Preparation for Meeting the BridegroomHow Does One Prepare for Christ's Return?By Arlen L. Chitwood All Christians will one day go forth to meet the Bridegroom, subsequently appearing before Christ at His judgment seat (cf. Matt. 25:1ff). And prior preparation will be required if the ones appearing are to hear the Lord, in that day, say, "Well done, good and faithful servant..." (cf. Matt. 25:19-23; Luke 19:15-19). John the Baptist, during the course of his ministry, referred to Christ's future dealings with Christians, at His judgment seat; and, in so doing, he drew from events occurring on a threshing floor at the end of the harvest:
The threshing floor was the place where the sheaves of grain were brought to be threshed, followed by winnowing to separate the grain from the chaff. That is, the sheaves of grain were brought to this place and beaten to loosen the grain. The mixture of grain, straw, and chaff was then thrown against the wind to separate the grain from the chaff and stubble. And the grain was then stored on the threshing floor and normally guarded during the ensuing night by someone sleeping at the site. On the threshing floor, that of value (the grain) was separated from that of no value (the chaff), which is exactly what will occur at Christ's judgment seat. The Christians' works will be tried "in fire," and a separation will occur. Works comparable to "gold, silver, precious stones" will endure the fire; but works comparable to "wood, hay, stubble" will be burned by the fire (I Cor. 3:11-15). This is what was foreshadowed by John's reference to a separation of the wheat from the chaff, with the wheat being gathered into the granary and the chaff being burned. The whole of the matter -- preparation, events on the threshing floor, and that which follows -- is seen outlined in a typical manner in the Book of Ruth. Ruth prepared herself in a threefold manner for meeting Boaz on his threshing floor at the end of the harvest. Ruth washed herself, anointed herself, and clothed herself with proper garments before going forth to meet Boaz (Ruth 3:3). And meeting Boaz in this manner, on his threshing floor, was with a view to two things: the redemption of an inheritance, and Ruth becoming Boaz's wife (vv. 9ff). This meeting also occurred at "midnight" (v. 8), foreshadowing, typically, a time of judgment (in complete keeping with both the first mention of "midnight" in Scripture [used in connection with judgment -- Ex. 11:4] and with the overall type in the light of Matt. 3:11, 12). Ruth's preparation in the type is the same preparation which Christian's must make in the antitype. Ruth prepared herself, after a certain fashion, to meet Boaz on his threshing floor, at midnight, with a view to a redeemed inheritance and becoming his wife; and Christians must likewise prepare themselves, after the same fashion, to meet Christ on His threshing floor, at midnight, with a view to a redeemed inheritance and becoming His wife. "Wash Thyself" "Washing" has to do with a cleansing from present defilement. Within the scope of the ministry of priests in the Old Testament, a complete washing of the body occurred at the point one entered into the priesthood, never to be repeated (Ex. 29:4; 40:12-15). Subsequent washings of parts of the body then occurred at the brazen laver in the courtyard of the tabernacle as the priests ministered between the brazen altar and the Holy Place (Ex. 30:19-21). Their hands and feet became soiled as they carried out their ministry, and the brazen laver had upper and lower basins for washing these soiled parts of the body. Washings in the Old Testament were thus looked upon in two senses -- a washing of the complete body (a one-time initial cleansing), followed by washings of parts of the body (numerous subsequent cleansings). It was these two types of cleansings which Jesus referred to when speaking to Peter in John 13:8, 10:
Peter had been washed once (described by the word louo [his complete body]); now he needed continued washings (described by the word nipto [parts of the body]). And, apart from these continued washings, he could have no part "with" Christ (contextually, the kingdom and positions with Christ therein were in view). Bringing the typological teachings of the Old Testament and Christ's statement to Peter over into the lives of Christians today, the matter would be thus: Christians, part of a New Testament priesthood (I Peter 2:5), received a complete washing (louo, the entire body) at the time they entered this priesthood, at the time they were saved. Now, as priests ministering for their Lord, because of defilement through contact with the world, they need continued partial washings (nipto, parts of the body). And, apart from these continued washings, Christians can have no part with Christ in His future kingdom. All cleansing is accomplished on the basis of Christ's past and present work in relation to His shed blood. Christ died at Calvary, shedding His blood, to effect our redemption. Those appropriating the blood have been washed (louo) and have entered into the priesthood (corresponding in the parallel type to the death of the paschal lambs and the application of the blood in Ex. 12:1ff). And Christ's blood is today on the mercy seat of the heavenly tabernacle, with Christ ministering, on the basis of His shed blood, on our behalf, in the Holy of Holies, to effect a continued cleansing (nipto) for the "kings and priests" (Rev. 1:6; 5:10) which He is about to bring forth. Thus, the Lord has set apart a cleansed (louo) people through whom He is accomplishing His plans and purposes. And He has provided a means whereby He can keep those whom He has set apart clean (nipto). Cleansing through the work of Christ as High Priest though is not something which occurs automatically. Ruth had to act herself. She had to prepare herself for the impending meeting with Boaz on his threshing floor. And Christians must likewise prepare themselves for an impending meeting with Christ on His threshing floor. In Ruth's case, she washed herself. Today, Christ does the washing, but Christians, as Ruth, must act. It is only as we "confess our sins," judging ourselves (I Cor. 11:31, 32), that Christ effects cleansing on our behalf.
