How often have Christians sallied forth in some enterprise only to be turned back by the enemy. This is because they were not following the Head, Christ. When Christ goes forth to battle announcing the will of the Father, Michael and his angels respond with the power to bind and to loose in the spirit realm.

Later on in the Song of Solomon we see that the firstfruits of the Bride assists the less mature members to find their place in the Kingdom.

The firstfruits of the Bride, the hundredfold, is described as follows:

I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: then was I in his eyes as one that found favour. (Song of Solomon 8:10)

The "wall" refers to the defense against evil constructed in the Lord's holy remnant.

The "breasts like towers" speaks of fruitfulness, and the dominion that always results from fruitfulness. Here is perfect man: in God's image, married to Christ, enjoying total fruitfulness and dominion.

Then we have the sixtyfold and the thirtyfold:

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 8:9)

If the individual at least has developed some defense against sin, being a "wall" but not having attained the fullness of fruitfulness and dominion, her more mature sister will build on her a palace or battlement of silver. She will gain more strength for the battle and thus be more useful to Christ in subduing and preventing all future rebellion against the Father.

If she is a "door," being unable to cope with the onslaught of sin, her older sister will enclose her with panels of cedar. Cedar is the decorative wood used in the interior of the Temple of Solomon.

So we see there is a firstfruits of the Bride and then there are those not as accomplished in war. We must always keep in mind that through His Church God is responding to the ancient rebellion of the angels. The Divine redemption is designed to deal with the rebellion that already has occurred (and yet is taking place) and to provide a guarantee against future rebellion.

It is because of past rebellion and the possibility of future rebellion that so much of the Bible has to do with war. Only a strong Church following a Lord mighty in battle can guarantee that the Father will never again be troubled with rebellion on the part of His creatures.

The rewards of life, nearness to God, and dominion go to those who overcome, to those who have proved during this life that they are ready to serve Christ and to stand against the enemy. They will suffer in this world but they will be crowned with glory and honor in the coming ages and will be given the thrones of glory that govern the works of God's hands.

Let us make sure we take the Lord's side in every instance, proving ourselves to be faithful soldiers of our King, Jesus Christ.

A one-liner for you: We don't develop skill or muscle when Christ is fighting all the battles and doing all the work.