The Bride of the Messiah by Rav Sha'ul Allow me to discuss from a spiritual standpoint those consecrated ones, called out of the body as Eve (the Bride) was taken from the Body of Adam (the Church). The Bible never says the Bride is the Church.  The Church is the body.  The body and the bride are not synonymous.  The bride is TAKEN out of the body. The Bride of the Messiah are those that provide themselves the WEDDING GARMENT... the White Robe. The Bride of the Messiah shares a oneness and closeness with the Lord that is not shared by the rest of the family of God.  They are not conformed to this world... "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God". (Rom. 12:1-2). The Bride are those who (Revelation 19:7) make themselves ready for the Bridegroom.  We see multiple parables concerning this concept spoken by Yahusha in Matthew in the faithful servants, the WEDDING GARMENT, and the foolish virgins. Revelation 3:18, tells us to buy white raiment that we may be clothed and that the shame of our nakedness not appear. The white raiment is "the righteous acts and deeds" of the Saints. The word "buy" is used to show that it will cost the child of God to be among those who make up the Bride of the Messiah. A separated and surrendered life is costly, but how great will be the reward of those who dare to pay the price. Isaiah 55:1, speaks of buying without money. We do not speak of money; but the Christian who has purposed in his heart to live completely for the Lord Yahusha the Messiah knows that it costs plenty. It may cost a person friends; for many do not walk the separated way witnessing about the soon return of the Lord: "The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come.."(Rev22:17) Many Christians are not doing this; and hence, not part of the Bride. We will all give an account of our lives and be rewarded according to the good and bad we have done (see II Corinthians 5:10). Some do not serve the Lord and will suffer the loss of rewards. Those who have not provided themselves with a wedding garment will be spiritually naked. The Bride are those who give this life up, are sanctified and consecrated by the Lord for service.  They are "the very foundation of God on Earth".. they are the "warriors/soldiers" of the Lord.  They are the ones who have washed and put on the white robes. The best description I have found, I provide a commentary below.  They are the SEALED SERVANTS OF GOD: The Sealed Servants of God As End Time Saints living in the Tribulation we have a special role to play in God's Master Plan.  We can live this life up to the very last possible minute... and then take a stand for the Messiah and be martyred, we can pick up the sword and die, or we can strive to become Sealed Servants and live. This document is designed to provide guidance for those who whish to attain the highest honor as a saint... to become a Sealed Servant of God and live to see His second coming. The Bible speaks of several types of Seals.  Every saint is sealed with the Holy Spirit as a "down payment" guaranteeing salvation from the second death after judgment and eternal life.  Then the Bible defines those saints whom God "seals" as soldiers or warriors.  And finally, the Bible defines a special Seal for the 144,000 (12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel) who lead the re-unification of Israel in the last days. In this document, I lay the foundation as follows to become a Sealed Servant: Qualification of a Sealed Servant... God's Warriors A Soldier's Armor A Soldier's Motto The Battle Plan Qualifications of becoming a Sealed Servant of God... a Warrior for the King The Bible commands that in order to reign with the Messiah we must suffer with the Messiah and be willing to sacrifice this life, in order to serve our coming King.  We are "strangers in a foreign land" put here for a purpose.  Those who realize this crucial fact, act in faith on this truth, and strive to prove themselves to God can be sealed.  It is this seal that provides divine protection throughout the coming Great Tribulation. The Sealed Servants of God are defined in 2 Timothy Chapter 2: 1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in the Messiah Yahusha. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Yahusha the Messiah. 4 No man that warreth (Warrior) entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. 8 Remember that Yahusha the Messiah of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in the Messiah Yahusha with eternal glory. 11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. 