EPILOGUE ~ THE MEMOIRS OF A BRIDE: A Prophetic Picture of The Bride of Christ Getting Ready

EPILOGUE ~ The Analogy of Peggy’s Testimony and the Bride of Christ Getting Ready

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Revelation 19:7-9 ~
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come
and His bride has made herself ready.”
It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean;
for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Then he *said to me, “Write,
‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’”
And he *said to me, “These are true words of God.”

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Greetings Everybody.  

This is the final post in what I have called “The Bridal Series” .  I hope you have enjoyed reading Peggy’s journey as a bride.  There are many analogies of her journey, that gives us a prophetic picture of the Bride of Christ getting ready.  Peggy has graciously put together a summary of her testimony as it relates to the Bride of Christ getting ready.  The following are some of the highlights of  her summary.

Please grab a cup of hot fresh coffee or tea, help yourself to a piece of chocolate (or several), as we read the summary.  There is a link to the entire series at the bottom of this post, so you will be able to share this message with your friends, family members and anybody else you can think of.  Time is short and we MUST be ready for the coming of our King Yahshua.  

Blessings & love to all, with a big ole hug,  Sis Linda

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SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS:  Analogy of Peggy’s Testimony and the Bride of Christ Getting Ready

 

~ I was introduced to Mr.D. at the young age of eight years by my Father.  I see this symbolism in the two: my Father is a symbol for the Heavenly Father and Mr. D. is a symbol for “The Son,” “Jesus,” or “The Kinsman Redeemer.”

“No one can come to Me (Jesus) unless the Father who sent Me draws him.”
(John 6:44)

~ The first meeting of Mr. D. consisted of just the presence of My Father, Mr. D. and me; this reminds me of our initial meeting with Jesus as being personal and basically private.

~ Mr. D. sent an encouraging note regarding my work. In the same way, Jesus encourages us on our journey as we are receptive to Him. Mr. D. became a teacher to me at the young age of eleven. He taught an important life-skill, reading. In the same way Jesus teaches us indispensable lessons through His Word. He is a teacher and He is The Word.

And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

~ At age eleven, somehow I instinctively knew that there was something very
special about Mr. D. and also that he would be my earthly Bride-groom eventually, even many years (actually it turned out to be 50 years) later. In the same way, we sense something very special when we learn about Jesus, even at a very young age. We also know from the Ancient Jewish Wedding that children can be engaged (betrothed by arrangement of the fathers) when they are as young as 3 years old, or even before they’re born.

 

“Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.” (Ephesians 1:4)

 

 

 

~ Every meeting with Mr. D. was very memorable, to the point that I often remembered the clothes that I had on at the time. In the same way, our encounters with Jesus in His Word become very memorable. The very Words are “sharper than any two-edged sword”! I was drawn to Mr. D. by the “fruit” or wonderful behavior that I observed consistently when in his presence in a variety

of situations.        “By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matthew 7:16)

 

~ Mr. D. was always very quick to participate in ecumenical Spiritual activities.  That is a type and shadow of Jesus choosing a Bride from a wide variety of groups
of people. His Bride will consist of people that are 100% fully “in Him.” They will be comprised of all nationalities, races, and denominations from the entire world.
There will probably very soon be a true underground consisting of the above, as well as a visible apostate, compromising church consisting of the above.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

~ Mr. D. was often in contact with my Father. They worked together at the High School and they were often together in my Father’s church. In the same way, our Heavenly Father is “always there.” Jesus was also there from the beginning of time.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1)

~ At age 11, I felt “proud” of Mr. D., just like we feel “proud” to be associated with Jesus, our Savior, from the time we first truly surrender all of our life and plans to His will, mind, body, and spirit. We want to express our “pride” in who that person is to others.

“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32)

~ In High School, Mr. D. presented me with many opportunities to develop various abilities in special ways. Mr. D. saw that I was a receptive and diligent student, so he rewarded me with special opportunities. In the same way, Jesus “promotes” and rewards us for being diligent about His rules and immediate obedience to His assignments.

 

“Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight.”

