Dear John and Doves,

This is my first time sending a letter, please know that you all are a blessing.  

Although there are many Christians in this world, it is very hard to find other people who literally watch for our Savior's coming.

This community of believers has been a comfort and an encouragement to me for many years.  Only in heaven will you each

truly know the part you have played in the encouragement of the saints. I hope this will be a blessing to you all.

The morning of March 4th as I was praying and reading the Word, I hear the words "Prepare the Way, Prepare the Way"  pop into my mind.

ok, so I ask God, "If this is you (and not me...)  please let me know what this is supposed to mean."

Next I hear, "Five Dove, Five Doves"

ok, so I go to FD that morning expecting to see a title called "Prepare the Way"  or something close....nope, not there

So, I figure it was perhaps wishful thinking on my part and settle into reading all your letters.  After finishing I returned to my Bible and prayed.

I said, "Father I didn't read anything that seemed like it fit your word to me today, so perhaps there is a scripture that would reveal your meaning"

In my spirit I felt He said, "John 11".  

Turn to John 11.  Its the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.  Yep, at this point I think I am just making stuff up in my head, but I read it anyway

just to make sure. And then He reveals the Pearl.  You know, that beautiful treasure hidden in plain sight. That passage of His Word you've read

dozens of times only to discover something totally new. And your heart leaps.  

As I was reading along I came to this verse. 

John 11:43-44 

When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus come out!"

[44] The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped in strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.

Wait a minute... that rings a bell! One of the letters that day was from Jan.

In it she shared the importance of the dead in Christ rising first, quoting from 1 Thessalonians. 

1Thess. 4 16-18

[16]For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel 

and the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

[17] After that we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

And so we shall be with the Lord forever.

[18] Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Now He has my attention.  No place else in scripture does Jesus raise the dead with a "loud voice".  

As I keep reading I am even more amazed.  

John 12: 1-3

Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived in Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus raised from the dead. 

[2] Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor.  Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

[3] Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair.

And the house was filled the fragrance of the perfume.

Do you see it?  A dinner, given in Jesus' honor. Six days before Passover.

At the table is Lazarus... raised from the dead,  the living,  and the Lord.

It just seemed to me that this scripture was a wonderful shadow of the coming wedding supper of the Lamb. 

The dinner we long for, with our Lord and our loved ones.  

I asked the Lord the significance of Martha and Mary.  I felt he revealed that they are symbols of the living church.  

Martha serves, and Mary's perfume represents the worship and the prayers of the saints. 

I know there is much more to be revealed in this passage of scripture, such as those waiting at the Temple looking for Jesus.  

And I'm sure that there will be others who can add so much more. But I hope that this little pearl will be an encouragement to those of us who everyday 

"look up".

Blessings in Him,

Lynn S.