"Anoint Thee" "Oil" was used in the Old Testament Scriptures to anoint prophets, priests, and kings; and there was a connection between the use of oil after this fashion and the Holy Spirit coming upon an individual to empower him for duties in the office to which he was being consecrated. For example, Saul was anointed the first king over Israel (I Sam. 10:1, 6); and, following Saul's refusal to do that which God had commanded concerning Amalek, David was anointed king in Saul's stead (I Sam. 16:13). And, as clearly shown, "oil" is used in both these passages to symbolize God's Spirit. The Spirit came upon both Saul and David following their anointing, and the Spirit empowered both for the tasks which they were to perform. The parable of the ten virgins in Matt. 25:1-13 deals centrally with this same overall issue, with "oil" used symbolically in the parable in exactly the same manner as it is used in the Old Testament. All of the virgins possessed oil, but only the five wise virgins possessed an extra supply of oil. And when they were called to an accounting -- at "midnight," -- only the five wise virgins were allowed to enter into the marriage festivities with the Bridegroom (vv. 6ff). That would be to say, in the antitype, all Christians possess the Holy Spirit. He indwells every Christian. But not every Christian has the extra supply of Oil. Not every Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit. And when Christians are called to an accounting -- at "midnight" -- only those filled with the Spirit will be allowed to enter into the marriage festivities with the Bridegroom. This is what is involved within the symbolism of the second part of Ruth's preparation for meeting Boaz on his threshing floor at midnight. Ruth could not have been properly prepared for meeting Boaz apart from anointing herself; the ten virgins, in like fashion, could not have been properly prepared for meeting the Bridegroom at midnight apart from each possessing an extra supply of oil; and Christians today cannot be properly prepared for meeting their Lord at midnight apart from being filled with the Spirit. And this will all become evident when the third and last part of Ruth's preparation is viewed, for an inseparable connection exists between all three parts. "Put Thy Raiment Upon Thee" Not only was Ruth to be clean and to be anointed with oil but she was also to be properly arrayed. Ruth was going forth to meet the bridegroom. Naomi's words, "put thy raiment upon thee," in the light of that which was involved (events expected to culminate in Ruth's marriage to Boaz), can only refer to special apparel for the occasion. Ruth's apparel, in which she was to clothe herself, would reflect the occasion at hand. This facet of Ruth's preparation, pointing to present preparation which Christians are to make, is seen in the parable of the marriage feast in Matt. 22:1-14. In this parable, a man appeared, improperly clothed, at the festivities surrounding the marriage of "a certain" King's Son. This man appeared without a wedding garment; and he was not only denied entrance into the festivities but he was cast into the darkness outside.
