I have been reading several books and the latest one I started is written by Jill Shannon titled “The Seduction of Christianity” (Shannon, 2010), and I wanted to capture a portion of that book which really leaped off the pages at me. It is a very beautiful reflection on marriage with a far deeper understanding of the last supper. I hope it is as meaningful to you as it is to me.
The following quote appears here with Jill’s permission, and with thanks to Destiny Image Publishers.
In presenting this picture of the ancient Jewish betrothal ceremony, Jill has referenced Pastor Randy DeMain, who shared this message at the Shekinah Worship Center, Lancaster, CA in August 2009.
“When a young Israelite couple wished to become engaged, their fathers would make an appointment for a formal meeting of the two families at the house of the prospective bride. This meeting was a legal ceremony that included a sumptuous meal and the drinking of four ceremonial cups of wine. Each cup symbolized a stage of commitment and intimacy, leading up to the completion of their union at the time of the wedding. Part of this meal included the signing of a formal covenant.
On the day of the meeting the groom and his father would arrive at the house of the bride’s family and would knock on the door and announce their presence. If the bride recognized the voice of the groom and wished to accept this betrothal, she would open the door so that he could come in and dine with her. Opening the door was the language of saying ‘yes’ to the engagement. If she or her parents had changed their minds and did not wish to enter this betrothal process, she would simply not answer his knock on the door. Once they came in and began drinking the first three cups of wine, the commitment became more and more binding. Therefore, if she had changed her mind, it was better not to receive them into this formal meal. After a reasonable period, the groom and his father would realize that this girl no longer wished to become engaged, or to enter the covenants of this ceremony. Sadly, they would depart from her house.”
When the Lord tells His last days’ Church that He is standing at the door and knocking, He is showing Himself to be a Bridegroom in love, desiring to enter the intense covenant of betrothal. His father is with Him, waiting to enter the house of His prospective bride. He stands outside of a complacent church who is not passionately committed to this betrothal and who has not opened the door of intimacy with this man. She thinks she is rich and well clothed and has need of nothing. She feels content and satisfied and does not realize she is blind, naked, and needy.
The Lord Jesus, who loved and gave His life for this Bride with utmost devotion, cannot wed someone who remains in this state of self-satisfaction and lack of passion. The ideal match for him is a Bride who will enthusiastically embrace each stage of the covenant, sharing in the experiences of Servant-hood, Friendship, Inheritance, and, ultimately, Union.
If the bride were to open the door after the formal betrothal ceremony, the groom would depart to his father’s house for an extended period to construct a new apartment or addition for his bride to live with him. Completing this preparation may take as long as a year.
When the work on the home was finished, he would ask his father to inspect the premises. The father would then determine that his son had built a worthy and pleasant home for his new bride to dwell, and he would declare that his son was ready to travel to his bride’s hometown or country and bring her back in marriage. It is the father who determines when the Son should return for His bride.
Remember that at the Last Supper the Lord said that He would not drink from this cup (the final fourth cup in the Passover ceremony) until He would drink it anew with His Bride in His Kingdom. He is waiting for that cup until the joyful consummation, which He eagerly desires to share with us at the wedding supper of the Lamb.
In closing, I am thankful that Jill has permitted me to share this most important revelation of the marriage feast. I never saw this put together with such a visual representation of our union with Jesus during communion, and the expected marriage feast when He returns for His bride.
For more on Jill’s books, teachings, and worship music, go to her website at: http://coffeetalkswithmessiah.com/
Your brother in Christ
Michael “Mike” Kovach
Reference: Shannon, Jill, (2010). The Seduction of Christianity. 1st ed. Shippensberg, PA: Destiny Image Publishers, Inc.
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