

Copyright © 2011 by Judith Moore
All rights reserved. This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations or occasional page copying for personal or group study is permitted and encouraged.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP), Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
The Holy Bible King James Version: 1611 Edition. Public domain.
Published by CSA Publishing
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P.O. Box 1017
Maricopa, Arizona 85139
Unites States of America
www.XPpublishing.com
ISBN: 978-1-936101-02-3
Endorsements
As I have grown to know Judith over the years, I have always been impressed with her biblical knowledge. She latches onto a subject that interests her and studies it tenaciously, digging unto the Scriptures, until she receives deep revelation that most of us overlook. The Calling of the Bride is the result of such study, prayer and meditation. Anyone who takes the time to read and digest the revelation found in this book will be blessed. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.” Revelation 22:17 Let those who have ears to hear, listen carefully to what the Spirit says.
Dr. Marilyn Hargis Founder & President Gateway To Glory Ministries
Dr. Judith Moore follows the passage from Luke 22:14-20, with this statement, “The celebration of communion is the celebration of INTIMACY with our spiritual Bridegroom.” Over and over she speaks of intimacy with the Lord and INSPIRES us to get serious about our preparation as the BRIDE OF CHRIST!
Dr. Moore gives some enlightening comparisons of the Old Testament espousal that proceeded the consummation of marriage. Her statement concerning the bride’s acceptance of the proposal of marriage is most moving:
“If she drank from the cup, the marriage
was sealed and they became legally married.
He would then say to her I will not drink of this
cup until we are reunited.”
These thoughts encourage us to “DRINK FROM THE CUP” and dedicate ourselves more and more, in serious preparation for an intimate - ongoing relationship with our Lord and Bridegroom.
Dr. George and Bishop Clarice Fluitt Founders: The Eagles Nest Church and Training Center Monroe, Louisiana
I was moved and inspired reading the book. Truly Judith Moore has brought to light wonderful details in her writing and loving thoughts of the Scripture. God gave us so much to learn and I feel she captures insights and gives glory to God in the writing. She is a special child of God and a joy to know as a Sister in Christ.
Gwynette Palmer Sister in the Lord
If I were to write something, it would be to recommend your book based on my life-long admiration of my big sister and her faith in the Lord, evidenced by the life she has lived, the love she has shown, and the inspiration she has been to me as well as to many, many people whom God has brought across her path. I believe you do know intimacy with the Lord on a deeper level than most, and I hope and pray you will continue your “dance with Him”!!
Love you always and forever,
Jane Elledge Sister
Dedication
of my book to UDEMA MOORE
I would like to dedicate this book in memory and honor of my mother, Udema Moore. (1921-2004) Her wonderful example throughout my life was one that exemplified a Christian woman. Her quiet faith always spoke volumes to me. She was such a sincere woman of God that I wanted to pattern my own life after because she always had something kind to say and shared her Christian love and faith with others as well as her own family. How thankful I have always been to have such a wonderful Mom that loved the Lord. She was my best friend that I could always confide in and I respected her for that attribute. She always had a word of encouragement no matter what the situation.
Words cannot express what is on my heart regarding how much she has always meant in my life. All I can say is “thanks Mom for all you imparted into my life – you were always a blessing and my hero!”
Also, I want to dedicate this book in glory to God and for Jesus, my Beloved Friend, that gave His life for me in order that I might be His Bride. Thank you, Jesus!
Judith
Table of Contents
Foreword
The Introduction
Chapter 1 ∼ Who is the Bride of Christ?
Chapter 2 ∼ The Bridal Company in Eve and Esther
Chapter 3 ∼ The Bridal Company in Ruth
Chapter 4 ∼ The Bridal Company in Rebekah
Chapter 5 ∼ The Bridal Company in the New Testament
Chapter 6 ∼ The Preparation Time is Now
Chapter 7 ∼ Bridal Love ∼ Consumed by His Presence
Chapter 8 ∼ The Secret Place of Intimacy with the Lord
Chapter 9 ∼ The Bride is Beautiful
Chapter 10 ∼ The Culmination of the Bride
Foreword
This is a Must-Read book for anyone who desires a more intimate relationship with the Lord.
