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Rise Up, My Love, and Come Away!



My days are softened by the tender voices of doves outside my window. Trees are budding and new leaves adorn the oaks and vines that overlook a creek that splashes behind my apartment building. Life is luscious on days like these. I know that soon, summer will rise early like the burning sun and nature will turn a dozen shades of brown. Such is life in the south.

For the moment though, I rejoice and revel in the sweetness of springtime. More than once, a curious dove finds her way to my balcony and peers into my world as I observe hers. I know that soon, the gentle morning coos will end. It is the same every year: one day, they grow quiet.

I can't pretend to know the scientific reason behind it—does it get too hot? Are the doves preoccupied with other things? Do they fly away? My ornithological queries aside, this I know: one morning I hear them; the next I do not.

As Pastor JD Farag says often, prophecy has a shelf life.

So do the sounds of a dove.

My beloved spoke, and said to me: “Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away. For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, And the vines with the tender grapes Give a good smell. Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away!—Song of Solomon 2:10-13 



I can't help wondering at the exultant and very precise descriptions given here. It reads like a map to an event or a recipe with perfect instructions.

Winter is past.
The rain is over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth.
The time of singing has come.
The voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.
The fig tree is showing her new little green figs.
The grapes are tender.
Rise up, my love, and come away!

You can almost circle it on your calendar: this is the time for love.

The voice of my beloved!
Behold, he comes
Leaping upon the mountains,
Skipping upon the hills. (Song of Solomon 2:8)

Did you know that Paul wrote the same thing? It may not invoke the same blushing cheeks, but oh, the same joy fills my heart: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." (1 Thess. 4:16)



I love that Scripture gives both Paul's fatherly exhortation and also the heat and heartbeat of a passionate Solomon, the prince turned king whose name means "peace." Song of Solomon is a breathtaking work of prophetic poetry that has been lifting my heart in these last days as we watch and wait for our Lord's appearing. If you've ever wondered if Jesus is longing for us as much as we long for Him, spend an hour in this lyrical book.

For example, consider these intoxicating words:

“O my dove, in the clefts of the rock,
In the secret places of the cliff,
Let me see your face,
Let me hear your voice;
For your voice is sweet,
And your face is lovely.” (Song of Solomon 2:14)

No wonder the bride, the Gentile woman known only as the Shulamite, begs her love, "Draw me away!" (Song of Solomon 1:4 NKJV) We see this foreshadow of the rapture confirmed by Solomon's father, King David, in one of my favorite Psalms:

For in the time of trouble
He shall hide me in His pavilion;
In the secret place of His tabernacle
He shall hide me;
He shall set me high upon a rock. (Ps. 27:5)

Song of Solomon is written as a conversation, or like a play you would see dramatized in a theater. The main character, Solomon himself, speaks rapturously of his beautiful bride. The Shulamite adores him and together, they speak of and to a third group, the daughters of Jerusalem. Scripture tells us they are virgins; companions of the bride. In a modern way, we could think of them as the bride's friends who become her bridesmaids. Here is one ardent way the bride describes her beloved to them:

His mouth is most sweet,
Yes, he is altogether lovely.
This is my beloved,
And this is my friend,
O daughters of Jerusalem! (Song of Solomon 5:16)



Other than the Song of Solomon, the Bible records only one other reference to the daughters of Jerusalem. Further confirming the prophetic nature of this love song, it is not-so-surprisingly uttered by Jesus Himself:

But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!’ Then they will begin ‘to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!” ’ (Luke 23:28-30)

With this striking and startling statement, prophecy and poetry are irrefutably linked. Jesus is speaking to the women of Israel who lament and mourn after Him as He makes His way to Golgotha to be crucified. He calls them daughters of Jerusalem, telling them to weep for themselves and for their children. And He references two unforgettable passages that speak of Jacob's Trouble:

"But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!" Matt. 24:19

Also the high places of Aven, the sin of Israel,
Shall be destroyed.
The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars;
They shall say to the mountains, “Cover us!”
And to the hills, “Fall on us!” (Hos. 10:8)

With this passage in Hosea, we are unmistakably referred to Revelation and the time of the end:

And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Rev. 6:16-17)


It is for them that Jesus tells the women of Israel to weep. By calling them the daughters of Jerusalem, He points us directly to Solomon's lovesong and orients our understanding of the times. The daughters of Jerusalem are not the bride, but are the virgins who run after the bride. (Song of Solomon 1:3-4). Later, the Shulamite tells them,