The "certain king" and "his son" in Matt. 22:2 can refer to none other than God the Father and His Son, with the festivities surrounding the "marriage of the Lamb" in view. In Rev. 19:7, 8, the bride is said to have made herself ready by having arrayed herself ("array herself" rather than "be arrayed" is the correct rendering in v. 8) in "fine linen"; and this "fine linen" is specifically said to be "the righteousness [lit. 'righteous acts'] of the saints." Christians, as Ruth, must array themselves in the proper apparel for their future meeting with the Bridegroom. Righteous acts, forming the wedding garment, emanate out of faithfulness to one's calling. Works emanate out of faithfulness; and works, in turn, bring faith to its proper goal, while the wedding garment is being formed (cf. Heb. 11:17-19, 31; James 2:14-26; I Peter 1:9). And it is evident that a Christian not filled with the Spirit -- typified by the second part of Ruth's preparation, anointing herself -- is in no position to perform righteous acts (works) which make up the wedding garment. Scripture clearly reveals that Christians will appear in the presence of Christ in one of two ways. Some will possess wedding garments, and others will not. The words "clothed" and "naked" are used in Scripture to distinguish between the appearance of individuals in these two different manners (Rev. 3:17, 18; cf. Rom. 8:35); and Christians within both groups will be dealt with in accordance with Matt. 22:10-13. Those Christians properly clothed (possessing wedding garments) will be dealt with after one fashion, and those improperly clothed (lacking wedding garments, naked) will be dealt with after an entirely different fashion. Those in the former group will have previously become the wife of the Lamb and be allowed to enter into the marriage festivities, with a view to their subsequently occupying positions as co-heirs with Christ in His kingdom, forming His consort queen. Those in the latter group though will be denied entrance into the marriage festivities and will consequently not be among those forming the wife of the Lamb, His consort queen, and all that appertains therein. Accordingly, they will have no part with Christ in His reign over the earth. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
“Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us celebrate and ascribe to Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb [at last] has come, and His bride has prepared herself. She has been permitted to dress in fine (radiant) linen, dazzling and white – for the fine linen is (signifies, represents) the righteousness (the upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) of the saints (God’s holy people). Then [the angel] said to me, Write this down: Blessed (happy, to be envied) are those who are summoned (invited, called) to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said to me [further], These are the true words (the genuine and exact declarations) of God” Revelation 19: 7-9, AMP.
Who will be present?It is the Bride of Christ who will be at the Marriage Supper – those whom Jesus catches up to Heaven in the Rapture. At the present time the church is promised to Christ as a bride; she is engaged to Jesus. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church, “You need to know that God’s passion is burning inside me for you, because, like a loving father, I have pledged your hand in marriage to Christ, your true bridegroom. I’ve also promised that I would present his fiancée to him as a pure virgin bride” 2 Corinthians 11: 2, TPT. The Bride will consist of the ‘dead in Christ’ and those caught up together with them to meet Jesus in the air when He comes at the Rapture. The Bride is made up of those who have given their life to Jesus and lived for Him, not for themselves, during the Church Age, from Pentecost until the Rapture. Righteousness identifies the Bride
The key to identifying the Bride is found in her clothing – ‘fine linen’ (Revelation 19) which represents ‘the righteous acts of the saints.’ Additional scriptures add to our understanding of this important point. Discussing the responsibilities of husbands and wives in his letter to the Ephesian church, Apostle Paul likened this human relationship to the beautiful spiritual relationship between Jesus and the church. The relationship between Christ and His church will be based on righteousness. With this spiritual relationship in mind, Paul wrote: “… the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: for we are members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. 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.” Ephesians 5: 23-29, KJV. Jesus addresses His BrideWe, the church, are already engaged to Jesus as Paul stated. The Lord Jesus told His Apostles in John 14: 1-3 (using the very words the typical Eastern bridegroom would have spoken) that He was going away to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house (Heaven) and that He would come again to receive them to Himself so that they might be together with Him forever. As I know a little about arranged marriage customs from my previous missionary work in India, where a bridegroom would literally build a spacious, well-designed extension to his father’s house where he and his bride would live together when everything was ready, it is clear to me that the Apostles would have been speechless with astonishment to hear Jesus speaking to them in such terms. Here He was addressing men in exactly the same beautiful, traditional marriage phraseology that an Eastern bridegroom uses as he declares his love to his fiancée at the betrothal. Jesus spoke these endearingly tender words during His long final discourse to His beloved Apostles in the Upper Room in Jerusalem where they were celebrating the Passover together on the evening before He was crucified. The Bride must live a holy life
Jesus will return for a holy Bride, who resembles Himself. Strong emphasis on being righteous is a consistent theme throughout the Bible. Through Moses, God told the ancient Israelites: “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy” Leviticus 19:2, KJV. Speaking of those who would be in the Kingdom of God, Jesus said, “Not every one that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” [practise lawlessness], Matthew 7:21-23. KJV. The Apostles taught the same message. Peter wrote to the brethren, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” [referring here to our conduct]. 1 Peter 1:15, KJV. The Bride of Christ, the church, will consist of people who, upon receiving God’s grace: the unmerited pardon for their sins through repentance and, having been baptised will, with the help of God’s Holy Spirit, live righteous lives.