You will feel the Lord pulling you into His Arms of Love as you carefully study the depth of the truths, which the Holy Spirit has given to Judith.
These truths will not interest the average Christian who is content with living the usual worldly-life. But, for those who are “in love” with their Heavenly Bridegroom, and desire a deeper walk with God, I can highly recommend it. Every page will make you stop and think.
Judith is a quiet, unassuming person, whom I have known for many years. She is always ready to come down to Engeltal (the headquarters of the End-Time Handmaidens and Servants) and lend a helping hand; and when she told me she had written a book, I certainly didn’t expect the manuscript that she gave me to read. This is her first book, but I truly believe that if she wrote fifty more
books she couldn’t go deeper, nor rise higher in the revelation of how the Bride of Christ must make herself ready for her Wedding Day.
There will be many souls at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, but only those who have “made themselves ready” will be His Bride. If you desire to be more than a guest I recommend that you read and study this book that was not really written by Judith, but by THE TEACHER, THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Gwen R. Shaw, End-Time Handmaidens, Founder and President
Introduction
The Lord spoke to my heart one day in regard to the Bride of Christ, and I felt He was saying, “Out of the world, I have called the nations, out of those nations, I have been calling the church; and out of the church at this hour, I am now calling My Bride.” We are soon going into the “Bridal Age” and leaving the “Church Age.” This journey will be toward the very heart of God. If you have a passion for the Lord Jesus Christ and His intimacy and if you long to know what the Father is looking for in producing a Bride for His Son, then this book is for you.
The Lord Jesus Christ is soon to return for His Bride. It is a Bride that has been pre-determined and a Bride that is appropriate for Him. The perception in the mind of much of the Church is that this Bride will consist of all believers. It is believed by many that the Bride will encompass the entire Body of Christ. Is this an accurate perception? As you will become aware in reading this book, I am convinced that the Bride it is not the entire Body of Christ.
There are many aspects to the “Bride of Christ” and this will just cover some of them. This book will not only describe “The Bride” but will also give you information that involves the significance of how to be a part of that vital aspect of the Body of Christ. Many of you will be intrigued and interested by the title The Calling of the Bride ∼ An intimate journey toward the heart of God.
This is a very important study for the born-again believer. The reason is this: Whether you are taken or left behind in the soon coming rapture, that aspect of the Bride of Christ, will depend on how you answer to what the Scriptures say about the Bride. We are going to investigate a number of Scriptures about the Bridal Company and/or the Bride of Christ and what those Scriptures are saying to each of us. It is taught by some that all those who are born again are a part of the Bride of Christ. The Lord has directed me to a number of passages that suggest that being born again alone does not entitle just anyone to be in the Bridal Company. Please note that this is not speaking about salvation, or who will spend eternity with Jesus, but rather the role and rewards and blessings of being one who prepares as the “The Bride of Christ.”
Together, we will investigate and study Scriptures that talk about who the Bride is … and who the Bride is not … and many different aspects about how the Bride makes herself ready. We are going to look at what the Bible says about the select group of believers that will be taken away, raptured from this earth, when the Bridegroom Himself, Jesus Christ, comes to get His Bride sometime very soon! This is the Bridal Company who is eagerly awaiting her Bridegroom to come and to take her away.
Why I Wrote This Book
It has always been of deep interest in my heart and mind about the Bride of Christ. I knew that this study was very important in the Body of Christ and was probably written just for me to take in all the benefits of studying this specific subject. It is a subject that I longed to know more about, and I knew others would benefit from it as well. Deep down, I really wanted a more personal and intimate walk in the Lord; and I knew that this study would assist me in this endeavor. There are many differing viewpoints and interpretations when it comes to studying the Bride of Christ. There are many revelations that seem to be around and I did not want this to be just another book. That is why I did not want to write this book; but I knew in my spirit that to satisfy my own hunger and desire, I needed to write about my own longing to make myself ready to be His Bride.
We are in the generation that is seeing revelation from the Word of God come alive more than ever before; and the more we study, the more it is unlocked and disclosed. We will see more imparted to those that are seeking with a pure heart. This may be a book that could be perceived by some people as just another person’s opinion, but it is much more than that. My prayer is that you will see some revelations you have never seen before as you study this subject throughout this book.
