Anticipation of the Bride

By Dennis Rowan

Our daughter Meredith will be married on the 25th of March, 1989 to David Taitano. Praise the Lord when two Christians become united as one with Christ. If you have never had an opportunity to observe a daughter's anticipation of a forthcoming marriage then you may have a little trouble understanding what is written here. During the months prior to the wedding our daughter has given her total self to that event, that anticipated marriage. It has been intriguing to me how she has become all consumed constantly devoted to this magnificent event in her life. Although it has not all been a "bed of roses" trying to plan for and carry out the many details leading to the event, Meredith has surely kept her eyes focused on that permanent relationship with her bridegroom.

Most of us would agree that much of what we receive is directly related to what we anticipate. I had confirmed last month by personal experience and observation that I had heard many missionaries say for years. Four of us from West Virginia arrived early one morning at a church in Jaltipan, Veracrus, Mexico for what was to be about four days of meetings of pastors and church members from different congregations. To my amazement a few men with sledge hammers began knocking out portions of the concrete block wall of the church building only hours before the first church service was to begin.

I was puzzled, but not for long. The experiences of the next few days gave me a clear message about people's attitude toward attending church service. I may not, your neighbors who attend at some other church may not, but…..the people in that church in Mexico gathered with a spirit of anticipation! One evening I got to the church service a little late and was unable to get in and get a seat because of the crowd. (Wonder how long ago that was a problem in the churches where you and I attend?) So, I along with about 200 other people, listened and watched through windows and the large holes the men had knocked in the walls. The anticipated a crowd, they knocked holes in the walls, and the crowds came.

People came expecting to praise and worship the Lord. They had no church parking lot, no nursery, no children's church, no written program, no choir robes, no hymn books, etc. but boy did they come to have church. Many, I'm sure came from homes that had dirt floors, but all these people came dressed in the very best clothes they had. They came smiling, laughing, singing, playing instruments. (just like it says in the last few chapters in Psalms). They came praising the Lord and left praising the Lord.

On Sunday, the last scheduled day of the meetings only two church services were planned (we had three each of the other days). However, we had four rather than two services….I tell you people came with anticipation! We had four services because people kept coming, they received victory, got saved, received healing and truly let the Holy Spirit take control. But then why should you and I be surprised? If heaven is so great, if Jesus Christ is so great, then why should we come any other way but to be filled with joy and anticipation!

At the end of the meetings we flew back to Mexico City to spend the night before returning home. Three members of our group were walking through the corridors of a subway when I saw a young man in his twenties thrust one hand into the air and speak something in Spanish. Recognizing the word "Christo" in his speech we stopped to talk with him. Although we communicated without benefit of an interpreter, we learned that this young man was on his way to church on that Tuesday evening about six o'clock with his mother, his sister and brother-in-law. He was praising God on his way to church in a public place. (If we confess Christ before men, then He will confess us before God, the Father. Matt. 10:32). Here is that word again; it describes that young man's attitude…..anticipation!

Let's talk bride and bridegroom again. I hope by now some who read this already know which bride and bridegroom I have in mind. The Bible describes Jesus as the bridegroom who will again come to earth for his bride. You (if you are a Christian) and I as a part of the church are described as the bride. From what missionaries to Third World countries report and from what I experienced in Mexico I have come to this conclusion; people in the developing countries can teach us a few things about anticipation of the bride!