Teaching: “For Such a Time as This”

The Bride, the Church, is being prepared for “such a time as this” to advance the Kingdom of God. The Church is the “one new man,” neither Jew nor Gentile, male nor female. We are brought together as one body, of which Christ is the Head. His Bride is beautiful, His Bride is unified, His Bride and the Spirit are saying, “Come, Lord Jesus.”(Rev. 22:20).

To better understand the preparation of the church for such a time as this, we look at The Book of Esther, a type of Bride. She is a prophetic picture of the image of the Bride called the church. In her, we find what the church is to be modeled after. The church is the ekklesia – the called out ones, separated and set apart by God to do His will on earth. Without Esther, Israel would have been eliminated. There would have been no Messiah! She was pivotal in saving her people. Could it be that God is calling out to the church – “I am preparing you, My bride, for this pivotal time in history. Church, you are needed! Church, you are the one that I choose to use to advance My Kingdom. Church, rise up! Church, I call out your name.”

In the context of the Book of Esther, we will examine three important elements:

1. The Place – being in enemy territory
2. The People – being obedient servants
3. Their Position – being positioned for victory

The place where the events occur in this book is the empire of Persia. The capital of Persia, Shushan, is found in modern day Iran. One can find the tombs of Mordecai and Esther in Hamadan, Iran. The Persian Empire had conquered the Assyrian Empire, and King Cyrus had issued a decree for the Jewish exiles to begin to return to their homeland. In the Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, we find the work of restoration of the Jews to their homeland. While Ezra and Nehemiah focus on the spiritual and physical re-building process back in Jerusalem, it is in the Book of Esther that we identify this Jewish woman living in Shushan who is pivotal in the saving of her people. Esther is in enemy territory. She is a Jew living in Persia. Church, we are also living in enemy territory, where the prince of the power of the air works. We are “in the world but not of the world.” Jesus told his disciples that He ‘has overcome the world.” John 16:33. We can choose to walk in defeat or walk as overcomers appropriating the victory secured by Jesus Christ on a cross at Calvary. His shed blood has overcome the world!

The people in this text include King Xerxes I, Vashti, Mordecai, Esther, and Haman.

King Xerxes I was the son of Darius. The wife of Xerxes was Queen Vashti. She was deposed as queen by her husband for her refusal to obey the king’s command to appear before him. As a result of her lack of submission to authority, her royal position of queen is removed, and she was forbidden access to the king.

The third person introduced in the Book is Mordecai. His name means “warlike, and reknowned.” How appropriate! Esther 2:5 states: “In Shushan the citadel there was a certain Jew whose name was Mordecai the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite.” Mordecai was from the tribe of Benjamin, which is significant. Others from the tribe of Benjamin include King Saul and the apostle Paul. Benjamin means “Son of My Right Hand.” In heaven there is a Son, who sits at His Father’s right hand. His name is Jesus. Thus, Mordecai is one who is still living in an exiled land. We, the church, are a chosen people (2 Peter) in a foreign land. We are in the world but not of it.
Mordecai has chosen to care for his cousin, the next person in this text. Her name was Esther.

Esther was an orphan, adopted by Mordecai the Benjamite. We were adopted into a royal family by our Father, God. Jesus has told us: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18. Ephesians 1:5 reminds us that we have been “predestined to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”

Her Hebrew name was Hadassah, which means “myrtle.” Myrtle shrubs were beautiful evergreens. Esther, her Persian name, means “star.” Stars were created by God to light up dark places. And so there was Esther, in a place of foreign gods. It was for her, a dark place. Stars are considered lights in the Bible, as found in Genesis 1:14: “And God said, ‘Let there be lights (me’orah) in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: and let them be lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.”
Stars “differ one from another in glory” according to 1 Cor. 15:41. In Numbers 24:17 we read that:”There shall come a Star out of Jacob and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” These blessings were promises of the Messiah to come – Jesus Christ, our Star and Scepter! In Revelation 2:28 and 22:16 we read about the “bright and morning star”, who is none other than our King of Kings, Jesus! The Gospel of John in Chapter 1 writes of Jesus: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” The darkness did not comprehend the light. According to the Greek word “katalambano” this verse tells us the following:

- Darkness can’t apprehend the light;
- Darkness can’t understand the light.
- Darkness can’t seize the light; and,
- Darkness can’t take over the light;

Esther, a victorious star, shone brightly in a dark place. Her light entered into a king’s palace that darkness could not understand nor control! The church is called to be a shining star, “the light of the world” that lets “your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14 & 16.
Paul writes in 2 Cor. 4:5-7 that “God…commanded light to shine out of darkness who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” Beloved, we have the treasure – that is – the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of His Son, Jesus Christ! 2 Peter 1:19 states: “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and morning star rises in your hearts.” Daniel 12:3 gives us: “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” As we use the Godly wisdom given to us we shine! As we turn the lost to Jesus Christ through our witness and our words, we shine as if eternal stars in the heart of our Father. What a precious promise!

This leads to the final person encountered in the Book of Esther. If we look at Esther 3:1 we read: “After these things King Xerxes promoted Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the princes who were with him.”

