This past week I met with my dear friend, Tammy Knox. I'm not sure what prompted a reading of this post, but in light of the events of the past year, it was especially meaningful. Take heart, beloved, if you have been tattered and torn in standing for the Truth of God's Word! You are not alone. The Bridegroom awaits... (7 May 2017)
By the way, if you are so inclined, look up the meaning of the white rose.
By the way, if you are so inclined, look up the meaning of the white rose.
I awakened several times this morning in the midst of a chaotic and disturbing dream. Each time I awoke, I breathed a sigh of relief, as I realized I had only been dreaming. Each time I drifted back to sleep however, the dream continued. At last it seemed to be at an end. I knew I must get up and record what I could recall of the dream. It seemed somehow too persistent and symbolic to simply be a ‘normal’ dream...
It was a nightmare really, but not your classic nightmare. I will write quickly, as some of the details are fading…
I found myself in the midst of preparations for a wedding of great magnitude and importance. A venue had been constructed specifically for the purpose of this wedding. No expense had been spared. The building was massive, but without walls, and open to the outside. The towering staircase in the center was precisely constructed of perfectly polished marble, but strangely the color of the marble, as well as the style of architecture seemed to change randomly as I descended from one level to another. In and of themselves the components were exquisite, but viewed together, a tacky mish-mash. There seemed to be no cohesive design.
When I reached the bottom of the staircase a few guests were beginning to arrive. I noticed a table upon which random decorations had been placed. A few flowers lay in boxes. I knew I had to put together a bridal bouquet, but the blossoms were leggy and did not fit together well. I simply could not manage an acceptable arrangement. Almost despairing, I found a single white rose, thinking to myself, “This is not adequate for such a momentous occasion, but it will have to do.”
On the table, in the jumbled heap of decorations I also noticed an unopened box of brand new, brightly colored lanterns, and wondered if they were for the bridesmaids to carry. Then I realized I hadn’t seen the bridesmaids…they should have been here by now! And where was the Bride???
No seating had been arranged, so the guests were milling about amongst a large cast of strange characters who seemed to think they had some part in the wedding ceremony. I looked at the clock and saw that it was five minutes before five o’clock…only five minutes to go!
Strange music began to play, it was unfamiliar and barely audible. Then, out of the corner of my eye just to the right, I saw a garishly dressed woman, cavorting about…attracting attention to herself. ‘Is that the Bride?’ I wondered. Then another provocative woman rose to the forefront, capturing the attention of the unsettled guests. This continued, while all around us something akin to a carnival, or a pantomime was taking place. I was horrified, realizing that a mockery was being made of a sacred occasion.
Then I saw her. The Bride appeared some distance away. No one attended her, sadly no one seemed to even notice she had arrived. Relieved, I ran to meet her and help in any way I could. As I approached, I noticed she was dressed in a glorious white gown, fitting for the occasion. Somehow it seemed right that she would carry a single white rose. I looked more closely then, and saw that her beautifully styled hair was looking misshapen and bedraggled, wisps falling down here and there. I tried to re-pin it (I am no expert in hair) and saw that her once lustrous tresses were thinning. This Bride had struggled and suffered in waiting for her Groom…
As I awakened the last time, I felt impressed to reflect upon the dream and to write it down. I also noticed that a long-forgotten Michael Card song had sprung to life from somewhere in the distant past, and was now playing in my head:
“Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Salvation and honor and glory belong to our God
Amen!
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
See now, the one who corrupted the earth is condemned!
Death for the dark adulteress
Destroyed at last forever
By His judgments just and true
He has avenged the blood of His saints…
The wedding of the Lamb has come
The Bride has made herself ready
And she shall wear linen bright and clean
Woven of the faithful acts of the saints…”
(From ‘Hallelujah’, Unveiled Hope; Michael Card 1997)
It was a nightmare really, but not your classic nightmare. I will write quickly, as some of the details are fading…
I found myself in the midst of preparations for a wedding of great magnitude and importance. A venue had been constructed specifically for the purpose of this wedding. No expense had been spared. The building was massive, but without walls, and open to the outside. The towering staircase in the center was precisely constructed of perfectly polished marble, but strangely the color of the marble, as well as the style of architecture seemed to change randomly as I descended from one level to another. In and of themselves the components were exquisite, but viewed together, a tacky mish-mash. There seemed to be no cohesive design.
When I reached the bottom of the staircase a few guests were beginning to arrive. I noticed a table upon which random decorations had been placed. A few flowers lay in boxes. I knew I had to put together a bridal bouquet, but the blossoms were leggy and did not fit together well. I simply could not manage an acceptable arrangement. Almost despairing, I found a single white rose, thinking to myself, “This is not adequate for such a momentous occasion, but it will have to do.”
On the table, in the jumbled heap of decorations I also noticed an unopened box of brand new, brightly colored lanterns, and wondered if they were for the bridesmaids to carry. Then I realized I hadn’t seen the bridesmaids…they should have been here by now! And where was the Bride???
No seating had been arranged, so the guests were milling about amongst a large cast of strange characters who seemed to think they had some part in the wedding ceremony. I looked at the clock and saw that it was five minutes before five o’clock…only five minutes to go!
Strange music began to play, it was unfamiliar and barely audible. Then, out of the corner of my eye just to the right, I saw a garishly dressed woman, cavorting about…attracting attention to herself. ‘Is that the Bride?’ I wondered. Then another provocative woman rose to the forefront, capturing the attention of the unsettled guests. This continued, while all around us something akin to a carnival, or a pantomime was taking place. I was horrified, realizing that a mockery was being made of a sacred occasion.
Then I saw her. The Bride appeared some distance away. No one attended her, sadly no one seemed to even notice she had arrived. Relieved, I ran to meet her and help in any way I could. As I approached, I noticed she was dressed in a glorious white gown, fitting for the occasion. Somehow it seemed right that she would carry a single white rose. I looked more closely then, and saw that her beautifully styled hair was looking misshapen and bedraggled, wisps falling down here and there. I tried to re-pin it (I am no expert in hair) and saw that her once lustrous tresses were thinning. This Bride had struggled and suffered in waiting for her Groom…
As I awakened the last time, I felt impressed to reflect upon the dream and to write it down. I also noticed that a long-forgotten Michael Card song had sprung to life from somewhere in the distant past, and was now playing in my head:
“Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Salvation and honor and glory belong to our God
Amen!
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
See now, the one who corrupted the earth is condemned!
Death for the dark adulteress
Destroyed at last forever
By His judgments just and true
He has avenged the blood of His saints…
The wedding of the Lamb has come
The Bride has made herself ready
And she shall wear linen bright and clean
Woven of the faithful acts of the saints…”
(From ‘Hallelujah’, Unveiled Hope; Michael Card 1997)
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