Introduction
Several key concepts have been introduced to help navigate the spiritual landscape of our time. We spoke of two axes: the linear and eternal. The linear axis represents the unfolding timeline of Church history—where guardians were divinely appointed to oversee the Church as each chapter unfolded. The eternal axis, however, is where the Bride herself is called to abide—not driven by momentum or ambition but drawn by intimacy and love toward her Bridegroom.
We also considered how the tenure of these guardians—apostolic and prophetic structures that historically helped guide the Church—has reached its appointed end. Yet rather than yield authority, some sought to extend their influence by embracing a new narrative: a hyper-millennial vision of dominion and governance. This vision, often clothed in triumphant language and reinforced by prophetic claims, has found fertile ground within parts of the Church through movements such as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and Seven Mountain Mandate (7MM). Their agenda is clear: mobilise the Church to take the so-called mountains of society and establish Kingdom rule ahead of Chrit’s return.
I warned how a Church without Bridal identity will continue to operate along this linear track—driven by apostolic ambition and sustained by prophetic compliance. The vineyard she tends will not be the Lord’s but her brothers: ministries and mountains rooted in conquest, influence, and success. The outcome mimics a Queen without a Husband whose occupation remains busy in Babylon.
It’s time to explore why a premature crown is theologically unsound and spiritually perilous. I will present multiple reasons why the reign of the Bride cannot indeed must not come before the appointed time. This exceeds being a minor doctrinal issue—it is central to understanding a master plan of the enemy, who seeks to delay the Lord’s return by offering the very thing he once offered Jesus: “all the kingdoms of this world.”[1] If the Church accepts this offer, it will follow a different path, other than one of Bridal preparation.
The catalyst for the Lord’s return is never global dominion—it rests upon the Bride when she comes out of Babylon not immersed within it.
That is why I am taking time to unpack these principles carefully. In an age where movements like the NAR and 7MM have infiltrated vast swathes of the global Church[2], we must remain vigilant. It is not enough to speak the language of the Kingdom—we must discern which kingdom we are building, and by whose authority we are claiming ground. The true Bride will not rule without her Bridegroom. She will not seize thrones that remain occupied. She will not take shortcuts to glory. Instead, she will prepare for her Bridegroom until the trumpet sounds and the He returns again in glory. Only then will she reign beside Him in His Kingdom upon the earth.
The Problem With A Premature Crown
- The Example of Jesus
- The Elohim—They are still in power
- Glorification—Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom
- The Edenic Model—Marriage precedes dominion
- The Great Tribulation—Storms are brewing over the seven mountains
1. The Example of Jesus
Before the Bride can reign with Christ, she must first learn to walk as He walked. Jesus not only came to save us—He came to model the life we are called to live. He demonstrated what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like upon the earth. To be the greatest meant becoming the least—a strange, bewildering contrast to the prevalent messianic hope of a conquering king who would overturn Roman rule. His humility, sacrifice, and love were not qualities to admire but a pattern to follow. He refused a crown before the Cross and rejected appeals to be enthroned on others’ terms. Instead, He embraced the road of suffering, rejection, and servanthood, entrusting His vindication to the Father. In doing so, He laid down the path for His Bride—deny any appeal to ascend through ambition or elitism, instead conform to His likeness through trials of faith. A radiant Bride is without boasts of success in the kingdoms of this world. Her glory is never acquired through earthly rule—she imitates Christ, reflecting His glory.
Many scriptures call us to emulate the Lord, for example:
“(23) Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. (24) “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” Luke 9:23-24 NKJV
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29 ESV
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29 ESV
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 ESV
“… By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:5-6 ESV
If we are to understand how the Kingdom truly functions, we must look to whom that Kingdom belongs. He is the King of Kings, and the ways of His Kingdom are unlike the kingdoms of this world; in fact, they stand in stark contrast. Where earthly thrones may be taken by force, His throne is established in righteousness and justice. Jesus did not model self-exaltation, but self-emptying. Though equal with the Father, He did not hold onto His position, but “made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant and becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross”[3]. His life was the embodiment of sacrificial love, a majesty unrecognised by His own.