The name Haman means “magnificent.” God created this man to be magnificent, but sin corrupted him. It is noteworthy to see the origin of Haman. He was an Agagite. Agagite means “fiery one.” Most Biblical scholars conclude that Haman was a descendant of Agag, king of Amalek. The conflict between the Amalekites and Israelites is well-documented. The conflict began in Exodus 17:16, after the Jewish people had escaped from Egypt and were attacked by the Amalekites. It continued in 1 Samuel 15 when king Saul, a Benajmite, conquered the Amalekites, yet failed to kill them all, as God had required in Dt. 25:17-19. Thus, the Amalekites remained, and some 500 years after Saul’s attack, the Benjamite Mordecai faces the Amalekite Haman, fulfilling Scripture found in Ex. 17:16 that declared the Lord would “be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.” Haman issued the “devil’s decree” to the king when he said in Esther 3:8-9: “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws. Therefore, it is not fitting for the king to let them remain. If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who do the work to bring it into the king’s treasuries.” A certain people: the church today. Scattered and dispersed within the kingdom: the church today. Different laws from a higher kingly authority: the church today. The devils’ decree to destroy: the church today. Payment for destruction of: the church today!

Having identified the place and the people, we now move to examine their positions.

The positions taken by these individuals and the resulting actions are a result of the mighty hand of God moving in the life of Israel. These positions can be viewed both physically and spiritually, as they apply to us today.

AT THE {KING’S} GATE

Modecai sat continually at the place called the King’s Gate. The gate is symbolic of authority, and so being “at the gate” is being at the entrance to authority. It is a place where people congregated, business was conducted, and legal matters settled. In Hebrew, the word “sa’ar” means gate. It is defined as a key place of a city’s defense; and a place for hearing and decisions. It is the entrance to a city.

Mordecai apparently held a place of civil prominence to have a place at the gate. It was the divine favor of God that Mordecai would hear of the plot to kill Xerxes and spare his life. Daniel was at the gate. Boaz went to the gate to redeem Ruth. Jesus was referred to as The Door or The Gate – that is, the entrance to eternal life.

There is a gate in heaven – to the New Jerusalem – the Heavenly City. In the Book of Rev. there is a gate and it is open! Rev. 21:25 says: “Its gates shall not be shut at all by day.” They will not be shut by night either! Rev. 22:14 continues: “Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the gate of the city.”
J
ust like Mordecai, and Daniel, and Boaz, the church has had to be at the place of sitting at the gate to receive instruction and access entrance into the next position: the palace.

IN THE PALACE

Esther was allowed entrance into the king’s palace. There she underwent beauty preparations. The church is undergoing spiritual beauty preparations, to be found fit and ready for her Bridegroom. The beauty preparations included: oil of myrrh for six months, and perfumes and other beauty preparations for an additional six months. We see a similarity in the gospel account of the women with the alabaster jar of expensive perfume, pouring it over the feet of Jesus and washing his feet with it. Our beauty preparations are spiritual: so that we might acquire a spiritual beauty pleasing unto God. Myrrh is symbolic of suffering and death; in this we learn that we have to die to the flesh in order to live to the Spirit, and to gain unity within the body of Christ. Isa. 61:10 indicates that we are “clothed with garments of salvation and robes of righteousness.” 2 Co. 11:2 finds Paul writing to the church: “We are a chaste virgin to Christ.” The palace is the place of preparation for the bride. It is in the palace that we receive expensive and exquisite beauty treatments and bridal preparations of humility and holiness. Peter calls upon the Scripture in Leviticus when he writes: “Be holy, as thou art holy.” 1Peter 1:16. The called out ones are to put on myrrh, die to the flesh, and receive a robe of righteousness in preparation for the marriage supper of the Lamb. He will not return for an unprepared bride! We are called to be set apart. Ephesians 5:27 says that “…Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her; that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Our Lord desires us to be set apart and cleansed with His exquisitely powerful combination of the water (Spirit) and the word (truth).

Esther continually found favor in the sight of God and did what seemed impossible. Church, we have found favor in the sight of God. Because of Jesus Christ, we are walking, talking, living, breathing, and favored children! With God, all things are possible. Esther got access into places other people couldn’t. She went places no one else would dare to go. She risked her life to save her people. Church – we have access into places! We have natural access and we have supernatural access! Bars can break and walls can shake – all because of access. Esther recognized the favor upon her life. Do we? Does the church risk its life, or even its reputation, to save her people? We are being reminded that favor has been extended to us, and we are exhorted by the Lord to use it! We are blessed and highly favored!

Esther was then confronted by Mordecai’s instruction when the plot of Haman was uncovered. “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Time in this verse is translated as “season.” The Ancient Hebrew pictograph of time, or season is an eye and a mark, which looks just like a cross. Within eternity and without time, God has ordained seasons and times. If the eye of the church is fixed on the cross, the church will receive a revelation of the spiritual season! We need to discern the season! It is Esther 4:16 that we see the Esther Anointing released: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go the king; which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” The Esther Anointing is the anointing to fast and to pray – corporately and for a united purpose: to save a people. {It gets cloudy before it rains. The skies darken before a downpour. The voice of the Lord speaks through thunder before a storm.}

It is in the palace that the church is washed; set apart, unites its eye upon Jesus, and receives a revelation of the season. In the palace we learn humility to handle authority. It is in the palace that the anointing is released!

