Cheryl Birch

Standing there I wondered if I should enter in.
The Light got brighter suddenly. It called me out of the dim.
My hand reached out and felt the rough metal of the old old latch.
I held my breath and slowly opened it just a notch.

Peeking in, I beheld a most unusual sight.
In fact, at first, it gave me quite a fright.
Lying on a plain old wooden bench was A body like a mummy.
Nothing else was in the room except a window sunny.

Rays of Light bathed the one lying on the bench,
Wrapped head to toe in fine white linen arms folded in a clench.
Around the neck a scarlett ribbon adorned with a cross.
The sight was so unusual, I simply felt lost.

An arm moved before my eyes, the other also unfolded.
The door opened wide on its own. The room became Golden.
The body sat up, still wrapped and face covered.
Then legs swung ’round, it stood up, over me it hovered.

I looked up at the head and fixated on the cross.
It walked toward me. I was frozen. Totally at a loss.
Black out. Couldn’t grasp what I saw. Fighting panic, bit my lip.
Heard a voice: “The Bride of Christ awakened. She just stood up!”

Transported, I know not where, to a silvery white room.
There I watched many angels prepare the Bride for her Groom.
She sat upon a golden chair still wrapped as the dead.
Carefully the attendants removed the covering from her head.

A glorious face emerged. Eyes that glowed with love.
But, her hair was mess, so they sent for the Dove.
He attended with many angels to her tangled hair,
Carefully combing it out, finding every snare.

As they worked, the Bride began to smile.
Radiant glory beamed from her all the while.
Her head, neck and shoulders were fully revealed.
Many angels sang and around her they kneeled.

To my right, just behind, stood a Man I could not see.
He said, “I am preparing My leaders. I’m setting them FREE!”
Then He took my arm and guided me to another room.
It was gold brocade and tufted white, everything a’bloom.

A beautiful fragrance greeted us there;
Lovely fabrics and trimmings were scatter everywhere.
Dozens of artisans were making jewelry and veils.
Some seemed in a hurry, others moved like snails.

“Here is where the Bride’s vestments have been prepared since days of old.”
Said the Man whose voice bared my very soul.
I wept as I stood in this Holy place of honor.
It was hard to understand how I could even be in the corner.

Yet, He took me into the center of this room divine.
“Look around, my Love, there’s not much time.
The garments are nearly finished; the Bride has awakened.
It’s important that you ready yourself for ALL will be shaken.”

Love washed over me and there I got many new garments.
Attendants rushed toward me and gave me beauty treatments.
Before I left the wonders of that amazing place,
My Guide handed me gorgeous shoes of peace.

“Go tell them not to be anxious and always full of stress.
Go tell them through it all,” He said. “I will give them rest.
What is happening right now is the beautifying of My Bride.
Tell them not to fear, they are My joy and My pride.”