Though He never denied He was a King, He made it clear His Kingdom was “not of this world”[4]. Had it been, things would have unfolded quite differently. After the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, the people were ready to crown Him by force[5], swept up in the hope of messianic fulfilment. Was this not the One who would finally overthrow Roman oppression and restore the throne of David? Apparently not, at least not in the way expected. Jesus refused their crown. He knew their vision was earthly, political, and premature. Instead of ascending their mountain of conquest, He withdrew to another—the mountain of solitude—the mountain of surrender—the mountain of listening to His Father.
In doing so, Jesus showed His Bride true authority flows from alignment with the protocols of Heaven not the procedures of men.
He knew where He had come from and where He was going, He knew the Father had placed all things into His hands[6]. With this assurance, He emptied Himself[7], carried our sorrows and bore our griefs. Even though it required Him to be stricken and afflicted[8], He endured the Cross, scorning its shame, because of the joy set before Him[9]. This is the path of righteousness—the protocols required in Heaven for Sovereignty upon the earth. First the Cross then the Crown. It is a precept that must be observed. This was the Bridegroom’s path, and it must be travelled by the Bride if she is to become a compatible partner.
Contending For the Crown
Laodicea is the last of the seven churches Jesus addresses in Revelation, and it provides a prophetic depiction of the end-time Church. Many scholars believe Laodicea represents the spiritual condition of the final generation before Christ’s return—a church marked by lukewarmness, self-confidence, and a dangerous illusion of success.
Laodicea was no ordinary city. Located in the Lycus Valley of Asia Minor, it was a commercial and financial centre, renowned for three things: its banking, its fine black wool, and its medical school, particularly its production of eye salve exported across the empire[10]. Laodicea had its own coins minted, a currency displaying the images of Zeus (the head of the Greek pantheon), Asclepius (Greek god of medicine), Apollo (the son of Zeus), then later, the Roman Emperors. So affluent were its citizens that after a devastating earthquake 60 A.D., they refused financial help from Rome, boasting in their ability to rebuild on their own. But it was precisely this self-sufficiency and pride Jesus rebuked with precision and love:
“For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17 ESV
What Laodicea valued—economy, enterprise, and expertise, became its spiritual downfall and Jesus saw right through it. They were equating worldly success with spiritual power, mistaking the hills of man for the mountain of the Lord[11]. Despite their lofty position in the world, they were ill-prepared to sit with Jesus on His throne[12]. They had relied upon their own currency, now was time for a different kind of transaction:
“I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.” Revelation 3:18 ESV
There is much to draw from this probing admonition. For our studies, it’s the gold I want to draw attention to, because gold is used to make a crown. But we are not talking of crowns for any earthly ruler, but for the King of Kings who shall reign for ever and ever.
There is no currency on earth that can procure such a treasure, certainly not coins emblazoned with the empires of men. This crown is untouched by any human hand—it is forged in the fiery trials of faith.
“(6) In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, (7) so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV
This is why we must walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
Following the way of the Cross is so much more than suffering, it is where the gold for His crown is refined.
Did you know, we are His crown? We are His glory—as Isaiah declares, “You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.” Isaiah 62:3 NKJV
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” Job 23:10 ESV
“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband…” Proverbs 12:4 ESV
Let us therefore refuse to be tempted by the offer of a premature Kingdom but hold fast to our Bridal journey, this is the instruction from the writer of Hebrews:
“(12) Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. (13) Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. (14) For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.” Hebrews 13:12-14 NKJV
2. The Elohim—They Are Still in Power
Before the Bride can reign with Christ, she must first understand the current structure of spiritual governance. Scripture reveals the Most High has appointed divine beings—the Elohim—to preside over the nations until the Day of the Lord. These are not myths or idols but ancient thrones of delegated authority, established within the Divine Council after the scattering at Babel[13] [14]. Though these rulers became corrupt, they are not yet displaced—their judgment is declared but not yet executed[15]. Until the “kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ”[16], any attempt to establish the Kingdom in its fulness is highly premature and spiritually dangerous. The throne is promised, but the timing belongs to the Lord.
“(19) The earth is violently broken, The earth is split open, The earth is shaken exceedingly. (20) The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, And shall totter like a hut; Its transgression shall be heavy upon it, And it will fall, and not rise again. (21) It shall come to pass in that day [That] the LORD will punish on high the host of exalted ones, And on the earth the kings of the earth. (22) They will be gathered together, [As] prisoners are gathered in the pit, And will be shut up in the prison; After many days they will be punished. (23) Then the moon will be disgraced And the sun ashamed; For the LORD of hosts will reign On Mount Zion and in Jerusalem And before His elders, gloriously.”
