INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PRAYER UNIVERSITY MATT AND DANA CANDLER COURSE: THE WAY OF INTIMACY Session 2. The Bridal Paradigm: Introducing the Bridal Paradigm I. WHAT IS THE BRIDAL PARADIGM? A. What is the Bridal paradigm of the Kingdom of God? The word paradigm means perspective or view. A person who puts on a pair of with blue lenses sees everything in shades and hues of blue. Everything they see is impacted by those blue lenses. Thus, we refer to the bridal perspective or view of the kingdom of God. We see the Kingdom through the eyes of a wholehearted Bride with loyal, devoted love for her husband. If we are not loved and in love, then we will compromise, lack courage and be spiritually bored. B. For the first time in history the Holy Spirit is universally emphasizing the Church s spiritual identity as Jesus Bride. John the apostle highlights that primary on the Holy Spirit s agenda is to reveal the church s bridal identity (who we are as His cherished Bride) that releases an authority in intercession so His power is manifest. The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!" (Rev. 22:17) it shall be, in that day," Says the LORD, "That you will call Me 'My Husband,' And no longer call Me 'My Master,' (Ho 2:14) C. God s desire for deep intimacy is expressed in many ways throughout scripture including the church s identity as an army, temple, family, body, priesthood, kingdom, and bride. The highest is expressed through the language of a bride and Bridegroom. The Scripture does not prophesy the Spirit and the family say, Come. Nor does it say the Spirit and the army, nor the kingdom, etc., but only the Spirit and the Bride. This revelation awakened the spirit of intercession in John as he cried, Even so, come Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20) D. The bridal paradigm of the kingdom is the lens whereby the church sees their call into an unprecedented relationship with God in the fullness of His glory and heart. It is a universal call into deep intimacy with God, transcending gender. 1. Sons of God - As sons of God, we are in the position to experience God s Throne as heirs of His power/authority (Rev. 3:21; Rom. 8:17). As the Bride, we are in position to experience God s heart (emotions, affections or desire for us). Both are unique positions of privilege before God. 2. Bride of Christ - As women are the sons of God, so also men are the Bride of Christ. Both describe our position of privilege before God rather than pointing to something that is intrinsically male or female. These privileges are far beyond anything the angels experience. This position of privilege transcends gender. Women are called sons of God as men are called the bride of Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:28)
Session 2. The Bridal Paradigm: Introducing the Bridal Paradigm Page 2 3. Most Christian women do not struggle with the idea of being sons of God because they do not see it as a call to be less feminine. Often, however, men struggle with being the Bride of Christ because they wrongly conclude that it is a call to become less masculine. They do not understand it as a position of privilege with God that enables us to encounter His heart. It is a call to experience the deep emotions of God s heart; this includes the supernatural ability to feel His desire for us. 4. Some of the greatest men of God functioned in the essential reality of the bridal identity. King David was Israel s greatest warrior king, yet he was a lovesick worshipper, ravished by God s desire for him and fascinated by His beauty (Ps. 27:4). One of the central issues of David s life, as a man after God s own heart, was in being a student of God s emotions and affections. John the apostle was called the Son of Thunder, and he described himself five times as the one whom Jesus loved (Jn. 13:23; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7, 20). John the Baptist was the fiery prophet that Jesus called the greatest man (Mt. 11:11). He understood Jesus as the Bridegroom God (Jn. 3:29). In other words, experiencing the reality of being the Bride of Christ does not undermine one s masculinity, but rather strengthens and establishes it. II. BRIDAL