The Bride Awaits

“Behold, I am coming soon!” Revelation 22:7

Breathless
behind her veil,
longing
to see His face….
Eagerly
she looks for Him.

Her maids press her with food.
“Here, eat something, do not wait—
you do not know when He will come.
It may not be soon.”

“Eat? How could I eat?
How can I think of food
when He is coming—
my bridegroom is coming with the clouds in the morning,
striding across the hills whose cattle are His, with
feet like fine brass,
and a radiant face
—His head like gold, His eyes a flame—
in splendor and beauty!
He is coming,
He is coming for me,
my bridegroom, my love!
No, I shall not eat. Not until I eat my marriage feast.”

Her maids bring her a chair.
“Well, sit, at least.
Take off your veil. Rest
from your vigil—He will not come soon.”

“Rest from waiting? I could not rest.
Not until my heart
rests its yearning.
Take off my veil? I shall not.
He told me to wait for Him—
He told me to be ready.
How if He should come, and find me
sleeping,
my dress awry, my veil cast off,
as if I did not believe Him?
as if I did not love Him?
Could I not stay awake?
Could I not watch,
could I not pray an hour,
for Him,
my Lord, my bridegroom, my lover,
whose coming shall shake the earth, and overthrow
all doubts
and evil by the breath of His mouth?
Is my beloved not mine?
Am I not His?
Is He not altogether lovely?
Glory shines around Him,
truth and justice march before Him,
and my redemption comes carried in His strong, pierced hands.
Prince! Warrior! Husband!
He will not forget me.
He will not delay.”

“Well then,” said her maids,
“How long shall we wait?”

“We will wait until He comes,”
was her reply.
“We will wait through the long dark of night,
for He is coming swiftly, as the dawn.
—Come, ladies. Trim your lamps,
and do not forget the oil.
He may come at any hour.
Do not be troubled—we may tarry here a night,
but He will bring us joy
in the morning.
My bridegroom, my beloved is coming!
He is coming soon.”


Partial list of Scriptures
Psalm 30:5
Song of Songs 5:10-16; 6:3
Matthew 9:15, 25:1-13
Mark 14:37-41
Ephesians 5:25-27
Revelation 1:13-15; 21:2; 22:7