The Song of Solomon reveals to us the methods by which the Lord prepares us for these parallel areas of experiential relationship with Him. These progressive, “step by step” dealings are arranged by the Lord to produce within us the level of spiritual maturity and integrity that will enable us to become both compatible with, and productive in our being seated with Him in His throne, as a Bride and as a son.
We will be qualified to rule with Him “only” after we have first, fully and unconditionally, submitted ourselves to Him. Rev. 2:26-27, 20:6. Therefore, our initial seeking should be centered in our being prepared (have made us) to become His Bride. Rev. 19:7-9 AMP, Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His Bride has prepared herself. She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white – for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints, (God’s holy people). Then [the angel] said to me, Write this down; Blessed, (happy, to be envied) are those who are summoned (invited, called) to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me [further], These are the true words (the genuine and exact declarations) of God.
This time of preparation to become His Bride will begin as we so completely fall in love with Jesus that our fervent expression of love stir Him to become singularly interested in us. This continuing upward flow of the “fragrance” of our love for Him will result in our Heavenly Bridegroom taking special notice of us, apart from all others. He will respond to this expression of our love for Him, and in return, assure us of His love for us. S.of S. 1:15. In Song of Solomon 2:13-14 our Bridegroom beckons us to come away with Him….in the “Secret places of the stairs”.
These stairs, and the secret entrance to them, are hidden to all except the Lord makes known the way. They provide us with opportunity (possibility) to ascend from one level of relational experience to a higher one, where He desires to bring us for times o intimate communion and fellowship with Him. Also, our ascent up the stairs speaks of the circumstances which the Lord places in our path in order to test and purify us. A right response to these will result in our becoming an overcomer, producing within us a level of spiritual maturity and integrity that will enable us to become spiritually productive in our relationship to Jesus.
For those of us who wonder or have a hard time even comprehending having such a deep intimate intimate relationship with Jesus, the beginning is to simply “ask”. Ask Holy Spirit to help you fall in love with Jesus. Ask Him to bring you into a place where you can fall in love with Him. Ask and you will receive. Wade says to constantly ask God to “draw” you to Himself. Draw me Lord, and I will run after you. S. of S. 1:4. There are no formulas for developing intimacy with Christ. Just be yourself, be humble and and ask. Our part is to make “time” for Him. Part of being a “martyr” for Christ is to lay ourselves down by (giving Him our time and devoted attention), picking up “our” cross. Many are called, ( to this wedding) but few are chosen. Matt. 22:14
Few will lay down their time, ministries,(ministry to others), families, jobs, hobbies, sports, t.v., careers, etc, etc, to give Jesus Christ what He deserves, the reward for His suffering. Am I saying we should not devote time to the things I mentioned? NO! I am saying if we place more importance on those things than we do developing intimacy with Christ, that if they have a deeper place in our hearts than does Jesus, that if we allow those things to rob of us our intimacy with Christ, they have become idols and that Jesus says, we are not fit for His Kingdom. We absolutely must come to a place where we will admit we are weak in this area, realize the consequences for our weakness, and humbly submit to God, confessing our weakness’s and ask Holy Spirit for help. He is gracious and we can rest assured He will not condemn us and that He will indeed help us overcome our love of self. Love never fails!