Love Society

By: Vlady Peters

In America, last to arrive at the alter is the bride. In England she is first. But whatever the timing of the arrival, a wedding march has been part of the wedding ceremony ritual since the beginning of time.

Since the wedding party must arrive at the place where the wedding is to take place, the processional was inevitable, only it’s form has changed through the years. And while the progressive bride might think she’s doing something rather unique by arriving in a horse-drawn carriage, progressive brides of the past have been known to arrive at church on horseback, veil and hair streaming behind her.

The less affluent, or perhaps more conservative, tended to walk to the church surrounded by friends, family, and a few special people who would give a touch of class to the whole proceeding.
These touches would come in the form of children dressed in silks and satins, and conveying a practical symbol of fertility. The symbol of fertility would be further underscored by the older guests who might carry garlands of wheat or even a cake. While informal in its aspect, it had all the meaning of the current, well-rehearsed, wedding march.

Above all, the processional meant a lot of noise as talented guests beat their drums, squeezed out piercing melodies out of their bagpipes, and fiddled away to their hearts content.

Unlike today, the wedding march procession tended to collect more and more participants as it progressed. Like vampires drawn to warm blood, farmers, tradesmen, shopkeepers, their hands still full of their occupation, would join the noisy crowd. Many of the lucky symbols thrown at the unsuspecting couples included corn or wheat or, indeed, any sort of seeds being planted. Caught up in the moment, there would also be the odd horse shoe or even nails, by the blacksmith interrupted amidst his labours.

While it was a lot of fun for the bride and groom to make their event known far and wide by the noise that accompanied them from home to church, it was actually as practical a gesture, as it was a decorative one. If somewhere in the future one of the spouses were to suggest that perhaps the marriage had no legitimate status, the other spouse could call upon dozens of people who could swear on a stack of bibles that they had seen the wedding, heard the wedding, and had even been part of the wedding.

Vlady Peters is an Australian Civil Marriage Celebrant authorised to perform marriages in Australia. She also perform general ceremonies such as Baby Naming, Renewal of Vows and Commitment Ceremonies. To learn more about her as a celebrant and an author visit vlady at http://www.weddings-celebrant.com

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By: Vivian Gordon

As we hear the music begin to play the Bridal March, we all
stand to welcome the new bride as she walks down the
aisle in her white gown looking perfect, not a thing out of
place.

Not too long ago, I saw a photo of a bride on her wedding
day getting ready to make this once in a life time journey
down the aisle. But something wasn’t quite right, in one
hand she held a cigarette and in the other she was taking a
swig out of a bottle of whiskey. It made me think about how
we are going to present ourselves to Christ when we
become united as His Bride and He as our Bridegroom.

It goes without saying that a bride is always prepared. She
puts so much thought and effort into this day, that there
should be no room for surprises.

Rev. 21:2 says; “the bride has prepared herself.”

What kind of preparations must we be making in our own
lives that we should be made worthy of coming to Christ?

For one thing, in order to take on the responsibility of
marriage, we must be mature. In our walk of faith, we must
first grow up and not stay a child. We should make an extra
effort to grow up and be mature in Christ so that we will be
ready to receive Him. It’s true that we are all children of the
King, but it’s only the ones who are mature who will get the
car keys! Maturity is the key to this kind of anointing in the
kingdom.

How do we get to this point? It takes serious preparation on
our parts. To receive God’s glory and anointing, we first have
to die to ourselves. This means we must give up all our
carnal desires and sacrifice our wills to conform to His Will.
This is the only way through the veil of Christ in which to
enter into the Holy of Holies. God cannot look upon sin, that
is why He washes us clean as snow in the blood of His
Son.

The book of Esther is a beautiful example of how one
unsuspecting woman was chosen by God “for such a time
as this” to be in the right place at the right time. It’s not that
she was better than anyone else, she was obedient and
sacrifices her self will in order to come to the king.

