Moving with God and united with Christ

  Scripture Reading: S.S. 3:6-11

  I. Moving with God — 3:6:
   А. As an overcomer, a representative of God’s elect, as a person in the unshakable power of the Spirit (pillars of smoke — cf. Exo. 14:19-20).
   B. Coming up from the wilderness of Egypt — the world.
   C. Perfumed with the sweet death and fragrant resurrection of Christ and with all the fragrant riches of Christ as a merchant.

  II. United with Christ — illustrated by three items:
   А. The bed — 3:7-8:
    1. The lover of Christ, signified by the bed, and Christ, signified by its sleeper, are in a union of love.
    2. The bed is for rest in the night — v. 8b.
    3. It is in the wartime, signified by the sixty mighty men surrounding the bed — vv. 7-8a.
    4. The bed for the night in the wartime indicates that the lover of Christ is an overcomer along with the sixty mighty men who can afford Christ a resting vehicle in the fighting with victory.
   B. The palanquin — 3:9-10:
    1. The lover of Christ, signified by the palanquin, and Christ, signified by its rider, are in a union of triumphant celebration.
    2. The palanquin is for travel in the day.
    3. As the palanquin for Solomon to be manifested in the triumphant celebration of his victory, the lover of Christ is composed of:
     a. Christ’s renewing resurrection, signified by the wood of Lebanon, as the palanquin’s main structure.
     b. Christ’s redeeming death, signified by silver, as its supporting posts.
     c. God’s divine nature, signified by gold, as its base.
     d. Christ’s kingship, signified by purple, as its seat.
     e. The inside of the palanquin is inlaid with the love of Christ’s seekers, signifying that the lover of Christ is one with all the seekers of Christ in love in the principle of the Body of Christ.
   C. Solomon’s espousal — 3:11:
    1. The lover of Christ, signified by the Shulammite, and Christ, signified by Solomon, are united to be one in the bridal love and marriage life.
    2. This portrays the church and Christ being united to be completely and fully one organically in the mingled spirit (1 Cor. 6:17):
     a. In the present church age as a precursor.
     b. In the coming kingdom age as the practical wedding for one thousand years.
     c. In the eternal age as the full marriage life signified by the New Jerusalem for eternity.
   D. The union of the lover of Christ with Christ has made her God’s new creation in Christ’s resurrection:
    1. Her union with Christ is in Christ’s resurrection.
    2. Christ’s resurrection has made her God’s new creation.