Isaiah 24:19-23 NKJV (bold mine)
This passage from Isaiah clearly ties judgment to the great Day of the Lord, when the earth will be shaken violently. But notice the attention given here to the punishment of the “exalted ones”. It is at this future time; the Lord will execute His judgments against those rulers in the Heavens and upon the earth. Until that Day, they are not deposed of their position.
“(10) But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation. (11) Thus shall you say to them: “The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.”” – Jeremiah 10:10-11 ESV
Jeremiah resembles Isaiah’s words. He affirms Yahweh as the true and everlasting King and declares judgment upon the gods—those spiritual rulers who did not create heaven and earth. Verse 11 is especially notable: it is the sole verse in Jeremiah written in Aramaic, the language of the nations. This prophetic interruption is deliberate. It announces in their own words that their divine rulers will perish. Their systems will be dismantled, but only at the set time. Their fall is certain, but not yet.
Until that day, any attempt to forcibly establish the Kingdom in its fullness risks violating divine order and engaging with heavenly thrones in a way the Bride is not authorised. It is a premature crown laid upon an unvacated throne.
Laodicea: The Queen Without Her Husband
We’ve already explored Jesus’ words to the church at Laodicea, but there is more prophetic insight we can glean from this portrayal of the end-time church.
Strategic, wealthy, and self-sufficient, Laodicea was formerly called Diospolis, meaning City of Zeus. It was a centre of pagan worship and imperial authority aligned with Zeus, the so-called Father of the Gods. Later, it was renamed Laodicea by Antiochus II Theos in honour of his wife Laodice. Her story is marked by betrayal, political ambition, and hunger for power. Antiochus divorced her to marry another woman for political gain but later returned—only to be poisoned by Laodice[17], who then ensured her son inherited the throne by eliminating her rival. Laodice ruled without her husband, securing power through manipulation and intrigue.
The parallels here are noteworthy. Just as Zeus, a ruling god, was replaced by an ambitious queen, so too the counterfeit bride will seek to establish dominion on the earth without a husband, enthroning herself through enterprise and influence rather than walking in Jesus’ footsteps. This is not an accusation against individuals, but a prophetic pattern we are called to discern.
If the Church imposes herself upon a throne still occupied, how is that any different from the City of Zeus becoming the City of the Queen?
Even the name Laodicea is revealing. It is made up of two Greek words: laos meaning people, and dike meaning judgment or governance. Laodicea means the people’s judgment or governance. Here we see the same narrative—looking to displace the gods of this world, with the rule of the people. If this is indeed a prophetic picture of the end-time church, it offers invaluable insight and a strong warning for the Bride. It is another reason why she must be extremely wary of any apostolic-prophetic coalition that heralds her to storm gates, seize mountains, and forcibly occupy thrones. She must resist the same temptation Jesus overcame in the wilderness—to receive the kingdoms of this world before their appointed time.
Finally, Jesus’ rebuke of Laodicea as lukewarm is often taken to mean apathy. But it can also represent mixture when blending hot with cold—a condition that reflects apostasy and indifference. The Church becomes lukewarm when she mingles the sacred with the secular, or the true gospel with a foreign imitation. This mixture is abhorrent to the Lord, who says, “I will spit you out of my mouth”[18] and it follows Israel’s unfaithfulness when she entered into covenants with the gods of the nations[19].
3. Glorification—Flesh and Blood Cannot Inherit the Kingdom
There is another reason why the Bride cannot reign prematurely—she is not yet ready. The Apostle Paul makes this abundantly clear:
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
1 Corinthians 15:50–53 NKJV
Here, Paul reveals that the Kingdom of God cannot be inherited by our fallen human nature, that is by “flesh and blood”—our present mortal, corruptible condition. Something must change. We must be glorified—not just reborn in spirit but transformed in body. This physical glorification will take place “when He appears” and “we see Him as He is”[20]. Only then will we be “clothed in immortality”. This transformation happens “at the last trumpet” when the “dead in Christ shall rise”, and those “who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air”[21]. As long as the Bride remains in her corrupted body, she is unfit to inherit the Kingdom. But when she becomes like the King of Glory, in both body and spirit, she is suited to rule alongside. This glorification escapes something the Church can hasten through ambition or attain by spiritual maturity. It is a sovereign work of God, reserved for the appointed time of Christ’s return. As Paul writes to the Romans:
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God… For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:18–19, 22–23 ESV (bold mine)
The revealing of the sons of God—the mature Bride—is both spiritual and physical. It includes the “redemption of our bodies”, which Paul equates here with full adoption. Until that moment, the Church groans in anticipation, along with all creation, for that glorious unveiling. Paul upholds this again in his letter to the Philippians:
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
Philippians 3:20–21 ESV
The glorified body, patterned after the resurrected body of Christ, is the final preparation for the Bride before she reigns with Him. To seek a crown before this transformation is to tamper with God’s timetable. It is to reach for governance whilst still clothed in frailty. No matter how pure our motives or how urgent the hour may seem, the Kingdom in its fullness cannot be inherited by unglorified flesh.