14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of the Messiah depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. Here God lays out the qualifications of this seal as follows: Requirements of a Good Soldier/Warrior to win the Crown of Righteousness Commit yourself to faithful men, given the knowledge to train you. (vs. 2) Strong in the grace. (vs. 1) Unshakable endurance. (vs. 3) Untangled from the trappings of society. (vs. 4) Must fight according to the rules of war. (vs. 5) Have a keen understanding of all things (spiritual, historical, political) (vs. 7) Have a firm foundation in the resurrection of the dead (not the assumption of the living) (vs. 8) Be righteous with no sin... depart from iniquity (vs. 19) Description of the War the Sealed Servants/Warriors fight We battle on behalf of the Elect to save them from the New World Order and ensure their salvation (vs. 10) We must be prepared to suffer and die for our king in order to be proven worthy to reign with the King. (vs. 11-12) We must be prepared for the day when we must chose our King over ourselves. (vs. 12-13) Weapons of Warfare Key weapon: the spoken Word of God. (vs. 9) Masters of "Sword Fighting"... using the Word of God. (vs. 15) Speak the Will of God into your life before the Lord (vs. 14) DO NOT speak your will... speak His alone (vs. 14) Discernment... be trained to discern truth from a lie using the Word of God. (vs. 15) TAME YOUR TONGUE... it is the rudder of your ship and can destroy your life. (vs. 16-17) Defend the resurrection against false doctrines such as the hope of the rapture. (vs. 18) DO NOT err from the Truth of God. (vs. 18)... if you do, do not lead others astray with your false doctrines. (vs. 18) Description of a Sealed Servant/Warrior Must prove themselves before God.  When you have been proven, you will receive the seal. (vs. 19) Sealed Servants stand strong as the very foundation of God on Earth! (vs. 19) Not every saint is a Sealed Servant of God. (vs. 20) Sealed Servants are sanctified or set apart for special service to the King. (vs. 21) Demonstrate the Seal of the Holy Spirit by bearing good fruit. (vs. 22) Mature saints (vs. 22) - avoid stupid questions to pick arguments in order to prove their position. (vs. 23) Characteristics of a Sealed Servant/Warrior Righteousness before God (vs. 22) Faith in God (vs. 22) Charity toward others (vs. 22) Peaceful disposition, they do not STRIVE against God or STRESS OUT concerning End Events. (vs. 22) Gentleness toward the Elect when opposed during the course of battle. (vs. 24) Masters of Faith, qualified to teach Truth, Wisdom, Understanding, and train other warriors. (vs. 24) Patient, able to wait on the Lord for His timing. (vs. 24) Meek or humble not full of pride from the Seal.  Understanding that the Elect we battle for have been raised in false teachings and blind to the truth.  (vs. 25) A Soldier's Armor To survive the unimaginable tribulation a Sealed Servant will encounter during the Great Tribulation, a solid foundation is required as well as a healthy set of God's Armor as defined in Ephesians 6:10-18: 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Below is a helpful chart showing the relationship between the piece of armor and the Word of God: Piece of Armor   Knowledge Required to Strengthen Armor   Key Scriptures   Belt of Truth God Deut. 4:39; Psalms 23:1; 18:1-2 Breastplate of Righteousness Your personal righteousness before God Psalms 100:3; Rom. 3:23-24, 6:23; Gal. 2:20-21; Phil. 3:8-10 Sandals of Peace Inner peace, security, and readiness Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14; John 14:27, 16:33, 20:21 Shield of Faith Faith as to move mountains Rom. 4:18-21; Heb. 11:1; 1 Pet. 1:6-7 Helmet of Salvation Keen understanding that death is not the end and nothing to fear.  Yahusha has purchased you salvation from the second death. Each day: Ps. 16, 23; Heb. 1:3-6 For eternity: 2 Cor.4:16-18; 1 Thess. 4:17; 1 John 3:1-3 Sword of the Spirit... God's Word Knowing and being able to discern the truth from the lies, deceptions, and accusations. Heb. 4:12; Matt. 4:2-11; 1 Pet. 3:15; Ps. 119:110-112 A Soldier's Motto Spoken by a true warrior, not fearing tribulation, and definitely not looking to be raptured from it!  Instead ready and willing to stand against evil, the False Messiah, spiritual forces, and everything in between to battle his way through tribulation as a warrior for his King.  THAT is what I'm talking about!  No hope is found in the following motto to be raptured from our purpose here.  But rather his hope is exactly where the Bible defines our hope... in the RESURRECTION of the dead.  In other words, the Bible says be prepared to die, not prepared to be spared.  But know that you have been purchased and your resurrection is sure... and FEAR NOTHING! Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of the Messiah? Shall tribulation? Distress? Persecution? Famine? Nakedness? Peril? Sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are KILLED ALL DAY LONG; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the Love of God. Which is in Yahusha the Messiah our Lord! THAT is what the Bible means when it defines our hope as in the resurrection of the dead.  Those of you whose hope is in the rapture or assumption of the living need to re-evaluate your priorities.  And set your hope where the Bible tells you it should be... in the fact that you will die and will be resurrected.  It is through FEAR of tribulation that the false doctrine of the pre-trib rapture was formulated and it is completely un-Biblical.

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