Spring 2001
The Cry of our Heavenly Bridegroom
Sharon Carlson
Pinecrest Student

“… His Bride has made herself ready” Rev 19:7b

“… for the days of her preparation were completed
as follows: six months with oil of myrrh and six
months with spices…” Esther 2:12b.

For two thousand years, our heavenly Bridegroom has been waiting for the Bride to become fully prepared for her union with Him.

It may seem somewhat strange, or even uncomfortable, to think of our relationship with our Lord in such an intimate way. But, through the Spirit of God, there is a cry within the Church for closeness with Him. He is actively involved in drawing us closer.

“Draw me, and we will run after Thee. The King has brought me into
His chamber. We will be glad and rejoice in Thee.” Song of Solomon 1:4.

Do we have hers to hear the cry of the Lord? Recently, I have heard several prophetic pleads from His Spirit … “I cannot make you love Me, please love Me. I promise to never leave you. Please do not leave Me.” The cry of the Bridegroom is that the Bride will desire Him and will make herself ready.

Easter was chosen from among the most beautiful women to go before the King. She was required to go through a process for one year of separation, for her sanctification with myrrh and spices, in order to be ready to go into the presence of the one she was being prepared for.

Myrrh is a bitter plant used as an astringent, which tightens the skin and removes toxins, and which is used as an antiseptic to keep skin free from any soil. It is used to bring “deep cleansing” beneath the surface. The Brides garments will be woven with fine white linen (Rev 19:8), which is without spot or wrinkle (Eph 5:27). All this may sound nice, but the process can be painful, as is includes much scrubbing by the fuller’s soap (Mal 3:2). This is done using much steam (water of the word) and much pressure (from the hand of God).

We must not despise the chastening, scourging, and dealings of the Lord, as this is the unpleasant part of our being made ready. We must be willing to go though the process of the bitter of dying to self, in order to enter the process of becoming one with our Beloved.

The Lord often takes us through the wilderness before He will lead us beside the rivers of life and blessing, and into the large grassy fields of revelation and spiritual understanding.

Esther’s time had come to be presented to the King. She could choose to take whatever she desired for that meeting; yet Esther “required nothing, but what the Kings chamberlain appointed for her.” Let us not dictate to God what we require, but only yield ourselves to His chamberlain, the Holy Spirit, to prepare and present us as He appoints.

In this special day of preparation … He is working self out (myrrh) and working Himself in (sweet spices), so we will be ready in “that day.”