The Rise of an Old Heresy
A false doctrine underpinning much of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and 7 Mountain Mandate (7MM) theology is that a special generation—often called the Manchild or Manifest Sons of God—will arise in the last days to establish dominion over the earth before Christ’s return[22]. This teaching proposes certain believers will attain glorified status in this life—even conquering death—and will reign on earth as divine agents of transformation. This is contrary to Scripture.
Whilst Romans 8 does speak of the “revealing” of the sons of God, it explicitly connects that “revealing” to the return of Christ and the “redemption of our bodies”[23]. Until then, we “groan inwardly”, longing for full adoption and glorification. To teach glorification can be achieved now, corrupts Paul’s eschatology and re-presents Satan’s original lie: “you will be like God”[24].
This is the very definition of a premature crown—a counterfeit exalting that promotes spiritual elitism, apostolic ambition with prophetic compliance. It’s a dangerous belief that interferes with the blueprint and Biblical timing of Christ’s return. It mimics a Queen ruling without her Husband and must be rejected.
4. The Edenic Model—Marriage Precedes Dominion
“(27) So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (28) And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”” Genesis 1:27-28 ESV
From the very beginning, God established His blueprint for authority and dominion upon the earth—marriage. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were the original covenant couple, entrusted together with stewardship over creation. Though Adam received the mandate first, it was not good for him to be alone. So Eve was taken from his side—not as a rival or replacement, but as a “suitable helper”[25]. Their dominion was shared, relational, and rooted in covenant.
This Edenic model foreshadows Christ and His Bride. Just as Eve’s destiny flowed from her union with Adam, so the Bride’s authority flows from her marriage with the Bridegroom.
Here is a pressing question for the Church today: How can she reign if she is still waking to her Bridal identity? More than that—how can she reign before she is married?
Whilst we are one with Christ in spirit, the fullness of our union—the “one flesh” covenant—awaits the transformation of our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body[26]. Only then can the marriage proceed, and with it, the implementation of governance upon the earth. Awaiting that day, the Bride remains hidden in Christ, reserved for His eyes alone, veiled until His glorious appearing[27]. Beware of any apostolic ambition that imagines a Bride ruling as queen in her Husband’s absence. It is a distortion of the Edenic model—one aligned with another identity entirely. Not the Jerusalem from above, but one who sits upon the mountains with defiance and pride.
5. The Great Tribulation—Storms Are Brewing Over the Seven Mountains
The Bible is clear: before and especially during the Great Tribulation, the world will pass through a season of escalating trial and suffering. Wickedness will intensify. Darkness will gain temporary ground. Wars, famines, natural disasters, lawlessness, and spiritual deception will all increase, touching every area of life including what the New Apostolic Reformation and Seven Mountain proponents have termed the seven mountains of society—Religion, Family, Education, Government, Media, Arts & Entertainment, and Business. Scripture warns each of these so-called mountains will come under pressure and corruption in the last days.
🔺Religion. Jesus warned, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” [28]. Could it be that Jesus’ warning extended beyond individuals to a corporate body claiming to represent His presence on the earth yet standing apart from Him—a sobering possibility that calls for discernment. He also foretold false prophets would arise and deceive many[29]. Peter warned of false teachers secretly bringing in destructive heresies[30], and Paul identified false apostles masquerading as messengers of Christ[31]. Revelation 17 unveils a harlot religious system—seductive, powerful, and adorned with worldly splendour—yet allied with Babylon.
🔺Family. Jesus foretold division even within households: “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child”[32]. Paul writes of the breakdown of godly order, where children are disobedient, lovers of self, unholy, and lacking natural affection[33].
🔺Education. Paul warned “evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived”[34]. Modern education increasingly exalts humanism and sidelines the fear of the Lord—the foundation of true wisdom[35]. Many are “always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth”[36], and “the time will come when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions”[37].
🔺Government. Daniel foresaw the rise of oppressive rulers and a blasphemous kingdom[38], a vision matched in Revelation 13. Jesus warned, “You will hear of wars and rumours of wars… nation will rise against nation”[39]. From totalitarian regimes to imperial autocracies, from ethnic cleansing to antisemitism, the geopolitical stage will grow darker—until the Bright Morning Star returns in glory.
🔺Media. Deception will cover the earth like a flood. “He performs great signs… and by the signs… he deceives those who dwell on the earth”[40]. Paul warns of a strong delusion sent to those who refused to love the truth[41]. Isaiah foresaw a day when “truth is fallen in the street”[42], and Amos spoke of a famine—not of bread, but “of hearing the words of the Lord”[43]. The information age is saturated with misinformation, propaganda, and seduction. Discernment is vital—but it must come from walking in step with the Spirit and the Word.
🔺Arts & Entertainment. In the last days, culture will be marked by an obsession with pleasure, performance, and sensuality. Paul describes a generation that will be “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God”[44], hungry for experience rather than truth. The creative realm, designed to reflect the glory of God, is increasingly used to glorify man, distort reality, and promote immorality. Peter warns, “Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed”[45].
🔺Business. Revelation 13:17 foretells a time when no one may buy or sell unless they bear the mark of the beast—a chilling picture of total economic repression by a false kingdom. The rider on the black horse of Revelation 6:5–6, carrying scales in his hand, represents economic collapse—“a quart of wheat for a denarius” pointing to extreme scarcity and imbalance. Babylon, the great commercial empire, is judged in Revelation 18, and “the merchants of the earth weep and mourn” as her wealth collapses and judgment comes in a single hour.
What scripture clearly predicts is that these so-called seven mountains of society will not be reformed before Christ’s return but violently shaken. The temptation to ascend these heights is a trap. What looks like authority may be assimilation. Yet in the midst of these storms, the Bride must refute despair. Though darkness may appear to gain ground, the light of Christ will shine ever brighter through His faithful remnant. Scripture assures that above the linear axis, a divine collaboration is at work—between the Courts of Heaven and the Glorious Bride upon the earth—as she prepares a “highway of holiness” for the return of her King, who will bring about justice, righteousness, and ultimate victory.
Apostolic Ambition and Prophetic Compliance
In stark contrast to Scripture’s clear warnings of escalating darkness before Christ’s return, the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and Seven Mountain Mandate (7MM) promote a radically reimagined view of the Great Tribulation. Rather than a time of suffering, and the rise of the Antichrist, they portray it as the Church’s greatest hour of triumph and dominion[46].
According to this spurious theology, apostles and prophets are being raised up to lead the Church in conquering the seven mountains of society before Jesus physically returns. This flawed eschatology is an expression of apostolic ambition reinforced by prophetic compliance, without proper testing of the spirits.
This re-framing:
- Recasts the Great Tribulation from a season of endurance and faithfulness into a conflict the Church is expected to win.
- Minimises concern over the Antichrist by teaching the Church is already empowered to restrain or overcome him prior to Christ’s return.
- Shifts the Church’s posture from endurance and testimony to one of conquest, dominion, and cultural control.
Conclusion
We have cross-examined the notion of a counterfeit bride—a masterpiece of Satan’s deception in the last days and traced how apostolic ambition and prophetic compliance can forge an illegitimate path for the Church—one that bypasses the Cross and lays claim to a premature crown. Also highlighted is the existence of ancient thrones—the elohim still in power, awaiting judgment. Laodicea has been studied: the queen without her husband, ruling from the throne of Zeus. And the corruption of mixture has been exposed, producing a lukewarm church and reimagined eschatology that can prolong the tenure of the guardians along the linear axis.
This emerging hyper-millennialism has been weighed against the witness of Scripture which provides the authority and means to refute fallacy and error. Like the Edenic pattern, dominion flows purely through covenant; marriage must come before the reign. The Kingdom cannot be inherited until the Bride is glorified—her mortal body transformed in union with her Bridegroom. This is why restoration of our bridal identity is of paramount importance and why it remains a core objective of Call2Come—the Bride must remember who she is.