Who selects the Bride?In our modern world, most men and women choose whom they will marry. In years gone by, parents often selected their children’s bride or bridegroom. In the Old Testament many marriages were arranged by the parents. An outstandingly beautiful example of an arranged marriage is that of Abraham sending his servant to pick a wife for his son Isaac (See Genesis 24:1-4). In the case of the marriage of the Lamb, it is God the Father who chooses the Bride for His Son. Jesus made this very clear to His disciples when He said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” John 6:44. Emphasising this point further, Jesus said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to me unless it has been granted to him by my Father” John 6: 65, KJV. Are we storing up treasures in Heaven?
Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6: 20). He linked this command to the desire of our hearts: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21; see also verses 10–20). We are to treasure the Lord Jesus most of all. When Jesus Himself is our treasure, we will commit our resources – our money, our time, our talents – to His work in this world, rather than using them solely for our own personal benefit. The Bible teaches that the Lord views as extremely important our motivation for everything that we do. In the days of the Roman Empire there were many Christians in the churches who were slaves: men and women who worked for a living as servants to the wealthy. In his letter to the Colossians Paul specifically addresses them, explaining that God has an eternal reward for those who are motivated to serve Christ first and foremost: Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossian church, “Let every employee listen well and follow the instructions of their employer, not just when their employers are watching, and not in pretense, but faithful in all things. For we are to live our lives with pure hearts in the constant awe and wonder of our Lord God. Put your heart and soul into every activity you do, as though you are doing it for the Lord himself and not merely for others. For we know that we will receive a reward, an inheritance from the Lord, as we serve the Lord Yahweh, the Anointed One! A disciple will be repaid for what he has learned and followed, for God pays no attention to the titles or prestige of men” Colossians 3:22-24, TPT. When we live sacrificially for Jesus’ sake, serving the body of Christ, we are storing up treasures for ourselves in heaven. Even seemingly small acts of service do not go unnoticed by God for Jesus said, “Whoever gives a cup of cold water to one of my humble disciples, I promise you, he will not go unrewarded” Matthew 10:42, TPT.
Some Christians with more noticeable gifts such as singing, or playing a musical instrument, writing or painting, might be tempted to use their gift for their own glory. Those who use their gifts coveting the praise of men rather than seeking God’s glory, receive their ‘payment’ in full here and now. The applause of men was the extent of the Pharisees’ reward (Matthew 6:16). Why should we work for the applause of men when we can have so much greater reward in heaven? The Lord will always faithfully reward us for the service we give to Him. The writer to the Hebrews states, “For God, the Faithful One, is not unfair. How can he forget the work you have done for him? He remembers the love you demonstrate as you continually serve his beloved ones for the glory of his name” Hebrews 6:10, TPT. Our ministries may differ, but we are serving the same Lord. Apostle Paul wrote, “Now, the one who plants and the one who waters are equally important and on the same team, but each will be rewarded for his own work” 1 Corinthians 3:8, TPT. In Matthew 19: 16-30 we read that the rich young man loved his money more than he loved God. The issue wasn’t that the young man was rich, but that he ‘treasured’ his riches and did not ‘treasure’ what he could have in Christ. Jesus told the man to sell his possessions and give to the poor, “and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (verse 21). The young man went away from Jesus sad, because he was very rich. He chose this world’s treasure and so did not lay up any treasure in heaven. He was unwilling to make Jesus his treasure. The young man was very religious and Jesus exposed his heart of greed. We are warned in the Bible not to lose our full reward by following after false teachers. Apostle John wrote, “Numerous deceivers have surfaced from among us and gone out into the world, people who will not acknowledge Jesus Christ coming as a man. These deceivers are antichrists! Be on your guard so that you do not lose all that we have diligently worked for but receive a full reward” 1 John 1:7-8, TPT. This is why it is so important to be in God’s Word daily. In that way we can recognise false teaching when we hear it. Paul urges Timothy, “Always be eager to present yourself before God as a perfect and mature minister, without shame, as one who correctly explains the Word of Truth” 2 Timothy 2:15, TPT. The treasures that await the child of God will far outweigh any trouble, inconvenience, or persecution we may be called upon to face (Romans 8: 18). We can serve the Lord with all our heart knowing that God is the One who is keeping a record of our life, and His reward for us will be abundantly gracious. Rewards in Heaven
