x. Summary of the Vision

 
 
So near the end of the age, the Maker is still longing for Yara Shalem, but one fulfillment has begun: to bring to light for everyone…the mystery…that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.1Ephesians 3:9-10 ESV All of heaven has been captivated by the Maker’s artistry and vision.
 

Just as a human artist begins primarily alone with a dream-like vision that grips hold and cannot be eluded until set free, so we turn with wondering gaze at the Primary Artist—the Maker—whose creative fire is stoked, passion rising like sap in the veins. The vision within seeks to be born, comes to occupy heart, wrap tendrils around the mind, haunt daylight hours to assert its urgent need for realization until the pulsation and force against the edges of the artist’s frame can no longer be denied.

 

And it may burst forth like a spewing; it may roar forth like water breaking through a dam; or it may be birthed with many pangs in long, slow and tedious labor while the artist writhes in alternately hot and cold sweats. The work is no easy task-mistress. It does not encourage dabbling or dallying, but calls out urgently to be born into the light, smashes its fat fist on the womb door to emerge holding the red cord of our heart strings, to show us something new, to startle us with its own throbbing and alive presence.

 

So the animating vision that predates space and time and thus captivated the Maker fills us with awe: two original cells, Adam and Eve—rulers of all they see—dividing and multiplying in cellular mitosis until myriad throngs gather and form an entity rich enough in complexity to rise to divine stature.2Ephesians 4:13 KJV This vision pulsing to be born will cause all heaven to weep with awe at the Maker: a Bride, grown from human cells to one perfect, mature entity attaining to the full standard of development in Christ,3Ephesians 4:13 Aramaic Bible in Plain English as worthy in honor and integrity, as stunningly intelligent and artistically masterful, as profoundly creative, as poignantly merciful and compassionate, as resilient and mighty.

 

All creation bends towards the wedding feast of this Bride and Christ, yearning and groaning for the children of God to be revealed for what they are4Romans 8:19: the grand elements of a grander scheme , the painstaking formation of a partner, friend and lover. Unlike Venus Anadyomene rising from the Sea, a ready and complete goddess of love, this Bride is born of the earth, earthy,51 Corinthians 15:47 KJV and then painstakingly redeemed cell by cell through a lengthy, fiery, and arduous process of purification throughout human history; during which she learns to wade into this ugly, dark world and overcome it; learns to do good; learns to seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, and plead for the widow.6Isaiah 1:17 NASB

 

In the creation of this Bride, the heavenly beings will witness and apprehend the extent of divine compassion and manifold wisdom: what breadth of creativity inspires, what judiciousness informs, what vital potency sustains, what depth of love motivates and with what patience persists the Maker. As from a seedGod will raise, God will gather, God will form the body of a Bride to resurrect her imperishable and immortal, to bear the image of the heavenly71 Corinthians 15:49 NIV to be like Christ, and to see Christ as he is.81 John 3:2 NIV

Having watched the creation and development of Yara Shalem, her growth and betrothal, the heavenly beings throw down their crowns before the Maker’s feet, crying out:
You are worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory and honor and power;
For You created all things,
And by Your will they exist and were created. 9Revelations 4:10-11NKJV
 
In the next act, the members of the Trinity each bring to bear their unique talents in cultivating the individual strands of Body, City, and Bride.

 

References

References
1 Ephesians 3:9-10 ESV
2 Ephesians 4:13 KJV
3 Ephesians 4:13 Aramaic Bible in Plain English
4 Romans 8:19
5 1 Corinthians 15:47 KJV
6 Isaiah 1:17 NASB
7 1 Corinthians 15:49 NIV
8 1 John 3:2 NIV
9 Revelations 4:10-11NKJV
Follow

Get the latest posts delivered to your mailbox: