The fact that the new Jerusalem descends from Heaven suggests that the work of purifying the Bride takes place in the spirit realm.

Compare:

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:23)

The purifying of Queen Esther consisted of six months of the bitter oil of myrrh and then six months of spices and cosmetics (Esther 2:12). The six months of bitter myrrh speaks of the purification of the Bride on earth by suffering while the six months of perfumes suggests the refining of beauty that can take place only in the holy realm of God and the angels.

Bringing the Wife of the Lamb to perfection. During the Kingdom Age, while the Wife of the Lamb is being brought to spiritual perfection, as we understand the Scriptures, the overcomers, the "mighty men of valor," will serve as kings and priests over the nations of the earth, crushing all resistance to Christ and also teaching the nations the righteous laws of the Kingdom of God. It may be true also that the firstfruits of the Bride, the overcomers, will play a role in helping other members of God's Israel grow into the perfection of the new Jerusalem.

This may be the meaning of the following passage:

We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: what shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for? If she be a wall, we will build upon her a palace of silver: and if she be a door, we will inclose her with boards of cedar. (Song of Solomon 8:8,9)

One may ask, who will build and strengthen the little sister and when will this take place?

Since another person who is spiritually mature speaks in the next verse (Song of Solomon 8:10), it is not a straining of the symbolism to consider that the mature one who has found favor with the Lord is the firstfruits of the Church, and that the "little sister" typifies weaker members of the Bride who will be ministered to by the stronger. It always is proper and godly for the stronger believers to encourage and assist the weaker toward an ever closer relationship with Jesus.

And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:11-13)

The gifts and ministries of the Holy Spirit will operate, according to the Word of God, until we all come to a perfect man, to the fullness of that one Man of God who is Christ. The Body of Christ can only be as perfect as the least perfect member, just as the physical body is only as healthy, as strong, as the weakest part of it. The perfect Head, Christ, must have a perfect body.

God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:40)

To be continued.