In my studying, I have come to the conclusion that not everyone who is born again will be raptured as the Bride of Christ! You have the choice to draw your own conclusions regarding this subject. This particular book will primarily deal with the issues of who the Bride is and how to ensure that we are a part of that select group of believers. Whether you can receive and agree with all of my views is not the major concern. The question is this: Do you desire to be included as the Bride of Christ and are you preparing now to be that Bride? It does not matter that you have been pre-, mid- or post-tribulation in your eschatological mind-set, but my purpose is to have each of us know the necessity of understanding of “The Bride of Christ” … and my desire is for you to have a new love affair with Jesus and know that intimacy in a deeper way.
Everything that I write in regard to “The Bride of Christ” may or may not prove to be absolutely correct in every detail. Please keep in mind 1 Corinthians 13:12 that says we “see through a glass darkly” and “now I know in part.” I just want to help others see their eternal destiny in light of who they are as a part of the Bridal Company, sharing with Him that intimate relationship as His Bride.
My study of the Bride of Christ has opened up my understanding to many prophetic passages of Scripture! I was able to see the complete meanings of some of the original Greek words (in the New Testament) or Hebrew words (in the Old Testament). Sometimes, this requires deep digging in the wells of information – concordances, different study Bibles, etc. Often in my studies, there has been a second word or definition of a Hebrew or Greek word, not chosen by the Bible translators, that has brought out a prophetic insight into a specific verse that has proven to be significant. It is a delight to study the Word of God and see how the Lord puts all this together to bring glory and honor to Him. There are times it seems like a lot of work, but as my mother used to say, “To do things you love or for those you love, turns work into play and duty into privilege.” This study has been a privilege to do for the Kingdom of God and for the glory of God.
One final thing that contributed to an immense amount of illumination and interpretation is that the Lord has shown me that many passages of Scripture have more than one application. This was an eye-opener because this truth is pointed out in Job 11:6: “And that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is!” Look at the word “secrets” – The unsearchable depths of God’s wisdom in dealing with all His creatures. Now, let’s look at “double” – that the secrets are far greater (the word double being used indefinitely for manifold, or plentiful) than that which is manifested. The secret wisdom of God is infinitely greater than that which is revealed to us by His Word or works: the greatest part of what is known of God, is the least part of those perfections that are in Him.
I had never seen that verse before, but I felt it certainly did apply to my subject about the Bride of Christ. There are many verses that show us what is really in His heart, especially concerning the Bride; and we will never exhaust all the wealth of the Scriptures. We must be willing to study and open our heart to His truths from His Word.
The Principal Goal of this Book
It is important for me to place a reminder here that hopefully will help you to resist the impulse to prejudge whether I am right or wrong without thoroughly studying the contents of this entire book. As I said before, getting you to agree with my eschatological position is not the goal of this book. The principal goal is to exhort all believers, regardless of when they believe the rapture will occur, to be ready and most importantly to be in The Bridal Company of Jesus!
Having said that, you will find out that I am still for the most part, pre-tribulation in my beliefs. However, I now believe that Scripture gives compelling testimony and evidence that only the part of the church that qualifies as the Bride will go in that soon-to-occur rapture that will precede the tribulation. I also believe that Scripture indicates that there is a second rapture for those that are left behind and all those that they will lead to the Lord during the shortened tribulation. What the Word of God says about the succession of events that happen during and after the tribulation is not the main focus of this book.
Considering the Complete Puzzle
Let me share an analogy. The study of end-time prophecy or events through these past few months has been like putting together a 1,000 piece jig-saw puzzle; without the benefit of seeing the completed picture on the box top to use as a guide. The pre-tribulation rapture people have seen many Scriptures fit together that gives a picture that indicates that the rapture will happen before the tribulation begins. Considering that these verses from the Bible fit together so well, they have assumed that they are looking at the completed puzzle. By the same token, post-tribulation and pre-wrath rapture people have seen many Scriptures that seem to fit together leading them to believe that they are seeing the whole picture.
