“For the LORD Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trump of God: And the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up to get with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air; and so shall we ever be with the LORD” (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).
The Old Testament gives us the story of Abraham, who sent his servant Eliezer to find a bride for his son Isaac, and the servant found Rebekah, which was written in Genesis 24:2-51. After Eliezer presented his Master’s will, Laban and Bethuel gave their blessing, they sent for Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go?” Then Rebekah replied with a resounding “Yes!”
God will never force anyone to say “I do” to Jesus Christ, because
God gives us free will. The Father is the only one who knows the time of Christ return for His Bride. Just as Isaac did not know the time of when Rebekah would be presented to him, only his Father knew that. This was mentioned in Mark 13:32.
The life of Abraham, Isaac, Eliezer and Rebekah represent an amazing image of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, the Holy Spirit and believers as the Bride, as described in both John 15:16 and 1 Peter 1:8.
“We love Him because He first loved us. The Holy Spirit woos and pursues us. So, why would the “King of kings and the Lord of lords choose us?” (1 John 4:19).
Rebekah was given jewels of silver and jewels of gold and clothing. Her brother and mother also received precious things, as mentioned in Genesis 24:53. In this case, a price was paid to the Father of the bride.
The concept of being purchased and belonging to another has a powerful spiritual inclination.
As the bride of Christ, we have been purchased with a very high price that was paid for us: the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
When Christ was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He wrestled with a price. “Father, if You be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground (Luke 22:42,44).
Christ saw the joy of each person who would accept the invitation of becoming His bride. The joy of seeking us all redeemed to be whole and pure as a beautiful spotless bride that was set before Him. This was also explained further in 1 Peter 1:18,19.
Since we no longer belong to this world, we are no longer slaves with our backs bent with no hope. Because when we say “Yes” to the Holy Spirit, we have entered into a covenant, which is an agreement sealed until the day of redemption.
To be concluded next week.
Ana Williams is a columnist for The Graham Star.