(Hebrews 13:20-21)

 

~ I described my High School graduation, my white gown, and some awards that I received upon graduation. In the same way, if we have made a sincere decision to receive Jesus in our short stay here on earth, and have diligently sought to maintain a clean walk with Him according to the rules in His Word, then we will “graduate” to Heaven right after our last breath here. We will receive a white robe covering through the imputed righteousness and the shed blood of Jesus, our Savior. It is impossible to enter Heaven through any righteousness of our own.At the Bema Seat of Christ, we will receive rewards according to how we fulfilled the purpose here that was our designated part, whether great or small. That part was always under His direction just like the High School Instrumental Concerts were “under the direction” of my Father.

“And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain — for He says, “AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU.” Behold, now is “THE ACCEPTABLE TIME,” behold, now is “THE DAY OF SALVATION “.
(2 Corinthians 6:1-2)

~ At various times, I experienced opposition in varying degrees about speaking enthusiastically of Mr. D. to others. I always remembered my Father’s very reliable opinion and that remained, “He is a very honorable man, and he was your SAVING GRACE.” (There’s a prophetic picture of
God speaking of His Son.) I also stuck with my own inner promptings by the Holy Spirit regarding him.

I learned to associate with those that supported my respect, which later grew into deep love for him. Isn’t this the same kind of thing we will encounter as we express our love for Jesus in public?

“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:19)

~ Mr.D. continued to show up in my life all through the years. This is just like Jesus. He wants us with Him in Heaven. It grieves Him that anyone would not accept His free gift of Salvation and end up in hell. He keeps showing up in our lives, giving us many different opportunities to turn fully to him, but He is never pushy or controlling.

That would violate our gift to choose, the gift of free will. If we didn’t have the option to choose Him or not, love would not be involved. Control would be, though. Jesus is not like that!

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

~ At my College Senior Recital, I played a sophisticated American Music Composition that had a surprise ending at various phrases of the first four notes of “HERE COMES THE BRIDE.” What a prophetic picture of the times that we are now in. Of note is that both my Father and Mr. D. were in attendance. It is prophetic that “The Bride” will be taken and will come back with Jesus in the Second coming as quite a Surprise. We must be prepared and ready every day!

“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:12-13)

~ In the summer of 2012, Faye Aldridge came into my life through e-mail and phone. She is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, that unnamed Servant that seeks to lead us to Christ.

I believe there are several symbols of the Holy Spirit in my testimony; several people that could fit that symbol very well. Faye led me to her book “Heaven Rules” which in turn led me to consuming large amounts of “The Word” practically daily for the next few years. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was preparing as part of the “Bride of Christ” the portion of the Jewish Wedding Preparation known as “Ritual Immersion” or cleansing. I was washing daily in “the water of the WORD,” and I was being purified and cleansed, all the while experiencing more and more of God’s favor in very unexpected ways!

“In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld His glory, a glory as of an only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

Do you see that? Jesus is “The Word.” Before He was called “Jesus,” His Name was “Word”

~ This daily cleansing [in the Word] eventually led to much conviction by the Holy
Spirit that I really wanted that “narrow walk” with Jesus more than ever!

I want to make the point, that although the “Ritual Immersion” is a portion of the Jewish Wedding, I think as it relates to our lives, it must be and ongoing practice!

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)

~ Jim and I were wonderful friends. I think he liked our conversations in general, but I’m sure I really made him scratch his head, sometimes. Once in a while he would say, “One life to live and then comes the Judgment.” I used to consider him a little narrow-minded on some topics, such as that one. One time, I even told him flat out that I didn’t believe in a hell. WELL – All I can say is that I was BLIND, but now, praise God, I SEE! How were my eyes opened? Daily time in the Word and the resultant work of the Holy Spirit in leading me to custom-made opportunities with books, people, and situations. As a result, I came face to face with my dire need for a personal Savior.

Without Him, I was headed to an eternity in hell without Him or any other attributes of God. He is the only way. I also recognized my daily dependence on Him!

