“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They do not labor nor spin; but I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed as one of these. If God so enrobed the grass of the field – which is today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow – will he not much more you, you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:28-30 – Interlinear)
The little parable about the lilies of the field is a storehouse of divine treasure! There is a magnificent spiritual dimension to it for those who truly make Jesus Christ Lord and Savior of their life. Embedded deep in the center of this parable of the lily is a beautiful promise made specifically to His bride.
Almost 2,000 years ago, Christ spoke to the multitudes of the glory of His Kingdom. He encouraged them to seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness. He instructs the humble in heart to focus on heavenly gain and not on earthly wealth. He assures those that do that the Heavenly Father had already provided for their well being – both spiritual and material. Christ shares with them the lesson of the lilies and the heavenly provision that is promised to those who genuinely treasure his word. He tells them not to worry, “Stop being afraid, little flock, because your father was pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:3 – Interlinear) Careful attention must be paid to the tense in this verse because nearly 20 centuries ago, Jesus stood before his disciples and said something richly laden with hidden glory.
On that day Jesus declared, from the mountainside, a very special message to a very special group of people. He told us that the Heavenly Father was pleased to give them the Kingdom! This indicates that God had foreknowledge of the faithful church (the bride of Christ). Before the foundation of the world he foreknew everyone, who by their own free will, would receive Christ as their Savior and truly love His word. He foreknew every sincere believer that would seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and he was so PLEASED with these believers that he made them a glorious promise that has, in many respects, already been fulfilled!
With this understanding in mind let us take to heart Christ’s teaching on the lilies and consider how they grow! They are flowers of rich colors that grow among the grain, often overtopping it and illuminating the broad fields with their various shades of pink, purple and blue. In some marvelous and amazing way the humble lily rises and shines with a beauty and glory that is truly spectacular. In unison, they create a genuinely majestic glow. The charm they create cloaks the field with their gentle God-given glory. The scene they manifest is one of ROYAL magnitude and distinction…. their splendor exemplifies the beautiful bride of Christ.
When we grasp the fortitude of the lily, the splendor of this verse truly unfolds. Lilies are colorful flowers that arise from underground storage organs such as swollen stems, tubers and bulbs. During unfavorable periods, food and water are stored away while they maintain a horizontal growth pattern underneath the surface of the earth. In this humble position they transverse across the landscape, not only being nourished; but also reproducing as well. The spiritual comparison to the believer is apparent.
Though the Believer experiences trials, temptations, and other unfavorable conditions which appear to overtake them, they draw strength from God’s Word. Outward appearances may suggest a life void of earthly riches and prestige; yet something very beautiful, divinely created and ordained by the Heavenly Creator is transpiring beneath the surface – they maintain a thriving existence. It is interesting that once lilies die, their annual above-ground stems leave seal-like scars known as “Solomon’s Seal” on the creeping underground rhizomes. Persevering by the power of God, both the humble lily and the believer; readily await to break forth in a magnificent display of spiritual glory! What joy and comfort the lesson of the lilies provides Christ’s Bride. Jesus emphasizes through its contents, that the Heavenly Father has promised to help her provide a royal wedding garment for her entrance into the Kingdom. With true devotion to the Word of God, this garment is crafted; through “life’s hardships.” Through the passage of time, this regal apparel is not soiled or discolored; for it is faithfully kept and perfectly maintained by the grace of God.
Consider also, what the parable of the lily really suggests by the declaration: “not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed as one of these.” King Solomon is considered the greatest and wisest ruler to ever reign on earth. His kingdom was given to him by the Heavenly Father. God was so pleased with his request for a heart of wisdom that he lavished upon him GREAT wisdom, wealth and honor. His kingdom, in all his GLORY was truly the most magnificent of all earthly reigns. He possessed within it the very finest of everything: craftsmen, tailors, fabrics, artists, etc. The substance of his kingdom was of a unique superiority, for God fashioned it with subjects perfectly inspired to give their very best just for this regal reign! So, all of Solomon’s glory is almost impossible to define; but this one thing we do know…. King Solomon in all his glory could not compare to the glory of the lilies of the field. Both the lily and believer, in their own way, possess a divinely fashioned, supernatural growth and beauty that is far more breathtaking than even the most gorgeous robes of King Solomon!
A NEW SONG
It appears significant that the divinely inspired Song of Solomon was written concerning Solomon’s life. It, like the lily, has the power of God embedded within it. This Song of Songs, is a poetic and passionate writing that was penned to symbolizes Christ and his bride. It tenderly expresses the mutual admiration that exist between the virtuous Shulamite and her Beloved and the deep love union that they share. The glory of this writing displays the beauty of a married love that transcends this world, and it is, as if this divine song has been sealed for the ROYAL occasion of the marriage of the Lamb to his bride! Only the pure in heart, are capable of understanding the intense majesty “The Song of Solomon” portrays. This divine song speaks of the beautiful lily as the bride and describes her as “the lily among thorns” (Song of Solomon 2:2a). She alone is given a heart to rejoice at its message for it was penned solely for her. Only her ears are able to discern its true beauty, spiritual meaning and depth. Only she can understand its honorable theme. The holy power of God has sealed this divinely inspired masterpiece and has kept it shielded, in a state of newness, for the grandest of all weddings.
