Even though an ancient Jewish bride would not have known the exact time that her bridegroom would return for her, she would have anticipated his return at any moment. An Ancient Jewish bride made sure that her lamp was prepared with oil every night before she went to bed. First century Jewish bridegrooms often returned in the midnight hour to surprise their bride; the oil lamp had to be ready on a moment’s notice of his return, since the trip back to the bridal chamber would have most likely been in the dark. It is here that we see the symbolism of oil as that of being prepared, and ready to go. I know that I have written the above statements several times already, but this is precept upon precept teaching, and I need you to see that Jesus…show more content… In Ephesians 5:31-32 NASB, the apostle Paul writes to the church at Ephesus, "for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church." Paul clearly identifies our relationship to Jesus as being that of “oneness.” The obligation of marriage was established in Genesis when God brought Adam and Eve together to become one flesh, (Genesis 2:21-24). A deep sleep fell on Adam in order for a rib to be taken from his side to create a woman. This required the shedding of blood. Adam gave up blood for the woman, Eve, who became his…show more content… "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it," Matthew 13:45-46 NASB. The Parable of the Pearl is a revelation by Jesus that the church will become a high valued pearl formed by the Holy Spirit. A pearl is a symbol of unity, and they are created by the process of accretion. The birth of a pearl inside of an oyster is truly miraculous. Biologically, accretion is the method of growth for a pearl by the gradual accumulation of layers. It starts off as a tiny foreign object that got inside the shell of an oyster, and the first response of the oyster is to cover it. Glory to God! Layer after layer, it becomes an unbreakable solid, and it captures the eye as a thing of beauty to behold, and thereby it becomes valuable. Now, isn't that how the church has actually grown? Glory to God! Jesus loved you so much that He gave all that He had to purchase you from sin, and death. He covered you! He gave His life for you. In essence, He is the merchant, who sold all that He had to purchase you. This is why, as believers, we are betrothed to Jesus. He paid the bridal price for you. He will come for you. You are His high valued, priceless