From Bed to Wilderness. Self-identity of the Bride
Who are you? There is such a thing as self-identification. This is the formation of a person’s understanding of himself. This is a specific human factor that is shaped under the influence of culture. Whom do you consider yourself?
And there is self-identity. And there is also such a thing as the loss of self-identity. A person can go through each stage of his development both safely and not. The transition from one stage to the next is a crisis. In a crisis, the ego of identity is challenged.
The Church, unfortunately, forgets that we belong to the Lord, we are owned by Him, we aren’t just citizens of a country. The Lord said to Adam, “Where are you?” In other words, this is also “Who are you?”
If today you are asked this question: “Who are you?” – What will you answer? Italian, oilman, housewife, Christian, woman, man… What is your identity? Who are you? If an Angel came to you, you would hardly tell him that you belong to some nationality. Most likely, you would answer him: “I am a sinner!”, or “I am a man in need of God”, or “I am a pilgrim in need of forgiveness!” You would identify yourself with the Angelic world as an eternal existence. But, unfortunately, our brothers and sisters are loosing this understanding.
What did John the Baptist say about himself when he was asked, who he was? “And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him: “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed “I am not the Christ.” And they asked: “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not”. “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered: “No.” Then they said to him: “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us: “What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of the one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD,” as the prophet Isaiah said” (John 1:19-23).
He didn’t say he was anyone’s son or where he came from. He gave God’s testimony about himself.
What did Paul call himself? “Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, to Timothy, a true son in the faith: “Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Timothy, 1).
Paul is an Apostle, and Timothy is a son in the faith.
Paul also welcomes: “To all who are in Rome beloved of God called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God the Father our Lord and Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7).
John, the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ, introdeuces himself: “I John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:9).
Nowhere does any of God’s people say that they belong to anyone. Nowhere do they say they have a political definement, because they are heavenly people. And the Church, which looses self-identity, becomes worldly, she looses the Holy Spirit and falls straight face into the mud.
“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes, which are scattered abroad, rejoice” (James 1:1)
“Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, brother of James, to those who are called sanctified by God the Father and presereved in Jesus Christ”. (Jude 1:1)
“Simon Peter, a bondservant and Apostle of Jesus Christ”. (2Peter 1:1)
Nowhere did the disciples call themselves Israelis, because they were not identified with the statehood.
Jesus – what did He say about Himself? Jesus was silent. “And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus saying: “Do you answer nothing? What is it these men testify against you? But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said: “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death” (Mark 14:60-63)
Son of Man. Jesus spoke of Himself like this, and He called us: “you are the sons of God.” A man of God can’t be bound to earth. He can not lose this – in thirst, in nakedness, in satiety – in every place he is a man of God. Where it “smells” of eternity, there will be answers worthy of heaven.
Revelations.
“The earth was on fire, it groaned from this and seemed to shudder. And the smoke rose up along with the groans into heaven. And from heaven came strong thunder and lightning, as if heavy rain was about to begin, to extinguish this alien fire and smoke on earth. It shall rain! And He will put out this fire!
“I see ruined and abandoned vineyards, in which there was desolation. The man of God looked at them and said that it should not be so, that they should be restored again. The man of God suggested that we first start with cleansing, then plow the ground, dig a well and start planting new trees. Some said that it was impossible, that everything was too desolate. To which the man of God said: “It is possible, you simply don’t have faith: you have not begun yet, but you are already talking about the impossibility. Try to start as you were told.”
I believe that the Lord is also judging the church today. This is the principle of God. When there are judgments on earth, open your eyes: first He judges the House of God. You missed the judgements at a certain point. So the Church was judged first. But this doesn’t mean she was moaning and feeling bad. Him leaving is a judgment, abandonment is also a judgment, apostasy – because of whom God left – is a judgment.
I want to speak prophetically about the path of the church for the next season.
One of the revelation stones. “By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him and did not find him” (Song of Solomon 3:1). The time of “bed” has passed. When it was good for us to bask in grace – some finished their Prayer House construction, some were able to repay debts for buildings; they preached that there would be full stadiums. Wake up! Is it revival to fill our congregations? What in you has not yet died, if you are so eager to receive this “respect”?!
The Beloved is not on the bed! He’s left! Where to? – On Mission! He didn’t leave to serve us. He has done enough for us.
