Dressed for Eternity
Author
Ms. Marilynn Dawson
Author Bio
Marilynn grew up in a solid Christian home, coming to Christ at the age of 7. She has been actively involved in Church life since age 10, including activities such as joining her Mom and sister in singing special numbers, choir, teaching Sunday School, leading Sunday School open session, planning Sunday School lessons, and more. Marilynn attended both public and private schools growing up. She attended North Island Community College on Vancouver Island and Trend College in Kelowna, obtaining certificates in receptionist work and Comptia A+ computer repair.
Throughout her life, Marilynn has written poetry and published in the American Poetry Anthology(two issues). She wrote the series, “Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey”, “Mom’s Little Black Book: Godly Advice for the High School Graduate” ebook- “Practical Thoughts on Becoming an Author”,and has written numerous unpublished articles on end-time eschatology, written unpublished short stories, word studies and more.
Marilynn lives with her two teenagers, cat and gerbil, in Kelowna BC Canada. Her day job sees her fix computers and engage in multimedia for her church. In the evenings and on weekends she’s a soundtech doing various events through the year from funerals to workshops to concerts and weddings. Marilynn sings in the choir and sang on her church’s praise teams for several years.
Description
Marilynn Dawson, author of “Becoming the Bride of Christ: A Personal Journey”, “Mom’s Little Black Book: Godly Advice for the High School Graduate” and “Practical Thoughts on Becoming an Author” released her latest book, “Dressed for Eternity” in February of 2014.
Through practical research into down-to-earth materials, history and workmanship, Marilynn draws some interesting parallels to character God longs to see in the Bride of Christ. Lovers of history, archaeology, fine jewelry, fine food, bridal attire, fashion, and faith are invited to join her as she makes forays into Egypt, Yemen, Canaan, Rome and ultimately, the New Jerusalem.
Marilynn’s book seeks to answer the question, “How does God adorn His Bride in the Scriptures?” At first glance, this question seems entirely scandalous, particularly to the protestant evangelical or charismatic Christian. But as Marilynn observes, the notion is not out of line with those who worship female deities or who place prominent women in eternal places. Analogies, conclusions, and questions face men as well as women in this very different and eye-opening book.
The book covers such topics as The New Jerusalem, Aaron’s Breastplate, The Hebrew Tabernacle, the Levitical priestly garments, and even spends time discussing the thorny issue of modesty. Where possible, each discussion is illustrated with images depicting historical or current examples of items mentioned in Scripture. An extensive appendix at the back of the book allows the reader to delve further into their own research if they choose.
From diamonds and rubies to flour and olive oil, from silk weaving and embroidery to spiritual laundry, the Christ-follower will discover how all these things typify character that God longs to see in the Bride of Christ. This reference to the Bride of Christ is explained briefly in the book’s introductory chapter, so that the reader has a basis from which to enjoy the remaining pages. Ancient Jewish wedding customs are discussed, and their links are provided at the back of the book as well.
Do you enjoy history? Archaeology? Ancient Civilization? Textiles? Jewelry? Fine Food? You’ll find all this here and then some! Find out what spots and wrinkles are and how to get rid of or even prevent them. This book is great for the hands-on learner.
Book excerpt
The Bride’s Preparations
I wish to spend a few minutes now discussing the preparations of the bride. These are important for the Church to take note of, because it is due to these steps being forgotten by Israel that God found Himself issuing a writ of divorce from His betrothal to her.
The most important of her preparations was, and for the modern observing Jewish bride, still is, the Mikveh, which is a ceremonial purification bath, preferably in moving water (as opposed to still), when available.
The concept of doing Mikveh as a ceremonial washing to purify one’s self from past sins has been done throughout Jewish history, not merely for bridal prep, but for other important situations as well. This is why when John the Baptist came baptizing for sins, the people had questions.
John 3:23-30 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24For John was not yet cast into prison. 25Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30He must increase, but I must decrease.
As we go through this book, we will see just how important this concept of Mikveh is for the Bride of Christ.
The ancient Jewish bride was to be sewing her bridal outfit and displaying her undivided devotion to her groom. She was to complete her preparations with anticipation that her groom could come at any time.
Ancient Yemeni Jewish brides had a very complicated, very flashy bridal outfit to prepare and assemble. It would appear that this is the oldest known ancient Jewish bridal attire available upon which to conduct our study. However, similarities between it and a few passages of Scripture suggest that if this was not the outfit worn by Israeli Jewish brides, that what the writers saw was very close.
To this day, Yemenite Jewish brides continue to wear the ancient headdress and outfit. At least one other author has given the headdress the term “Bride Price”. You will see just how appropriate that term is when we reach that section of our discussion.
Various authors have written entire books on the ancient Jewish bridal practises, so I will not delve deeper at this stage. But with the introduction given here, let us begin our first discussion, by looking at how the Bride of Christ is described in the book of Revelation.
Author Website
http://songdove.fa-ct.com/wordpress-mu/songdovemusings/
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Marilynn Dawson’s book Dressed for Eternity is a thorough examination of how clothing styles in the Bible symbolizes various aspects of spirituality. She covers specific items, such as Aaron’s breastplate, as well as more general things such as the difference in the type of robes men and women wore in biblical times. But her book is not just a historical examination of articles of clothing, each chapter also includes a section entitled “What does this mean to the Body of Christ.” I found those sections of the book to be the very valuable as Marilynn makes practical applications between biblical clothing and current real life issues facing the modern church. I also found the pictures helpful, as they helped me visualize more clearly many things in the Bible that were mere words before. Another helpful section of the book was the brief description she gives of what it means to be modest in various countries of the world. I had not heard of many of those modesty rules before and found them fascinating. I recommend this book to those who want a deeper understanding of how God can use something as common as clothing to teach rich Biblical truth.
Terry Dorsett, Director, Next Generation Evangelistic Network and
Author of Teaming Up: Using Our Spiritual Gifts Effectively