He brought me to the banqueting house,
And his banner over me was love.
Sustain me with cakes of raisins,
Refresh me with apples,
For I am lovesick.
His left hand is under my head,
And his right hand embraces me.
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
By the gazelles or by the does of the field,
Do not stir up nor awaken love
Until it pleases. (Song of Solomon 2:4-7)

Is this the same banqueting house that the five wise virgins follow the bridegroom into, and the door is shut? I believe the famous virgins of Matt. 25:1-11 are a parable of the daughters of Jerusalem. They are not the bride, but they follow the bride. They are waiting for the midnight cry and for the bridegroom who will take them to the "wedding banquet" (Matt. 25:10, BSB). 

Solomon gives us deeper insight into the mystery of this union, of the bride and the bridegroom, of the body of Christ. Notice his tender endearments to the one he loves:

You have ravished my heart,
My sister, my spouse;
You have ravished my heart
With one look of your eyes,
With one link of your necklace.
How fair is your love,
My sister, my spouse!
How much better than wine is your love,
And the scent of your perfumes
Than all spices! (Song of Solomon 4:9-10)

My sister, my spouse—the beautiful mystery. 

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." John 1:12

As believers who are saved by grace, we have received the spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." (Rom. 8:15) We are the adopted children of God, redeemed through the blood of the Lamb.

Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. This distinction is important, and where I believe many modern Bible translations make a serious mistake when they omit "only begotten" in John 3:16 and similar passages. The Greek is clear. 

And I believe Solomon is clear.

My sister, my spouse...

The season is ripening. One morning the flowers will fall away and the song of the doves will cease. The figs will become dark, soft and sweet. The rain will come. So will the harvest.

May the Shulamite's prayer be our own:

Make haste, my beloved,
And be like a gazelle
Or a young stag
On the mountains of spices.



I realize many in the body of Christ are divided over whether or not the Church is the bride. For the record, I currently hold a "yes" position. Compare also: Eph. 5:27 and Song of Solomon 4:7 NKJV.

Recommended: Jeff's powerful study on The Model for Marriage. 

Post A Comment

40 comments:

  1. Beautifully written, thank you.

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  2. Hoses 2:1-3 I don't think Israel is the Bride.

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  3. Thank you for this writing. So worth meditating on it, especially on those beautiful verses from the Song of Solomon. Let it all sink in deeply, Bride of Christ! Our Bridegroom is coming. Glory awaits!!!

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    1. Alleluia! What a blessing! I am so thankful for every soul that get saved in the meantime, and I'm so thankful His return is near. It's such a tender place to be, especially knowing He planned our lives so we would be alive now to watch and witness and share the gospel. Come, Lord Jesus!

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  4. Wonderful.

    Now here's something to consider: Herod decreed all male children under two years of age were to be killed in his futile attempt to get the Messiah.

    Revelation 12 - a woman, a male son, and a dragon. It was first prophesied in Genesis 3:15. The first fulfillment, the original template, was 2,000 years ago: a woman (Mary), a male son (Jesus), a dragon (Herod).

    The next and final fulfillment is a woman (Israel), a male son (the Church), a dragon (Satan). The dragon stands ready to devour the child the moment he is born. Was 9/23/17 the two year warning?

    Credit to P.D. for spotting this.

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    1. Gary that exact thing has been in my thoughts lately also. I've been wondering about historical and Biblical cycles like Matthew 2:16 the Massacre of Innocents. How the reconstruction of the Arch of Baal in Europe and our eastern seaboard, with recent attempts at legalizing late term abortion. Marry and Joseph hid in Egypt with Jesus. Protected, just like Noah while on the ark. Question is the church truly the child in Rev 12. Are we not also the body of Christ. A bunch here to continue to process.

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    2. Thank you Gary, it's interesting! My thought here is Mat 2:7 (KJV) "what time the star appeared" – is it now 23 Sep 2017? It's under 2 years really?! And this spring with Hillaris great article? Just thoughts! Looking up really! Maranatha!

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    3. With the bride of Christ/body of Christ/corporate male child question, I think Scripture eloquently uses all three analogies for the Church, plus others (e.g. the Temple). In other words, I don't see any need to defend either position. God's word includes all of the above.

      And all of these analogies are painting the same picture of God's wild, fierce love for believers in Yeshua.

