“THE BRIDE”
WITHOUT SPOT OR WRINKLE
NOT AN OLD PRUNE
BY BONNIE JONES
JANUARY 2020
I always pray and ask the Lord what He would have me share for the Word of the Month. And to my surprise He said He wanted to share something light and rather comical. So I’m hoping this sets the tone for this year. Although it is a bit comical, there is a real sense of seriousness to it as well.
The Lord said, “I’m coming for a Bride without spot or wrinkle not an old prune. My Bride will be glorious and she will possess resurrection life in abundance. She will be full of power and My glory shall shine through her. Her robe of righteousness will be radiant and the afterglow of her presence shall radiate the earth.”
He said, “You see the church at large still condemns the Bride and she is shunned in many circles. Some look at her with scorn and some try to replicate the patriarchs of old. I’m not interested in works of the flesh that drive her away into the desert of despair. No! Says God, I’m interested in a Bride who is willing to lay all things aside to spend time with Me, abandoned and free from man’s power to possess her.”
He concluded, “I’m coming for a Bride who loves Me – truly loves Me with all of her being. I’m coming for a Bride who loves Me apart from the world of flair, finance and familiarity. Amen.”
I believe that each day is one day closer to the Lord’s return. Although it may be a long way off the true Bride of Christ must continue drawing closer to the Lord. I believe we are getting ready to see the abandoned Bride filled with the glory of God. Then the power of His glory will radiate throughout the entire earth.
Recently the Lord spoke to me regarding His glory. He said, “My glory is the holiness of Myself that resides inside each Christian. It is Me! I am the hope of the measure of glory one manifests.” He said that there are four different measures of His glory. But the greatest measure comes to those who rest in Him because they know Him intimately. They have come to the mountain of God in purity of heart and allowed Him to measure them on His scale of righteousness and justice. They have forgotten themselves and poured their heart into His allowing Him to manifest in them. It is God’s glory, power and kingdom they possess. And they walk in the fullness of the kingdom authority that He promises to all believers.
WHAT ARE HIS BRIDE’S REQUIREMENTS?
1. SHE MUST BE ABANDONED TO HIM.
He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love [for love waved as a protecting and comforting banner over my head when I was near him]. (Song of Solomon 2:4 AMPC)
2. SHE MUST BE FREE FROM MAN’S POWER TO POSSESS HER.
As she conforms more and more to His divine nature “His will” is formed within Her. She is motivated by the Holy Spirit and therefore not intimidated by man’s criticism and misleading.
3. SHE CANNOT BE CAUGHT UP IN THE THINGS OF THE WORLD SUCH AS FLAIR, FINANCE AND FAMILIARITY.
For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh (craving for sensual gratification) and the lust of the eyes (greedy longings of the mind) and the pride of life (assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things) – these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. (1 John 2:16 AMPC)
Flair and finance – The Bride is not looking for fame and fortune. Her whole purpose for living is to do the will of Him who sent her.
Jesus said to them, My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent Me and to accomplish and completely finish His work. (John 4:34 AMPC)
Familiarity – One of the most difficult things a Christian deals with is a familiar spirit. Many are generational and therefore it appears normal and comfortable to agree with it. But wisdom will cause the Bride to recognize this spirit and rebuke it. Therefore it will no longer have a voice in her life.
These three things will cause her to become side tracked and/or stumble. They will prevent her from accomplishing the work God has prepared her to do.
4. THE LORD MUST BE HER FIRST LOVE.
The Bride is so in love with the Lord that she has no doubt who He is in her and who she is in Him. They have become one in spirit.
I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine. [She proudly said] I am my Beloved’s, and his desire is toward me! (Song of Solomon 6:3a and 7:10)
HER ATTRIBUTES WILL BE OBVIOUS.
- She will be glorious.
- The Bride will possess resurrection life.
- She will be full of power.
- The glory of God will shine through her.
- She’ll be robed in radiant righteousness.
- The earth will radiate from the afterglow of her presence.
In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11) and His joy is unspeakable and full of glory. (1 Peter 1:8) He is the measure of glory by His holiness in His saints. Therefore as they become one with Him, His glory is released in the earth and the whole earth is full of His glory. (Isaiah 6:3)
In the year that King Uzziah died, [in a vision] I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and the skirts of His train filled the [most holy part of the] temple. Above Him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two [each] covered his [own] face, and with two [each] covered his feet, and with two [each] flew. And one cried to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory! (Isaiah 6:1-3 AMPC)
Later the Lord said, “The wave of My glory that’s coming is so huge and so powerful no man can withstand it. All mankind will bow their knee. It’s the presence of My glory that releases the power of resurrection glory and from its midst creative miracles come. My presence is full of love and dominion of My kingdom. I am the life and My ways are truth. Amen.”
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations. (Psalm 145:13 NKJV)
There have been many prophetic words released in the past year as we were approaching 2020. And there’s been great expectation for numerous reasons. Prophetically this year begins a decade of “The Mouth” therefore the words we speak have power, both positive and negative. So it is vital how and what we say. 1 Peter 4:11 tells us, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
I’m excited to witness the Bride coming forth in full array of God’s glory possessing resurrection life and power to create miracles. Watch as she steps out from behind the veil possessing the holiness of God to receive kingdom dominion that radiates the earth.