The reality is that they are both seeing part of the picture, but missing the whole picture that the entire Bible paints. Many are like the little boy watching a parade through a knothole in the fence – they only see part of the picture. Yet, when someone helps and lifts this little lad up so he can see over the fence, he will have a more complete picture of the parade. We have been taught for so long that we don’t have a view of the entire parade. May this book lift you to new heights, and help you to see more from God’s perspective so that you can catch a glimpse of His bigger picture!
In some ways, those that are pre-tribulation, post-tribulation and pre-wrath are all right! I am convinced from Scriptures throughout the Bible that there is a pre-tribulation rapture of the Bride and a second rapture of the tribulation saints on the day of the Lord that would fit the latter two positions. The second rapture would be both post-tribulation in that it would be after a shortened tribulation, and at the same time this second rapture would also be pre-wrath, evacuating the remainder of the church that has been left before the wrath of God falls. We must read God’s Word with an open heart and mind if we are to hear what He is telling our spirit.
If you disagree with something you read, place it on the back burner … and keep on reading. There will be a time you might want to come back to that point of view. The sole purpose of this writing is to get all believers to see how vitally important it is for them to have a sense of destiny, change their priorities, and become so intimate with Jesus while there is still time remaining before He comes very soon for His Bridal Company.
These are exciting days to be alive! This is God’s Kairos time and His time is now for the Bride to arise. As never before, now is the time for the Bride of Christ to arise, ablaze with the fire of Holy Passion for our Heavenly Bridegroom. We will become the Bride Jesus longs for, a Bride without spot or blemish. We will be a Bride conformed to His image, doing mighty exploits in His name and His power. We shall be a Bride that will establish His Kingdom, not ours, on earth as it is in Heaven.
We are consumed with desire to become His Bride in a depth of relationship we have never experienced. Let us be carriers of His Glory to such an extent that people can see His glory in our lives.
Honor and reward are at the heart of the matter which will determine who from among Christ’s body will be a part of the Bride and who will not. God does not bestow honor lightly. One must be worthy to receive the honor of the Father. Salvation is a free gift, but reward and honor are according to our deeds according to the Scriptures. To be a part of the Bride of Christ is to receive the highest honor. The Bride is given an intimate entrance to the Bridegroom; the two will become one. This honor, however, is not given freely. It is kept for those whose hearts beat with a passion for the Lord Jesus Christ. It is reserved for those who have allowed the finished work of the cross to bring a cleansing and separation in their lives, removing that which is flesh and making it holy. The completed work is done.
Remember what it says in John 19:30, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, it is finished” and also Revelation 21:6, “And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.”
Judith Moore
Chapter 1
WHO IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST?
The Bride of Christ
The question everyone is asking is, “Who really is the Bride of Christ?” It is much like when Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” There are many diverse ideas and theories on this subject, and this book will not include them all.
Some say Israel is the Bride of Christ. They base their opinion on Isaiah 54:5, “For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.”
Others say the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, is the Bride of Christ. They base their theory on the interpretation of Revelation 21:2-4.
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
The New Jerusalem was beautifully adorned as a Bride. John said that it is to be the eternal home of Christ’s beloved Bride. But notice that it was a beautiful city prepared as a Bride; it was never called the Bride.
Supposedly the Bible teaches that perhaps the Church is the Bride of Christ. There are many in our churches that say, “there is a church within the Church,” and that is the Bride of Christ. We find numerous ideas, but the Word of God will provide the answer in our study. It is important that we understand the difference between the Bride and the Body of Christ. Jesus didn’t call us His bride for nothing! He wants us to get a picture of His love, His great delight, and His joyful delight in being with us.
The Secrets to New Insights and Preparations as The Bride
Following are some reasons for concluding that the Lord may come first for the Bride of Christ, and then the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ are not the same. Godly men and women disagree on this issue. There is a strong tendency in our Adamic nature to want to be the speaker for God, “You shall be like gods.” Nevertheless, “God has not given us a spirit of timidity but of power, love and a sound mind.” There is very strong evidence indicating the Bride will be taken out of the Body of Christ. When Christians are asked about “Who is the Bride of Christ?” almost everyone answers, “The Church,” or “The Body of Christ,” meaning all saved people. However, nowhere in the Bible is the Church called the Bride of Christ. The Church is called His Body in Ephesians 1:22-23, but the Body and the Bride do not seem to be synonymous. The consequences of this are very significant and sobering.