MESSAGE: INVITATION TO EXPERIENCE THE DEEP THINGS OF GOD A. As the bride we are called to experience the deep things of God s heart (emotions, thoughts). There is no relationship of greater intimacy and intensity than that of a husband and wife. B. Thus, to enjoy active intimacy with Jesus that includes understanding, agreeing, feeling, and partnering with His heart. The bridal message is about experiencing Jesus desire (affection, thoughts) for us. The Spirit searches (discerns) all things, yes, the deep (precious) things of God...12 we have received...the Spirit...that we might know (experience) the things that have been freely given to us by God (according to our hunger). (1 Cor. 2:10-12) "The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deut. 29:29) C. The Holy Spirit beckons us to enjoy intimacy with God by enabling us to experience the deep things of God. The Spirit discerns the deep things of God s heart (His emotions), mind (His plans) and power (His works in creation, redemption, New Jerusalem, etc) that we might know or experience them. God opens His heart so we can experience active intimacy with Him. D. Our inheritance and destiny in Christ is to go far beyond superficial Christian religion to experience intimacy with God's heart that energizes our heart with God s power (Eph. 3:16-19). 16 That He would grant you...to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that you 18 may be able to comprehend (experience) the width, length, depth and height-- 19 to know (experience) the love (affections) of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:16-19)
Session 2. The Bridal Paradigm: Introducing the Bridal Paradigm Page 3 E. God reveals God to the human spirit to awaken love in us. 26 I will declare it (Father s name), that the love with which You loved Me may be in them. (Jn. 17:26) F. There are five categories (though this is not an exhaustive list) of the deep things of God that have been freely given to the church. 1. Deep love - for the church and the lost. That you may be able to comprehend.what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge... (Eph 3:18-19) 2. Deep displeasure - in that which opposes His personhood and plans. Then He shall distress them in His deep displeasure (Ps 2:5) 3. Deep judgments and wisdom - administration of His plans, leadership of natural history. Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD (Ps 36:6)) Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom...of God! (Rom 11:33; see also Col. 2:3) 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col 2:3) 4. Deep thoughts - hidden plans of the mystery of God How great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. (Ps 92:5) 5. Deep knowledge - possesses vast info about all things and Himself. Oh, the depth of the riches of the knowledge of God (Rom 11:33) III. BIBLICAL OVERVIEW OF BRIDAL THEOLOGY A. God s Original Eternal Plan was a Bride for His Son: The Scriptures begin with the revelation of a type of the Bride (Gen. 1-2), the original design of the human race (Gen. 1:26-28; 2:18-24). The Scriptures end with the fulfillment of a glorious Bride (Rev. 19-22), which was the original call of Israel (Jer. 2:2; Ex. 19:5-8; Mal. 3:17; Rev. 21:2). B. The Bride Revealed in Jesus Earthly Ministry: Jesus Messianic ministry begins at a wedding (Jn. 2:1-12); Jesus is revealed by John the Baptist as a Bridegroom (Jn. 3:29); Jesus proclaims Himself as a Bridegroom (Mt. 9:15); C. Jesus Ends his Earthly Ministry with a Focus on the Bride: Jesus final public invitation (Mt. 22:1-14); Jesus final private training of His disciples (Mt. 25:1-13); Jesus final recorded intercession (Jn. 17:24-26); Jesus final recorded conversation (Lk. 23:43).