“I will rise now, I will go abour the city, in the streets and in the squares, I will seek the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him” (Song of Solomon 3:2).
She went to seek. Where? About the city, in the streets, in the squares. But He’s left your city, you need to go further out. And everything we’ve gone to is our comfort zone. He’s gone beyond your comfort zone. He is calling us there today – where we have not been yet!
“The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said: “Have you seen the one I love?” (Song of Solomon 3:3)
She met the watchmen – not Christians at prayer, not friends on the way. She met enemies. They beat her. The church must go through restrictions, through pressure. She has to be able to suffer for Christ. Love must be tested. If you have not tested your beloved whether she is able while staying alone remain faithful, then you can’t be confident in her love. Eve betrayed Adam when he went away – she betrayed God, Adam and herself. Adam forgave her, but lost God.
The Lord will test His church today. You, who seek favor with people today who despise you. You walk around like a maid serving nobles. I met people, our glorious brothers and sisters, who held their honor high. What a high spirit they had! Raise your honor! Walk before the Heavenly God, and caesar will respect you! Pilate said, “Behold, the Man!” Because Jesus confessed the Heavenly Father. He was forced to execute Christ, but he respected Him. Pilate despised the Sanhedrin.
The Church asks the persecutors for help, but what can they give her? – Only abuse! The Bride of Christ should not ask from the earthly watchmen where her Lord is. But she asks her enemies, how she can find the Bridegroom, the Lord.
Today comes the time of distinct separation, contrast – the Lord will separate the True Bride from the unclean. This is the time of retribution both for wickedness and the reward for righteousness.
“Scarcely had I passed by them, when I found the one I love. I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him to the house of my mother and into the chamber of her who coceived me” (Song of Solomon 3:4). This is right. She moved away from them and immediately found Him. “Scarcely” is the speed – she finds him right there!
Three places where he was not: on the bed – He was not, in the familiar streets – he was not, and with the watchmen – He was not. He was beyond that – beyond this comfort zone. When the Bride departs leaves the earth, goes away from the earthly, she will find Him as she has never found him before.
It is written that “she held him.” That’s the grip of the Church – that’s the way to walk with the Lord. She wouldn’t let him go. When she finds Him, He will enter her chambers: He will dwell in our homes, He will fill our meetings like never before. We won’t have to seek Him.
He will be found by us once and for all and will not leave us.
These are new trees, this is the season of new people. I see the old believers are hopeless. They are degrading. They are old not in age but in spirit. They need rets. They don’t want anything, they are people without ambition. And people without ambition are people without dreams. Today, when the planet is smoldering from grief and desaster, there can be no rest for the Bride.
“I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or by the doers of the field: do not stir up nor awaken love until she pleases” (Song of Solomon 3:5).
There will be a time of rest, but this rest will not calm us, it will shine. We won’t have to call the Lord into our Prayer Houses. He will shine from within us, He will shine. This is what the Beloved wants – this is a merging.
“Who is this, coming out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the merchants fragrant powders?” (Song of Solomon 3:6). That’s who she is after the cleansing suffering. She couldn’t manipulate Him, because Jesus is no man of bed. Jesus is the Rider on the white horse. He is Victorious. And not a couch potato.
This is what expects us. There is a division happening. Some will seek for Him on the bed, will call to their Prayer Houses – it won’t work. Others will run around the cities – where they have already been, with their brochures – you will not find Him. And still others will begin to humiliate themselves before Caesar, as they have never humiliated themselves before. They won’t get it! You will understand that you’ve been seeking in the wrong place. The Lord will cleanse His Bride. She will be faithful to him.
Even those today who have stumbled – you have flirted with the devil – there is mercy for you. The Lord is speaking to you to get out of there. “Therefore, come out from among them and be separate yourself, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17). Make haste! Hurry!
“And you will cry out in that day because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves; and the Lord will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless, the people refused to obey to the voice of Samuel, and said: “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like other nations, and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.” And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the Lord. So the Lord said to Samuel, “Head their voice and make them a king.” And Samuel said to the man of Israel, “Every man go to his city” (1 Samuel 8:18-22).
If the church doesn’t accept God’s way, God doesn’t hear her. Who is he talking to? – God’s people that He is not going to answer. But the people refused to obey the prophet. They chose a king.
Three curses on the church that God will never bless.
The first is carelessness. When the church is aborbed with herself, serving her ego. It is written that “woe to those who are at ease on Zion.” How do you pray? Do you pray at all? If not, you are careless.