      He loves us far, far more than:

      -A husband loves a wife
      -A father loves a son
      -A person loves his own body

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    4. Gary, I remember wondering what more could be revealed? And as every day goes by, new layers unfold. God's wisdom is astounding...far above and beyond what my little mind can grasp. I love that He uses so many different folks in the body to seek, study, and reason together as we watch and wait for Him.

      I really love what you said about how God uses each analogy to paint a picture of God's wild, fierce love. And how He loves us so much more than we love the dearest people in our lives. Wow....I can't even. I just. Thank You Lord!!!!

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    5. Amen. During my current in-depth study through Ephesians, I have discovered that in this one letter alone all three metaphors of the Church are found: the "body" (Eph. 1:23; 2:16; 3:6; 4:4, 12; 5:30); the "temple" (Eph. 2:19-22); and the "bride" (Eph. 5:23, 25-27, 32).

      In agreement with Gary, there is really no need to quibble about any division between these three metaphors. The mystery is deep! Think about it: In the beginning, God created Adam, and from his own "body" came Adam's "bride" (Gen. 2:21-24), and elsewhere in Scripture we discover that the body is also called a "temple" (cf. 1 Cor. 6:19). Thus, we have body, bride, and temple already prefigured in the beginning!

      It's okay, relax people! We can be the body, bride, and temple of Christ all at the same time, lol.

      Oh, and thank you so much Hillary for this wonderful work about the Song of Solomon and our longing for the Bridegroom. I totally agree with you about the daughters of Jerusalem being separate from the Bride of Christ. Check out Psalm 45:14 as well. The Queen is led to the king first, and then the virgins are brought in later!

      Grace and peace, dear sister.

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    6. This was pretty eye opening study for me. I've heard many discuss the prophetic themes of S.o.S., but they are much stronger than I thought.

      Coupled with Paul's recent video I'm strongly leaning towards Spring.

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    7. Gary & Jeff, here's one for you guys. Compare Song of Solomon 5:2-8 and Rev. 3:18-20.

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  5. Jesus returns at the fall feasts 3.5 years after the abomination. The covenant strengthened with many is 7 years prior. That doesn’t necessarily mean the great tribulation is 7 years, it could very well be that the time of Jacobs trouble, the great Tribulation is only the last half. The Song of Solomon makes it sound as through the rapture is in the spring. Revelation 12 makes it seem as though the rapture comes just before the last 3.5 years. Could be that the rapture occurs just prior to the great tribulation. We may well be the two witnesses, the olive tree and the lamp-stands. The stars fall as figs, aka the third of the angels were cast down with Satan, as we go up. they cry for the rocks to fall on them at the great earthquake and cosmic upheaval of the events. Then the abomination and the great tribulation where the new believers are martyred, Israel is saved, and ends at Jesus’ physical return where He will end all evil and usher in the millenium. This would explain a lot. Most everything except why there are pregnant and nursing women when we assume children will be raptured.

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    1. This makes perfect sense if you see it as the 144k are sealed on earth while the multitudes are seen in heaven. Otherwise we must reconcile the “two raptures” obviously at different times. The presumed Rev 4 rapture and the clear Rev 12 rapture of the body. And then have to reconcile the figs falling as stars in Rev 6 with the third being cast out of heaven. Then open up the Matthew 24 cannkf worms when Jesus says the stars will fall like figs, and then tell me when those events happen. I’ve been a full pre 7 year tribulation rapture guy from the beginning, but It’s somehting I’ve been looking at and I can’t look away from these things.

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    2. With you on all accounts, Rob! My eschatology is in a season of testing right now. Thank you for sharing this. It isn't always easy to raise your hand as one who might be re-examining some things. May God give us wisdom, discernment, and the humility to hold fast where we need to hold on, and grow where we need to grow, and release what we need to let go of.

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    3. Rob, personally I don't think you're anywhere close in your assessment.

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    4. Rob, imho, I think it's possible for all children to be raptured and for children to be on the earth during the Great Tribulation. If the Great Tribulation occurs 3.5 years after the Tribulation begins, children conceived after the Tribulation begins will be born during the time leading up to the GT.

      Hillary, God bless you! Thank you for helping me see Jesus more clearly in the Song of Solomon.

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  6. Hillary, thank you. Your work is a Wonderful and Heavenly Fragrance in the room, calling us to our imminent moment, and we so need that, as we waft through the other winds about, Philippians 4:8, Maranatha!

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    1. What a kind, encouraging thing to say, Jimboni. Thank you so much. It's meaningful to me in a very personal way. God bless you, brother.

