Ascending the Mountain of Love: Levels of Intimacy with God

"My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away." - Song of Solomon 2:10 (KJV)

In the grand tapestry of our spiritual journey, there exists a golden thread - an invitation to ascend the mountain of divine love. This call echoes through the corridors of time, from the lyrical whispers of the Song of Solomon to the triumphant proclamations in Revelation. It is a call not merely to salvation, but to ever-deepening intimacy with our Creator.

As we embark on this exploration of spiritual ascent, let us envision our journey as climbing a majestic mountain. At its base, we find the vast multitude of believers, the Body of Christ in all its diversity and beauty. Yet, the summit beckons, promising views of unimagined splendor for those willing to make the arduous climb.

The journey begins with a simple step of faith, an response to the divine invitation: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away" (Song of Solomon 2:10 KJV). This initial awakening to God's love marks our entry into the Body of Christ. Here, we find unity in diversity, each member uniquely gifted yet integrally connected. As Paul reminds us, "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:12 KJV).

But the journey doesn't end here. As we continue our ascent, we encounter a deeper call - the invitation to become the Bride of Christ. This level of intimacy requires more than mere membership; it demands preparation, purification, and an all-consuming love. The Bride's heart echoes the words, "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine" (Song of Solomon 6:3 KJV). It is a place of profound intimacy and expectant preparation for the Bridegroom's return.

Yet, even beyond this, we find scripture hinting at an even higher plane of spiritual maturity - what some have termed the "Man-child." This concept, drawn from Revelation 12:5, speaks of a level of spiritual growth marked by overcoming, ruling, and being "caught up unto God, and to his throne." It represents the pinnacle of spiritual maturity, where believers not only love Christ deeply but also reflect His character and authority in remarkable ways.

The ascent through these levels is not a journey for the faint of heart. It requires overcoming - overcoming our flesh, the world's allure, and the enemy's schemes. "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" (Revelation 3:21 KJV). This overcoming often involves confronting the "mixture" in our lives - those areas where we've allowed the world's values to commingle with God's truth.

As we climb, we find that each level of intimacy comes with a cost. The higher we ascend, the more we must leave behind. Our comfort zones, our self-reliance, our worldly ambitions - all must be surrendered in exchange for greater intimacy with God. Yet, with each sacrifice comes greater revelation, deeper joy, and more profound purpose.

"Each level of intimacy comes with a cost. The higher we ascend, the more we must leave behind."

The Song of Solomon provides a beautiful roadmap for this ascent. We see the Shulamite bride progress from initial attraction ("Draw me, we will run after thee" - Song of Solomon 1:4 KJV) to mature, reciprocal love ("I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me" - Song of Solomon 7:10 KJV). Her journey parallels our own spiritual growth, from the first blush of salvation to the deep, abiding intimacy of spiritual maturity.

Trials and challenges form an integral part of this ascent. Just as a muscle must be stressed to grow stronger, our faith must be tested to mature. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing" (James 1:2-4 KJV). These trials serve to purify us, stripping away all that hinders our upward progress.

The ultimate goal of this ascent is nothing short of Christlikeness. As John writes, "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2 KJV). This transformation is both our highest calling and our preparation for the Lord's return.

As we near the summit, we find that the reward for our arduous climb is beyond anything we could have imagined. Not only do we experience the unparalleled joy of deep intimacy with God, but we are also prepared to rule with Christ. "And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:10 KJV). This is the magnificent destiny awaiting those who persevere to the heights of spiritual maturity.

Dear reader, wherever you find yourself on this mountain of divine love, be encouraged. The same voice that calls from the summit is also the hand that guides each step. Every believer is invited to this ascent, though few choose to pay the price to reach the heights. Will you respond to the call to "come away" with your Beloved? Will you press on toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus?

"The same voice that calls from the summit is also the hand that guides each step."

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of Your invitation to ascend the mountain of Your love. We thank You for the privilege of being part of the Body of Christ, for the intimacy of being called Your Bride, and for the high calling represented by the Man-child.

Lord, we ask for the courage to respond to Your call to "come away" with You. Grant us the strength to overcome every obstacle, to shed every weight that would hinder our climb. Help us to recognize and remove any "mixture" in our lives that dilutes our devotion to You.

As we ascend, transform us, Lord. May we grow in maturity, moving from glory to glory, ever more conformed to the image of Christ. Prepare us, through every trial and triumph, for deeper intimacy with You and for the return of our Bridegroom.

We long to know You more deeply, to love You more fully, and to serve You more faithfully. May our lives be a testament to the transforming power of Your love, drawing others to begin their own ascent of this glorious mountain.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)

Based on Wade Taylor's message "The Song of Solomon — Part 3."