Indifference is the second thing. You are neither cold nor hot. This is indifference. God spits you out of His mouth. Since His Word was in your mouth – if you don’t preach the truth, then you are the one. Preach the truth of God if you are a preacher. What sermon have you prepared for today?
The third curse is cowards. Cowardice is a curse. Imagine that there will be cowards in heaven. No! No fearful person will go to heaven. Cowards have their part in the lake of fire! Cowards are as vile as thieves and adulterers. Therefore, this is also a cursed path that God will not bless.
Today the Church must get clothed in the position of the Bride that rises out of the wilderness. She doesn’t rise out of the city, but out of the wilderness, where she voluntarily entered. The Lord Jesus began His ministry from the wilderness. This was the first place where the Lord took Him before He performed His signs and wonders. As soon as the Spirit fell upon Christ, He led Him into the wilderness. Therefore, dear brother and sister, if you have not been there yet, you need to go there.
I’m talking about the wilderness of the Lord.
It is very important to take a position of holiness. When will you stop sinning? What must happen to you, what kind of trouble, in order for you to understand? How to stop you? Stop tempting the Lord! You crucify Him again. He needs to shed His Blood again. For each voluntary sin, Blood is shed – it is written: “Of how much worse punishment do you suppose, will he be thought worthy, who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the Blood of the covenant, by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?”(Hebrews 10:29)
Now is the time to stop! All means of grace are given. The Church can’t win the spiritual war in sin and dirt!
To take a stand means to return to personal relationships, to First love. The revelation of the judgments shows the true picture of what is happening.
To take a stand means to continue the mission. We must go further, demonstrate before heaven and earth that we are the saints of God. We need to rise above the ground, away from the smoke.
Remember that the judgment will begin with the House of God. And since judgments are now taking place on earth, this will not pass by. Notice now how everything starts to separate. There is an acceleration. Watch now. Nobody can give any guarantee. Christ must be made the Rock of salvation. Stop relying on Babylon.
Today is a dark time on earth, and God will shake all the nations. Retribution time will take all nations to shaking. Certainly, all nations will shake – first of all, through the economy, religious wars, lawlessness – until the Antichrist comes to rule, who will bring peace and security, but under him it will be impossible to think otherwise.
Yesterday we saw empty streets, we saw that it impossible to sell and buy without a code, and today we are even closer – we have come one giant step closer to the retribution. Brother rises against brother, wars and rumors of war, deseases, loss of morality, hard times … people will be proud, arrogant, money-loving – all this is about us.
The Church must be tested. One day, our brother prisoners gathered to receive a revelation of what awaited them. And when they opened what they received, it turned out that the Lord revealed to all of them that bonds were ahead for them. The brothers all went into bondage. The Lord there said that not all were pure, and that He would purify, leading through trials, and leading them into a victorious battle. And so it happened. They went through the bonds and came out. They were shown the Rider on a white horse, He went out to Harvest. And they overcame, they are already in eternity.
Will we overcome? In these trials – will we be able to endure in our faith? Will we pass the test? We are their children. Get cleansed if you’ve accepted a different gospel! Paul said that by many tribulations we will enter the Kingdom of God. The Lord said that they persecuted Him, they will persecute us too. But the Church must be able to suffer. If times come to suffer, one must go through them. He is a suffering Warrior!
Get ready to God’s visitations! God will visit His people. These are not pleasant goosebumps. These are painful things. Recognize the two olive trees that will torment everyone living on earth, they are already on their way. I speak in the spirit of these olives. These olive trees will speak with great power. Then they will be killed, and everyone will rejoice, send gifts to each other. But they will come alive, and people on earth will tremble because they will be immortal.
Apostolic movements in the spirit of these olive trees must rise today. The shortest formulation of the Apostolic movement is the Apostolic spirit and the prophetic spirit. Just as Paul and Barnabas stood and preached, ready to die, tore their clothes, shouted in the marketplaces, so must the prophets and preachers rise today.
Release your gift. As the pit opened up, and Samson drank, so these prophets – someone is losing his soul, leaving his gift. You’re losing your soul because you don’t prophesy. The Church prepares itself for the Encounter. Come, Lord Jesus!” The wicked can’t sing this. We desire His return! So the Bride is shouting to the Bridegroom – Come!