She is not the consort of empire, nor the strategist of cultural reform. She is not a queen without her Husband and will not climb the mountains of man to claim a throne inherited from Heaven. The Bride has come of age and the moment to change lanes has arrived—to turn away from elitist agendas and tune once more to the frequency of Heaven. Guardians driven by conquest can no longer steward her future. Their ambition carries great peril, compelling her to labour in other vineyards whilst neglecting the one entrusted to her care.
“My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept.” Song of Songs 1:6 NKJV
But no more. The season has shifted. The Shulamite is awakening to love. She is no longer a labourer in another’s field—she has a garden the guardians know nothing of. A hidden garden. A sealed place. The garden of His delight[47]. This is where she belongs. This is where she will be kept. And this is where she will prepare for the days that lie ahead.
“[The Shulamite] Awake, O north wind, And come, O south! Blow upon my garden, That its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden And eat its pleasant fruits.” Song of Songs 4:16 NKJV
Selah
Principles
- The protocols required in Heaven for Sovereignty upon the earth, are modelled in the life and death of Jesus as its King. First the Cross then the Crown. Before the Bride can reign with Christ in heavenly places, she must first learn to walk as He walked upon the earth.
- Following the way of the Cross is so much more than suffering, it is where the gold for the crown is refined.
- The church at Laodicea provides invaluable insight for the Bride, helping to expose how the counterfeit bride arises without her husband.
- The Edenic model reveals marriage precedes dominion—the consummation of the Kingdom comes after the wedding of the Lamb not before.
Scriptures
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29 ESV
“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21 ESV
“… By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:5-6 ESV
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” Job 23:10 ESV
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption.”
1 Corinthians 15:50 NKJV
“(13) Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. (14) For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” Hebrews 13:13-14 ESV
Quotes
“Falsehood has this in common with truth, that it wishes to be believed.”—Augustine of Hippo, On Christian Doctrine (paraphrase)
“The ancient enemy often transforms himself into an angel of light, and while he illuminates the mind, he darkens the heart.”
—Gregory the Great, Moralia in Job (paraphrase)
“Do not trust every vision you see, even if it is luminous, unless it brings humility, repentance, and peace.”
—Isaac of Nineveh, Ascetical Homilies (paraphrase)
“For concerning the divine and holy mysteries of the Faith, not even a casual statement must be delivered without the Holy Scriptures.”
—Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 4.17
“It is necessary that antiquity be retained, novelty rejected.”
—Vincent of Lérins, Commonitorium (paraphrase)
“The Church now sojourns on earth as a pilgrim, awaiting the kingdom that is to come.”
—Augustine of Hippo, The City of God (paraphrase)
Pause for Reflection
- As I pause and examine my heart: am I tempted to pursue influence, recognition, or control before the Bridegroom’s appointed time? Where might I be seeking a crown not mine to claim?
- As I consider my walk with Christ: am I imitating His humility and surrender, or caught up in the ways of the world, mistaking activity and achievement for true authority?
- As I reflect on my spiritual vigilance: where might I have mingled the sacred with the secular, the eternal with the temporal, and how can I return to a pure, hidden place with my Beloved?
- As I meditate on my longing for Christ: do I desire His appearing above all else, trusting His timing for the consummation of my union, or am I distracted by visions of premature triumph?
[1] Matthew 4:8, Luke 4:5
[2] Although it lacks formal hierarchy, the NAR operates as a loose relational network with leaders advancing doctrines of modern-day apostles, dominion theology, and the “manifestation of the sons of God.” The appeal lies in its promise of spiritual authority, national transformation, and end-time glory for the “mature” church. However, many biblical scholars and discernment ministries have raised serious concerns over its theological foundations and authoritarian structures. For more information, see:
[3] Philippians 2:6–8
[4] John 18:36
[5] John 6:15
[6] John 13:3
[7] Philippians 2:7
[8] Isaiah 53:4
[9] Hebrews 12:2
[10] An excellent article about Laodicea can be found at https://turkisharchaeonews.net/site/laodicea-lycus
[11] Isaiah 2:1-5
[12] Revelation 3:21
[13] “When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God.” Deuteronomy 32:8 ESV
[14] The concept of a Divine Council—a heavenly assembly of spiritual beings (“Elohim”) who were given temporary rulership over the nations—is a biblical theme rooted in texts such as Deuteronomy 32:8–9 (LXX/Dead Sea Scrolls), Psalm 82, Job 1–2, and Daniel 10. Whilst this idea may sound unfamiliar, Scripture repeatedly affirms the reality of other spiritual beings who operate under the sovereignty of the Most High. These are not equal to God, nor are they to be worshipped. As Paul wrote,
“For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’—yet for us there is one God, the Father… and one Lord, Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 8:5–6 ESV.