TO THE THRONE

On the third day, after fasting, Esther boldly approached her husband, the king. On the third day, Christ rose from the grave. She didn’t ask permission, she didn’t go through channels, she didn’t wait her turn. She didn’t have someone “represent” her. She went right in! She showed boldness! She showed courage! She had completed the preparations. Church, we can boldly approach our bridegroom. We have access to the throne anytime, any place. We need no representative. However, we must be prepared. Esther demonstrated what is found in Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

When Esther was received by the king, he extended his golden scepter to her. The scepter was a royal staff used by kings to indicate favor or disfavor to those desiring an audience with the king. Genesis 49:10 says that “the scepter shall not depart from Judah.” A scepter is symbolic of authority, and gold is symbolic of royalty. Both Hebrews 1:8 and Psalm 45:6 states: “Your throne O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” Xerxes extended his royal authority to her – giving her the royal authority and the divine favor to come and speak with him. He openly received her. O, beloved bride of Christ – do you hear this? A golden scepter awaits us! We have been given royal authority, and divine favor to come and speak with Him. We have to be bold enough to enter, even when it appears risky! Those who have gone through the gate, entered into the palace, and completed the beauty treatments will touch the golden scepter! Supernatural communication and instruction – revelation and illumination from on high happen when we touch the scepter! Access and authority are given to us – however, we must be prepared.

Esther showed not only courage and maturity, but also wisdom. She knew how to handle delicate matters, difficult situations, and not get caught in the trap of Haman. She listened as well to the wise counsel of her cousin, Mordecai. Her words were seasoned with salt. In this is a lesson for the church. We are to be ever after wisdom, in order to know how to handle situations. We need wisdom and grace to be “wise as serpents, and innocent as doves” according to Matthew 10:16. We are called to be gentle doves in ministry, and militant warriors in prayer. We are to love one another, and also to “abhor evil and cling to what is good.” Romans 12:9. Beloved, our battle is not against flesh and blood. It’s a Lion who fights and a Lamb who weds! It is against powers and principalities of darkness. Fight the right fight!
Esther was at the same time beautiful and militant. She was a bride in combat boots – ready to face the battle on behalf of her people, Israel. Are we? Do people view us as beautiful, radiant and glowing? What is the reputation of the church? The place of our battle is the prayer closet – our private militance leads to public radiance.

Esther’s enemy was Haman. He wanted her and all of Israel dead. Woe to the one who curses Israel! King Xerxes said, “Indeed I have given Esther the house of Haman, and they have hanged him on the gallows because he tried to lay his hand on the Jews.” Esther 8:7. Esther was handed the house of Haman. She received all of Haman’s possessions and property. Defeat was placed into victory’s hands! Church, we too, can be handed the house of the enemy! If we ask, the Lord will rid the stronghold, rip apart the lofty things that exalt themselves against Him, and remove the strongman. Possessions and property of the defeated one can be handed over! The decree of the devil can be reversed, in the name of Jesus! We are called to be bold; to step to the throne; touch the scepter and ADVANCE THE
KINGDOM OF GOD!

SUMMARY

The Book of Esther gives us a picture of the church. We are first at the gate. Then we step into the palace. There we undergo the spiritual preparations needed for the next step. We require humility to handle authority and appropriate the victory. It is in the palace that we are faced with the riveting question: “Could it be that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” The throne awaits us. We have access. Have we been prepared? Are we ready to touch the scepter – prepared to say, as Esther did, “If I die, I die?” Do we have the boldness as a church to finish the bridal preparations, step to the throne and hold out our hand to the King’s scepter of righteousness?

After the death of Haman and rescue of the Jewish people, there was a celebration, called the Feast of Purim. According to Esther 8:16, “the Jews celebrated and had light and gladness and joy and honor.” The season of “mourning and fasting, weeping and wailing,” found in Esther 4:3 had ended. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Ps. 30:5

Let’s pray: Father, if we have found favor with You, hear our pray this day. We thank You for the season of being at the gate, God. We exalt Your Name on high that Your Son came to save us; and that He found us, waiting at the gate. Thank You, Father for entrance into Your royal palace. It is a wondrous place O God, and we thank You for the beauty preparations of holiness, of humility, of love, of righteousness and of cleansing. Thank You that You lovingly prepare us to be a bride without spot or blemish. Teach us to be holy. Teach us Your ways. Father, could it be that we have come to the kingdom for such a time as this? A time to complete the beauty preparations? Reveal to us the season, Father. Finish the preparations – let the 12 months come to pass. We see Your throne, we see Your scepter in front of us. Let us move in the Spirit to where You occupy the throne. Make us a ready Bride, Father. Prepare us for Your Son. We pray this in the name of Jesus, our soon returning King. Amen.