Have you ever thought of being in the domestic atmosphere of the Father’s house — to be the companion of Jesus, to be loved of the Father and to have the Holy Spirit fill your heart with the love of Christ? We will live in the very home that Jesus has lived in for the past eternity.
When in heaven we will feel at home and comfortable in our surroundings, our hearts filled with joy, as we for the first time experience the atmosphere of heaven in heaven, which will be no small part of our heavenly joys, when Jesus comes forth to serve. “What fresh, balmy fragrance will fill all heaven then” (JND).
“Christ only loves that which is holy, according to His knowledge of purity in virtue of His eternal, natural abode where He will take us” (JND).
In this world the bride discovers the elements of the heavenly glory in which she will soon participate. For her happiness she experiences cleansing, the essential work of the love of Christ. He sanctifies and cleanses by the washing of water by the Word in view of what is proper for the Father’s house. All that characterizes the natural man or his ways must go.
The Word of God is the divine expression of the mind of God, and through the Word Christ develops spiritual affection in our inner man. In view of this, would it not be wise for us to be occupied with the reading of the Word, so that we may gain much here of heavenly decorum? We grow little by little as we are prepared for our heavenly home, and “fruit is a sign of maturity and is a result of full growth. It is not found in a moment.”
The man pictures the Head (Christ) who is distinct from the bride, so the picture might be seen of Christ and His bride forming the complete man. “The body must be in heaven for Christ to be complete.”
Purity must be maintained in the bride. The woman is to maintain the character of the bride as a continual testimony to all mankind of the place and character of the bride of Christ. “In like manner also that the women in decent deportment and dress adorn themselves with modesty and discretion, not with plaited hair and gold, or pearls, or costly clothing, but, what becomes women making profession of the fear of God, by good works.” 1 Tim. 2:9,10 JND. God requires that there be distinction between the man and the woman in everyday dress and manner of life in this world. “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.” Deut. 22:55The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God. (Deuteronomy 22:5). “Let a woman learn in quietness in all subjection; but I do not suffer a woman to teach nor to exercise authority over man, but to be in quietness; for Adam was formed first, then Eve.” 1 Tim. 2:11-13 JND. “I will therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up pious hands, without wrath or reasoning.” 1 Tim. 2:8 JND.