Experiencing Jesus, His glory, and the joys of Heaven will be so wonderful, it’s hard to understand why extra rewards would be needed. Since our faith rests in Christ’s righteousness and not our own (Romans 3: 21-26), it seems strange that our works would merit reward. God will give rewards to us in Heaven for many different reasons. He will reward our faithfulness in service according to His calling on our lives. The rewards will show the reality of our sonship (Galatians 4:7). God will give rewards in heaven in order to fulfil the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7-9). Our Heavenly Father will make good on His promise that “our labour in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15: 58). Jesus will share His own reward with usOne reason for the rewards in heaven is the fact that Jesus actually shares His own reward with us. Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” Galatians 2:20, KJV. Our lives are “hidden” with Christ, who is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3: 1-4). We die with Jesus and we live with Him (Romans 6:8). The Word makes it clear that we will also share in His joy: in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30, KJV) the Master says, in verse 21, to the servant who had faithfully used all the talents he was given, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Our lives are inextricably linked with the life of Jesus. The reward He receives will be shared with all of us: “If we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” Romans 8:17, KJV. The rewards we gain in heaven are not like the rewards we earn here on earth. We tend to think in material terms – jewels, wealth etc. But these things are only representations of the true rewards we will gain in heaven. A child who wins a school prize treasures the trophy he receives not for the sake of the trophy itself but for what that trophy means. Likewise, any rewards or honour we gain in heaven will be precious to us because they carry the weight and meaning of our relationship with God—and because they remind us of what He did through us on earth. In this way, rewards in heaven glorify God and provide us with joy, peace, and wonder as we consider God’s work in us and through us. The closer we were to God during our life on the earth, the more centred on Him and aware of Him, the more dependent on Him, the more desperate for His mercy, the more we will have to celebrate in Heaven. Rewards in heaven are the completion of our earthly story, and those rewards will be eternally satisfying. Crowns that will be awarded in Heaven
#. Stephanos. This was the victor’s crown, the wreath given to the victorious athlete before the judge at the Bema. It is the word used of the crowns promised to believers for faithfulness in the Christian life. #. Diadem is the word used for the royal crown, the crown of a king. To emphasise that Jesus is King of kings, this word is also used of the many diadems the Lord will wear at His return, and is mentioned in Revelation 19:12. The principle here is that our Lord Jesus is the victor, and our victory is really His victory which is appropriated by faith. Crowns are given as rewards for faithfulness to appropriate God’s grace and Christ’s victory in the Christian life. They remind us of our responsibility to abide in the vine. #. The Incorruptible Crown (1 Corinthians 9:25). This title describes all the crowns. It contrasts our crowns with the temporal and temporary treasure of this life. It is also a special crown given for faithfulness in running the race and exercising self-control in order to serve the Lord and finish the race. #. The Crown of Exultation or Rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19 and Philippians 4:1). This crown is a reward given for witnessing, follow-up, and ministry to others. In one sense, the Thessalonians will be Paul’s crown, and the effect at the Bema (Judgment Seat of Christ) throughout eternity will be rejoicing or exultation over their presence in heaven. Paul may also have in mind a personal crown or reward that he will receive because of them. #. The Crown of Life (James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10). This crown is given for enduring testings (trials) and temptation. The crown is not eternal life, which is a gift through faith in Christ alone (John 4:10, Romans 3:24; 5:15-17; 6:23, and Ephesians 2:8), but a reward for enduring trials and overcoming temptation. #. The Crown of Righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8). This crown is a reward given for faithfulness to use our gifts and opportunities in the service of the Lord and for loving His appearing. Note that these two things go together. To love His appearing is to live in the light of it. #. The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4). This crown is a reward promised to Pastors and Elders for faithfulness in the discharge of their responsibilities in shepherding the people. Since Jesus Christ alone is worthy, and because we can only be fruitful when we abide in Him allowing His life to fill our life, we will all cast our crowns before Him in recognition that everything of any worth that we have done was done by His grace. We will cast our crowns before the feet of Jesus