Proverb 25:2 says a very important fact: “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but honor of kings is to search out a matter.”
God’s glory is concealed through His Word, but the believer as a king or priest should search it out. One of the richest veins of gold and silver in the Bible is in the Bride of Christ. It is a mine that is rarely dug into and much priceless metal and even valuable jewels are to be found there. Gold and silver are generally not found on the surface, but are found in deep mines. There are many jewels and treasures in the Word of God, but we must have a deeper relationship with the Lord in order to find them.
Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not (Jeremiah 33:3).
We need to ask the Holy Spirit to show us the depths of His Word. The Scripture says in Acts 17:10 that the believers that lived in Berea did search the Scriptures daily.
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so (Acts 17:10-11).
We must desire to search the Scriptures daily as we prepare to be His Bride. As we study the Scriptures, we should be like the Bereans and seek diligently with an open heart and mind in order to be a part of “The Glorious Bride who has prepared!” (The bride is responsible for making herself ready. Never will you find an example of a groom preparing the bride for the wedding. That is her responsibility and it is for each one of us as well.)
Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. And it was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints (Revelation 19:7-8).
We must ask the questions: “Is the Bride of Christ literal or symbolic? Who or what is the Bride of Christ?” Many are confused about this identity that has come down from generation to generation. It will surprise some of you to know that this exact wording “the Bride of Christ,” is not found in the Bible. This does not diminish the fact that it can be experienced and understood only by those who desire a deeper, intimate relationship with God. Intimacy with the Lord is very essential in being the Bride of Christ.
Let us look at the parallels of the marriage covenant and the Bride of Christ. At Mount Sinai, God proposed to the Israelites and entered into a covenant with them. This covenant was a marriage contract, which was sealed with the sprinkling of blood. Therefore, each marriage between a man and a woman should be sealed with blood through the consummation of the marriage as a witness and testimony of the covenant God makes with us. In Jeremiah 31:31, God declares His covenant as a marriage contract at Mount Sinai.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah (Jeremiah 31:31).
It would benefit us to look at the church in Corinth, as Paul writes and exhorts them to hold fast to the simplicity of Christ, lest they are deceived and led astray by Satan from their devotion to Jesus. Paul was reminding them that he had, firsthand, delivered a message from Jesus containing His marriage proposal to them saying:
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2).
The message Paul preached was a marriage proposal of Christ to them. They were likely known as the Bride of Christ even though it does not specifically say that. This is true to all who partake of the cup and the bread, or communion, in that God is jealous over us with His love.
We should take a brief look at the ordinance of communion, which so many of us misunderstand and consequently undervalue the meaning of it. Most of us are familiar with the account of the Last Supper as we commonly call it, but which was in fact a traditional celebration of the Jewish Passover feast.
The gospel of Luke records these events.
And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, “With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.” And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:14-20).
When we understand that Jesus was in effect betrothing to Himself a Bride at that first celebration of communion, we also begin to understand the deep covenant symbolized by the bread and wine. The celebration of communion is the celebration of intimacy with our spiritual Bridegroom. Each time we partake of the bread and wine we are accepting His proposal and pledging our faithfulness to Him. God takes covenant seriously; so should we. It was not very much longer after that intimate Passover meal, that the Church was born as the blood and water gushed from the side of Christ, the last Adam. Just as the very first bride, Eve, had been brought forth from the side of the first Adam (see John 19:34).
Why was there another covenant made? Because the first covenant was of the letter and the letter kills; but the new covenant is of the Spirit and the Spirit gives life (see 2 Corinthians 3:6). This new covenant is another marriage contract that will not be broken. It was sealed with the shed blood of Jesus Christ on Calvary! Before Jesus was crucified, He gathered His apostles during His last Passover meal. It is important that we know about covenant and its significance in our relationship with the Lord.