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)
~ Continued washing in the water of the Word led me to a very anointed fellowship. It perfectly astounded
me. The Holy Spirit was allowed to have His way. The Pastor had much personal supernatural experience as a result of the Word and she cherished it like no-one else I ever met except Faye Aldridge. The gifts of the Spirit were in operation, and we were being trained according to subjects that God specifically ordered for the group. We were being trained up for “such a time as this.”

Healing miracles and deliverance happened there regularly. Speaking softly in the Heavenly Language was common among most people there.

“Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:11-13)
~ My story included marriage preparations that needed to be completed in a limited amount of time; 

This is the spiritual position that many of us are in today. During my wedding preparation time, I found my groom bestowing upon me increasingly and delightful special meaningful attention!

I also saw the preparations progressing very smoothly, even to the point of being quite enjoyable. I was fully devoted to my groom as he was to me. This is all a prophetic picture of us with our Heavenly Bridegroom.

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” (Revelation 19:7-8)

~ When entering the restaurant for the Wedding Supper, I wore a heavy Black coat over my beautiful white wedding gown. Thankfully, my Matron of Honor, Linda prompted me to take off the black coat; that symbolizes the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I obeyed, and took off the black garment of heaviness, and was left with a pure white garment of supreme elegance for a joy to walk the length of the restaurant to the Marriage Supper.

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Isaiah 61:3)
~ A part of my bridal attire, I wore pearls around my neck, with a matching headband of pearls in my hair. I chose to do that for four reasons:
1) My birth name, Peggy, means “pearl.”
2) The first sentence of Scripture to be read in the Ceremony was: “When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls,” (Proverbs 31:10)
3) “When he found one priceless pearl, he went and sold everything he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:46)
4) “And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, with each gate consisting of a single pearl.” (Revelation 21:21).

May we diligently seek to find and hold on for dear life to that “Pearl of great price”!

 

 

~ The Honeymoon was at a place called “The Mansion.”
“In My Father’s house there are many mansions. And if not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” (John 14:2)

 

 

 

~ Finally, please take your preparation for your Heavenly Bridegroom very seriously. Make sure your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and work diligently for the Kingdom in the short time we have left to work!

“Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)

 

Thanks for reading, and I am counting on seeing you all at the soon-coming Marriage Supper of the Lamb!

Love In the Mighty Name of Our Soon-Coming Messiah, Jesus,
Peggy (and Jim)

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

~ The Father,the Son, and the Holy Spirit

~ The Word of God

~ My God-given earthly bridegroom, Jim as well as God-given earthly parents, sibling and their families, extended family, and Godly friends.

~ Linda Clay, hostess of the wonderful and informative BelieveActs2 Blog for asking me to participate in this project, as well as her awesome formatting and addition of pictures, all chosen by the Holy Spirit, that
made my articles look like they had been transformed by the time she finished. It’s like my articles each received a “resurrected body”! That’s another prophetic picture, at least for me! Linda’s prayerful intercession for this project as well as keen guidance from the Holy Spirit was invaluable!

~ Symbols of the Holy Spirit in the Story: Faye Aldridge and Debra Walker, as well as Jolie Vogliardo for her invaluable abilities as an intercessor and prayer warrior. Also to Pastor Debra Groller and the Covenant Messiah Church for fantastic Bible-based teaching and fellowship.

~ Symbols of Angels in the Story: Especially the manifold comment participation of Stig-ove from Finland, J.C., Michael, Vicki, Kenzel, Faye, Karin, and Linda H. Your comments helped to amplify and bless the story! Three angels that encouraged me prior to and around the time of my wedding: Christine, Deb, and Terri.

~ Additional Angels in the Story: All others that commented even once and all those that read the story in part and full, even without commenting. All of those that shared the story with others by forwarding links.

~ More Angels: Dedicated Warriors in the Body of Christ in America and Canada: Deekay Warrior, James Bailey and Z3news authors and commenters, and finally, Bette and John Stevens as well as Patrick.
I have been highly blessed by all of you!

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”
(Philippians 1:3)

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HERE IS THE LINK TO THE PAGE THAT HAS THE ENTIRE “BRIDAL SERIES”:

https://believeacts2blog.wordpress.com/the-memoirs-of-a-bride-a-prophetic-picture-of-the-bride-of-christ-getting-ready/

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