The Bride of the Lamb of God: the Shulamite Bride, the Beloved Church

The Bride of the Lamb of God: the Shulamite Bride the Beloved Church
By Pastor Lonnie C. Crowe Rhema Fellowship Church
Published: June 22nd, 2012, The Torrington Telegram, Page 4

   In the "Song of Solomon" , the Shulamite comes to the realization that
whatever her situation or her emotional state, she is beloved of her
Bridegroom. Her love for him deepens when she realizes how passionately
she is loved (1 John 4:19).
   While "The Song of Solomon" is a literal picture of marriage, many
elements symbolize the Church and our relationship with our king, the
Lord Jesus. The song describes the experience of every believer who is
sought for and redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ.
   One of the most quoted passages from the song is "He brought me to
His banqueting table and His banner over me is love" (Song of Solomon 2:4).
   In the same manner, Christ has brought us to His banqueting table.
Through Holy Communion, we are in a place of His spiritual provision
and His love, His banner over us, protects us.
   "The Song of Solomon" 2:16 says, "My beloved is mine, and I am his.
He feeds his flock among the lilies." Here is a picture of not only the
security of the believer in Christ (John 10:28-29 ), but of the Good
Shepherd who knows His sheep, believers, and lays down His life for us
(John 10:11).
   Because of Him, we are no longer stained by sin. His sacrifice on the
cross has removed our spots and blemishes. (Song of Solomon 4:7;
Ephesians 5:27).
   When we enter into the deep spiritual understanding that God truly is
love (1 John 4:8), we realize that we are loved just as we are. In
receiving that love, we desire to please our Bridegroom. Living in the
knowledge that God loves us gives us validity, purpose and direction.
   How can life be meaningless when the Creator of all life loves us
with a passion that took Him to Calvary?
   Jesus' death on the cross makes it possible for us to have the same
relationship with Him that Adam and Eve had before the fall. We can walk
with Him in the Garden of Delight. He has restored our fellowship. He
has anointed us with His joy.
   He calls us His children, His disciples , His brothers , His friends,
His beloved. The third verse to the old hymn, "The Love of God" was
found penciled on the wall of an insane asylum , written by a man
suffering from dementia, who had risen above his turmoil , and rested in
the love of God:
"Could we with ink the ocean fill,
 And were the skies of parchment made, Were every stalk on earth a
quill, And every man a scribe by trade; To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry; Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky."
We are truly His beloved and He is ours.