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  7. The problem seems to be that various events and concepts are described by different metaphors and comparisons not completely consistent with each other. Each one depicts just a part of the picture - but which part?

    Church is a child, a body, a gathering, a bride, a sister; many many aspects, but it's still mystery.

    Falling stars like figs can refer both to fallen angels being kicked out of heaven, which happens only once, or to asteroids, which seems to happen more then once during the trib. Sky splitting like a scroll can fit second coming or a nuke; possibly Rapture as well.

    I suspect it's a deliberate approach, so that people don't spend too much time on trying to figure it out before it becomes relevant (say, a few centuries ago) and to make stuff harder on the devil to plan for. In my opinion it's main purpose is to prove the Bible to trib folks, as they will easily recognize events passing as foretold. Not for us to figure it out beforehand, although our speculations may be helpful to left-behind seekers.

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  8. I can agree with much of what you've written; but there is one point near the end where I find it necessary to offer a loving critique. The term "only-begotten" in reference to Jesus is a mis-translation of "monogenes". Even in other places in the NT where it is used, it's not saying the person referenced is the the only one born to a parent. It's speaking of the uniqueness of relationship. It literally means "one of a kind..."

    Of course this still works with the general gist of your article, because while Jesus is the Son of God by essential nature, (and by nature the ONLY one who is so...) Christians are God's sons (and daughters...) by adoption. (Natural humanity in union with Adam, and the angels are God's children by creation...) So modern Bibles are technically more correct than those that use the term "only-begotten".

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    1. Thank you for your loving critique. I would be interested in more information about the mis-translation of the Greek; do you have a preferred resource? In my humble-still-learning view "only begotten" seems to be an extremely precise interpretation, as we see from Scripture that God has more children by adoption, and as you pointed out, the angels ("sons of God.") But Jesus is literally the only "begotten" one. This makes Him unique of course, and one of a kind, but in what way? In the sense that He is the only begotten Son. Not arguing with you or the Greek...just curious about the mistranslation that makes it so perfectly clear. I'll do some further study on this. Thank you!

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  9. i am hushed, humbled and stopped in my tracks,...literally n figuratively. Just what i needed! Blessings Hillary! and there comments, gary, jeff, jimboni etc...i applaud them something *fiercely! \o/~shalom~

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    1. You are a joy. Thank you for your unabashed love. Many blessings to you, dear soul!

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  10. Hillary, thank you. The passion and romance that you connect with and convey is my heart. My time on this earth have hardened me considerably, but the language you speak is the one I was born for. Thank you for the sweet perfume you bring to the feet of the cross.

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    1. Your humble comment really touched my heart. May the Lord bless you and draw you ever closer to Him and fill you with the knowledge of His love! May His peace and joy be with you!

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  11. Thanks, Hilary, for this wonderful article! After readng it, I visited a few other sites and felt prompted to look up a worship song mentioned in one. It ties in so beautifully to your article and is so powerful. I urge you to go to Youtube and look up Paul Wilbur and “Dance With Me.” Be blessed!

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    1. Wow, what a song! Thank you for sharing that Mary Ann =)

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    2. Thank you so much, Mary Ann! Have you seen this version? I have loved it for a long time! (Note: I am not endorsing Bethel)

      [youtube src="sSbVGbQcLAQ"/]


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  12. So Beautiful Mary!!!!, it moves you'some'! \o/ TY Bless You ~shalom sister~ see you there*

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  13. Blessed words ;-) Amen! Maranatha!

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  17. I have a question concerning the children. In Psalms 58:3 it says "The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies. In Proverbs 20:11 it says "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. In the Bible, God killed all the children in the flood and he killed everyone in Jericho. Do you think this is because he sees the end from the beginning? Is this what the Bible means when he says we are predestined and foreknown?

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    1. That's a good question, anonymous. I don't have a satisfying answer for you except to say that it is all according to His purpose. Rom. 9:10-21 10 "And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?"

      "The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom." Prov. 16:4

      What I do know with certainty that the Lord is good. And He has given the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who are saved. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, and if you come before Him with a sincere, humble heart and beseech Him for understanding regarding these things, He will make it clear to you. God bless you.

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  18. Chinese Christian6/04/2019 9:29 AM

    Dear Hillary,

    This book is an amazing read:

    Dear Tammie

    This e-book is a fantastic read :

    www.revirene.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/END_TIMES_FULL-2.pdf

    God Bless!

    ReplyDelete


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