Revelation renders a specific description detailing this beautiful Lily (Bride) and who she truly is:
“And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Zion, with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a NEW SONG before the throne, and before the four beast, and the elders and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” (Rev 14:1-5)
THE LILY IN THE TEMPLE
With the exception of “Solomon’s Song” there are only three other references to the lily in scripture. The Temple which God appointed Solomon the honor of constructing had fashioned within it, the beauty of the lily as describes in 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles 4. The Temple had two free standing pillars at its entrance. One pillar was called “Jachin,” which means “He shall establish” and the other was “Boaz” meaning “in his strength.” At the top of these pillars a beautiful lily was fashioned which rose up 7 1/2 feet in height. The evidence of this flower (from among all flowers) gracing the top of these two pillars is remarkable. Surely the CROWNING GLORY of the magnificent lily incorporated by the Divine Architect into this Holy Temple makes a splendid statement – one that transcends time and most definitely surpasses all the glory of King Solomon!
The molten sea, the other Temple furnishing constructed and designed with the lily, was a round basin. Its circumference was 45 feet (the number forty means temptation and 5 means grace) and it was 15 feet (15 is the number for divine rest) from side to side. This basin was placed inside the Temple, and it was of a portable design. It symbolizes the washing of regeneration and sanctification of Christ. It also, symbolizes mankind (SEA) in its entirety. It shows the bride of Christ, the firstfruits from among men, which is portrayed in the lily-work that was formed around the top at the basin’s lip (the Bride rises to the top). The portable nature of this basin also suggests the bride’s capacity to come and go in the Kingdom with the Lamb!
The actual construction period for God’s earthly Temple, once all the necessary materials were collected, was only seven (7) years in length; thus, the comparison to his Spiritual Temple is most intriguing! During this “AGE OF GRACE” living stones have been assembled together by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, through FAITH in Christ. This process has been a massive and time consuming event which will most definitely exhibit the TRUE GLORY, BEAUTY, and GRACE of GOD in extraordinary and exquisite detail! The bride of Christ, THE TEMPLE LILY, is the crowning glory of God – gracing HIS very pronounced COLUMNS OF TIME!
THE LILY “ISRAEL”
The final reference to the 1i1y is in Hosea 14:5 which declares, “I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.” This verse testifies to the restoration of the marriage union between Israel and Jehovah; how after a season of judgment and separation, He will grow as the lily….or in other words similar to the bride! Since Revelation 14:1-5 portrays the 144,000 (bride of Christ) with the Lamb, this verse speaks prophetically of the 144,000 sealed servants from the 12 tribes of Israel who faithfully embrace His Holy Word (Rev. 7:3-4). Therefore, for those who have ears, the significance of “the 1ily” and its hidden glory fashioned by the Divine Architect into the Temple by Solomon, who God also inspired to compose “The Song of Songs” is a thrilling and fascinating revelation worth considering!
THE ROYAL SEED
Matthew 25 gives excellent insight as to how the “lily among the thorns” actually becomes The Bride. She is the waiting church, The Royal Seed, which manifests prudent actions from a heartfelt desire and intense longing to be with her Savior. Just as God fashioned man out of the dust of the earth, and woman OUT OF THE BODY OF MAN; likewise, by the power of God’s Word, a beautiful bride is being created OUT OF THE BODY OF CHRIST, (His Church). It is, as if, an ordained “deep sleep” permeates “His Body” which is portrayed in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins. This process essentially brings forth his holy bride! This Royal Seed, his help-mate, is motivated and propelled by God’s Spirit proclaiming the same words as her Beloved, “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The closing chapter of Revelation affirms this truth by formally testifying….“The Spirit and the bride say Come.”
The bride of Christ handles scriptural confirmations of the coming of her Lord very judiciously. Biblically based developments emphasize sound reason to be looking for her Savior; awaiting his return is a matter of serious importance to her, for each new development validates the hope in her heart and naturally provokes her to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. To the contrary, however, the unwise, “foolish” virgins consider the unfolding of Scripture merely a fascinating curiosity, which does little to convict them of their Lord’s coming or create in them the desire to shake the dust of this earth off of their feet! This parable shows the apparent reason for the waiting process. It suggests “waiting” is a divinely ordained predicament which reveals and yields a wealth of information. It distinguishes the true heart mode of each member of Christ’s Church. Awaiting the Bridegroom certainly separates the “Lily from among the thorns.”
THE HONOR OF KINGS
The Scripture tells us only the pure in heart were found awaiting their Lord when he came. The diligent desire of the faithful church pleased God and made them the firstfruits from among men. They performed a royal and honorable work searching out the Scriptures and rejoicing in the hidden glory of God’s Word. Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of Kings is to search out a matter.” The foolish virgins wasted precious time because their heart was fixed on the things of this world. Too many worldly affairs caused their lamps to go out. Scripture declares the lamp of the soul is the EYE. The foolish virgins had their “eye” on the world and not on the Word of God. As a result of the hardness of their own hearts–the truth was concealed from them.
The age of grace, the Heavenly Father has given to us through Christ, is a season that is quickly coming to a close. Harvest time is on the horizon and soon the “Lily among the thorns” shall be ushered into the Royal wedding. Please, please, please, consider the lilies of the fields and how they grow; and with the help of God’s Spirit and loving grace, you too, like the humble lily, will break forth into a ROYAL DISPLAY OF MAGNIFICENT SPIRITUAL GLORY!!!
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