Session 2. The Bridal Paradigm: Introducing the Bridal Paradigm Page 4 D. Jesus Ministry After the Ascension: Jesus begins His first message (Rev. 2:4); Jesus reemphasizes His promise to the thief on the cross (Rev. 2:7); Jesus ends His first message (Rev. 3:20) E. Prominent Bridal Passages in the Old Testament Prophets: Is. 62; Hos. 1-3; Ez. 16-23; Jer. 2-3. F. Types (or prophetic pictures) of the Bride in the Old Testament: Eve (Gen. 1-3) - a suitable companion; Esther (Esther 1-10) - reigning over the enemy; Ruth (Ruth 1-14) - triumphing over hopelessness; Rebekah (Gen. 24) - partnership with the Holy Spirit. G. New Testament Bridal Parables: Mt. 22:1-14; Mt. 25:1-13; Jn. 2:1-12. H. The Bride as a Paradigm of New Testament Ministry: John the Baptist (Jn. 3:29); The twelve apostles (Mt. 9:15); Paul the apostle (2 Cor. 11:2-3); Jesus the King (Rev. 2:4; 3:20). I. Paul s Revelation of the Mystery of the Bride: Paul s experience (2 Cor.12:1-7); Paul s revelation (Eph. 5:31-32); Paul s commission (Eph. 3:8-11); Paul s intercession (Eph. 1:17-18); Paul s confidence in Jesus (Eph. 5:29). J. The Bridal Focus of the Holy Spirit s End-Time Activity: Hos. 2:16; Is. 62:4-5; Rev. 22:17; Eph. 5:27; Jn. 2:10; Song of Solomon 8:6-7; Jn. 16:12, 15. K. The Impact of the Bridal Revelation: John the Baptist s joy (Jn. 3:29); The Apostle John is overwhelmed (Rev. 19:10; 22:8); Jesus joy (Jn. 15:11; Isa. 62:5); Paul s intercession (Eph. 1:17-18); Josiah s reform (Jer. 2:2; 2 Chr. 34-35; 2 Kings 22-23). L. The Bridal Nature of the New Covenant: Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 10:16; Jn. 5:35; Lk. 24:32; Ex. 32:15-16; 31:18. M. Satan Desires the Bride s Position (Is. 14:12-14) 1. Lucifer: Light-bearer - Bride: Light of the world - Mt. 5:14 2. Satan: I will ascend into heaven - Bride: Seated in heavenly places - Eph. 2:6 3. Satan: I will exalt my throne above the stars (angels) of God. - Bride: To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. - Rev. 3:21 4. Satan: Sit among the congregation on God s mountain on the sides of the North. (North seems to be the assembly place in the eternal city.) - Bride: Saints on Mt. Zion on the sides of the North (Heb. 12:22-23; Ps. 48:1). 5. Satan: I will be like the Most High. - Bride: Destined to be like God - (Rom 8:28, Gen. 1:26; 1 Jn. 3:2; 1 Cor. 15:49)
Session 2. The Bridal Paradigm: Introducing the Bridal Paradigm Page 5 IV. THE BRIDAL PARADIGM: MOTIVATION FOR HAPPY HOLINESS A. All across the land, many of God s people are losing vision for radical, wholehearted obedience to Jesus. This loss is due in part to lacking the premier motivation for happy holiness. Most of us have probably been motivated to be given in holiness primarily through some form of fear or shame-based motivation. 1. Fear of Punishment 2. Fear of Missing Out (on revival or rewards) 3. Fear of Shame B. Secondary Forms of Motivation are Real and Valid - Hell is a true reality. We can experience real loss in our lives now and in the age to come by not fully responding to the Holy Spirit. Shame and embarrassment do lead to genuine pain when sin is exposed. All these arguments have their place. There is a time to warn people of hell, or that they may lose out and be disqualified in terms of their earthly mandate and ministry. C. Holiness Motivation: Married to the Bridegroom - The primary and most effective method of motivation is the way that the Lord Himself spoke through the prophet Jeremiah: Turn because I am married to you. God s heart burns with desire and longing for intimate fellowship with us. 14 Return, O backsliding children, for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15 And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. (Je 3:14-15) 1. One of the Lord s primary strategies is to change our primary motivation for pursuing holiness by revealing Jesus as our passionate Bridegroom who beckons us to return to Him. God s answer for correcting spiritual backsliding is by revealing our relationship to Him as a cherished bride. This is the Lord s highest way of empowering people to walk in wholehearted holiness with Jesus. 2. Additionally, the Lord s strategy is to raise up leaders like David who are after God s heart, who understand this motivation of holiness. V. BRIDEGROOM FOUNDATIONS AND PROGRESSIONS A. God of tender mercy (Ex. 20:6; Ps. 25:10, 42:8; Micah 7:18, Eph. 2:4) B. God of gladness (Zeph. 3:17; Prov. 8:30-31; Ps. 149:9; Ps. 16:11; Acts 2:26) C. God of burning desire and affections (Deut. 32:9; Is. 49:16; Jer. 31:3; Jn. 15:9, 17:23-24 D. God of jealous anger (Ex. 34:14; Deut. 4:24; Prov. 6:34; Zech. 8:2; Hag. 2:7; Heb. 11:5-6, 12:26) E. God of fascinating beauty (Is. 4:2; John 1; 1 Cor. 2:9-10; Rev. 4)