Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand-- Joel 2:1This is an alert - I am sounding the alarm! Awaken and watch with me!
But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.13 This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves.15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death.17 All men will hate you because of me.18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By standing firm you will gain life. Luke 21:12-19 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. John 15:18I invite you to draw nearer to Him and be willing to accept the hatred, jealousy and wounding our Lord receives to this day - and receive his joy and strength.
So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh.22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called `woman, ' for she was taken out of man." Genesis 2:21-23The last Adam's side was pierced and his pierced side was displayed as a sign of resurrection in his glorified body. After the pattern of the first Adam and his bride, so the body of the last Adam has been caused to fall into a deep sleep - and while in such a state as that, the Bride will be removed by resurrection into a glorified state.
So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. I Thes. 5:6I do also foretell, if that is to tell of or indicate beforehand, but not at this time to tell about something beforehand by or as if by supernatural means. Nor do I prophesy if that is to predict with certainty as if by divine inspiration.
What I say to you, I say to everyone: `Watch!' Mark 13:37Now, let me say that what I may do at any point in the future may be different from what I have done and do now. Should the Lord appoint me to prophesy by speaking forth his words as "Thus saith the Lord," I pray I would have the good sense and courage to do so. There are prophets. (I Thes. 5:20: do not treat prophecies with contempt.)
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:19What is this mystery if not about the Bride and how she is distinctly separate from the body - subject to and completely willing to be led even to death by her Lord and master? And about the fact that she alone will be awake and watching as the Bridegroom comes to steal her away. And about how she is prized above all others.
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. 4 He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love. 5 Strengthen me with raisins, refresh me with apples, for I am faint with love. 6 His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me. 7 Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you by the gazelles and by the does of the field: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires. 8 Listen! My lover! Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills. 9 My lover is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look! There he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice. 10 My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. 11 See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. 12 Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. 13 The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me. Song of Solomon 2:3-13