Similarly, in Ephesians 6:12, Paul explicitly refers to “but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” These are a real, structured hierarchy of rebellious beings who presently influence the world’s systems. Daniel 10 also affirms this with direct references to the “Prince of Persia” and the “Prince of Greece”—spiritual powers associated with earthly empires.
Recognising their existence does not oppose monotheism; it clarifies the reality of a spiritual conflict and affirms God’s ultimate supremacy. These delegated rulers are still in place—but their judgment is coming
[15] “(1) A Psalm of Asaph. God has taken his place in the divine council; in the midst of the gods he holds judgment: (2) “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah … (6) I said, “You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; (7) nevertheless, like men you shall die, and fall like any prince.”” – Psalm 82:1-2, 6-7 ESV
[16] Revelation 11:15
[17] Historical accounts strongly suggest that Laodice, the former queen and wife of Antiochus II Theos, poisoned him in 246 BC after he returned to her from his politically motivated marriage to Berenice, the daughter of Ptolemy II. Although the event occurred in antiquity and absolute proof is elusive, multiple classical sources—including Justin (Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus), Appian, and Valerius Maximus—describe Laodice’s orchestration of her husband’s death to secure the throne for her son, Seleucus II. These narratives consistently report that Antiochus died suddenly after reconciling with Laodice, who had not forgotten her earlier dismissal. Many modern historians, such as those referenced in the Oxford Classical Dictionary and studies on Hellenistic dynastic politics, also affirm the likelihood of her involvement, noting the political context and outcomes that followed.
[18] Revelation 3:16
[19] Numbers 25:3
[20] 1 John 3:2
[21] 1 Thess 4:16,17
[22] Visit https://letusreason.org/Latrain82.htm for further study.
[23] “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” Romans 8:23 ESV
[24] Genesis 3:5
[25] Genesis 2:18
[26] Philippians 3:20,21
[27] Colossians 3:3,4
[28] Matthew 24:4–5
[29] Matthew 24:11, 24
[30] 2 Peter 2:1
[31] 2 Corinthians 11:13
[32] Mark 13:12 NKJV
[33] 2 Timothy 3:1–4
[34] 2 Timothy 3:13 NIV
[35] Proverbs 9:10
[36] 2 Timothy 3:7 NIV
[37] 2 Timothy 4:3 ESV
[38] Daniel 7:23–25
[39] Matthew 24:6–7 ESV
[40] Revelation 13:13–14 NKJV
[41] 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12
[42] Isaiah 59:14 NKJV
[43] Amos 8:11 ESV
[44] 2 Timothy 3:4 ESV
[45] 2 Peter 2:2 ESV
[46] Within certain streams of NAR/7MM theology, the Great Tribulation is frequently reframed not as a climactic period of judgment and suffering prior to Christ’s return (cf. Matt. 24; Rev. 6–18), but as part of a process through which the Church will increasingly manifest victory, authority, and dominion on earth.
“The mortal Church is in transition and preparation for becoming the immortal Church… The redemption of the body is the last act of redemption and the last page of ‘The Last Chapter of the Mortal Church.’”
—Apostles, Prophets and the Coming Moves of God: God’s End‑Time Plans for His Church and Planet Earth (Destiny Image, 1997)
In some streams (drawing on Manifest Sons of God and Latter Rain heresies) this expectation extends to a company of believers who will manifest immortality and dominion over the world prior to Jesus’ second coming, establishing the Kingdom upon the earth through their own spiritual victories and leadership. For example, proponents of the Manifest Sons of God teaching describe a future company that “will take on immortality … and eventually rule and reign on earth at Christ’s second coming,” with Christ then returning after this dominion has been established.
See https://newchristiancourse.com/manifest-sons-of-god-new-apostolic-reformation
[47] Song of Songs 4:12