This book is not just a story, but a representation of being
the Bride of Christ, or the church. Esther 2:8-10 represents
how we too must learn to allow the government of God to
rule over our lives in order to be anointed. Esther was
literally anointed with special oils and perfumes to be
purified.

God is a God of order, everything signifies something
important, especially numbers. Esther spent 12 months
getting ready, the number 12 represents the divine
government, God’s ruling. She submitted herself and
allowed God to govern this preparation in His time. Esther
had 7 maids which represents perfection and
completeness. Rev. 1:4 speaks about 7 Spirits and 7
Manifestations. The 7 Spirits of God are: Life, Truth,
Adoption, Holiness, Grace, Supplication, and Glory. These 7
Spirits are the 7 purifications of the Bride of Christ.

We as Christ’s disciples must first soak in God’s glory, in
His presence just as Esther did in the oils and perfumes.
She spent 6 months soaking in myrrh. The number 6
represents the flesh, and the myrrh was used in burial
ceremonies. Esther had to die to herself. Then she spent
another 6 months soaking in the oil, which represents the
Spirit of God. This brings healing, completeness.

If we are to be the Bride of Christ, then it only makes sense
that we prepare ourselves in the same fashion as Esther.
Once we have entered into the gates, it only makes sense to
desire to go into the Holy of Holies. This is where we seek
God’s face, not just His hand. But in order to approach this
place, we must be prepared to minister to God and not the
other way around. This the place where we no longer ask
God to do for us, but what we can do for Him! Unless we
become willing to make sacrifices, we will always remain in
the outer courts, and not much happens out here.

It was Esther’s desire to attend to her king and ask, “What
can I do for you?” She was not getting ready to make
demands on him. In being a mature Christian, we know that
it’s not about us, it’s ALL about Him and the role we play in
this marriage ceremony. Once you have entered into the
Holy of Holies, you don’t feel the need to ask God for
anything, because you know that He already knows all your
needs and is prepared to give them to you. It will become an
automatic response to give Him all the praise, honor and
glory.

In the Old Testament, the aroma of the burnt sacrifices were
a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord. This is how He
determined who would pass through the veil where He
inhabited. No carnal flesh could enter into this sacred place.
Today it’s still the same, we can not enter in as long as we
are carnal, it takes sacrifice, obedience and alot of
preparation to come into the presence of God.

Another important number to consider is the number 10.
This represents our human responsibility. Esther 2:16-17
says she was taken into the royal house on the tenth month.
The king desired her just as God desires us today. She took
the responsibility upon herself to be restored and ready for
her king.

“Have the boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of
Jesus. By a new and living way, which He has consecrated
for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh. Let us draw
near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies
washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22 (Amplified)

The veil is the body of Christ and we must pass through
Him in order to get to God. Just as a bride ministers to her
husband, we too must minister to God. If we submit like a
wife should, there is NOTHING that our groom won’t do for
us.

“Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave Himself for it. That He might sanctify and
cleanse it with the washing of the water by the Word.”
Eph.5:25-26 (Amplified)

A glorious church, (you and me) and not just one that is
anointed is one without spot, blemish or wrinkle. It must be
holy. It is the combination of anointing and glory that
removes all spots, blemishes and wrinkles which result in
no sin.

Why not make a conscience effort to decide that from this
day forward you will strive to live a holy, upright and
righteous life before the day of your wedding ceremony with
Christ. Make a point to live holy from the heart and seek His
face. Be prepared on the day you walk down the aisle and
look into the face of your bridegroom, Christ. The wedding
banquet prepared afterwards is going to be a one of a kind
experience. All are invited but not everyone will be attending.
Many are called, but few are chosen. Will your
name be on this invitation?

Vivian Gordon is called by the power of the Holy Spirit to
write inspirational articles to help open the spirital eyes and
ears of those who need to hear and see. She dedicates her
life to not only hearing the Word, but doing it as well. It is her
desire to be a beacon of light to those who may be in the
dark. Also called to be a prayer intercessor and warrior to
bring health and healing into lives of others that don’t know
how to pray for themselves. God has given her many gifts in
which to serve Him.

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