In Revelation we see the vision that Jesus gave John of the scene in heaven where “the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’” Revelation 4: 10-11, KJV. Jesus promised various rewards for those who faithfully serve Him on earth. These may be the crowns that John saw the elders lay at the feet of Jesus. In their worship, they indicate that, despite what they may have done on earth to earn these crowns, only Jesus is truly worthy of glory and honour. In the presence of the Lord Jesus Himself, all good deeds we have done will pale in comparison. A crown will seem an infinitesimal gift to present to the One who gave His life for us. The elders’ response is most likely to be the way we will all respond when we receive our reward from Jesus. We will be so overcome with gratitude because of what He has done for us that our worship will be spontaneous. Regardless of what we have endured on earth our priceless crown will seem a trivial offering indeed, but it will be the best gift we can give Him. Although the Scriptures do not state this, it is likely that we will follow the example of the twenty-four elders in casting our crowns at Jesus’ feet. How will the Bride be made ready for marriage?As we noted previously, the Bride will be made ready for her marriage to Jesus at the Bema: the Judgment Seat of Christ in Heaven. She will be handsomely rewarded for everything in her life that has pleased God by bearing fruit for the Kingdom. However, at the Bema every failure to bear fruit in her life on earth, every single oversight, her lack of awareness of how she could be a blessing to poor people in dire need when she had more than enough for herself, her lack of awareness of the calling of God on her life – or maybe even her downright refusal to leave her comfort zone for the sake of the gospel… all these issues come under the heading of Wood, Hay and Stubble and will be consumed by fire (see 1 Corinthians 3). The Bride will realise to her shame how much eternal reward she has forfeited by not asking for the grace of God so freely offered her, and always more than sufficient for her needs. She will learn where she has failed to be a ‘doer of the Word.’ All our work that was not done out of love for Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit, will be consumed by fire as wood, hay and stubble on that day. The Bride will now be totally perfected: “not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing… holy and without blemish” Ephesians 5: 27, KJV. She will emerge pure and radiant after this purging, which awaits every one of us at the Judgment Seat. She will cast her crown(s) at the feet of Jesus lost in love, wonder and adoration of her glorious Lord. Jesus will escort His Bride, now perfected, into the Marriage Supper – a splendid banquet indeed! I believe that Jesus Himself, together with the Angels, will wait upon His Bride in love. Then will we forever be with the Lord. Note from So Greatly LovedIn my next article, unless the Lord leads otherwise, it is my intention to write more fully on how some of us may be forfeiting eternal rewards unawares. I am finding writing this series really challenging, and I pray that it will be a blessing to you, as it is to me. |
The Arrangement
The Preparation
The Fetching of the Bride
The Marriage Ceremony
The Marriage Feast
The Home of the Wife of the Lamb
Conclusion
The two stages of the marriage ritual.
The first stage of the Jewish wedding system is the arrangement. The father of the bridegroom and the father of the bride arrange the wedding. A bride price is paid and, according to Fruchtenbaum (2005:3), in the case of the bride of Christ, the price was the blood of the Son: “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it” (Ephesians 5:25b; cf. John 3:16). The arrangement was thus sealed with blood.
The second stage is the preparation. It covers the period of betrothal which could last for a minimum of a year or a longer time. During this time, the bride is prepared and trained to take on the role of a wife and her purity is observed. Paul writes: “For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2).
Through the Word of God, the bride is set apart for her future Husband so “that He might sanctify it, having washed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:26-27). In the future the bride will be glorified. In her glorious state, the bride will have no spot or wrinkle, meaning she will have no outward or inward defilement of any sort and there will not be any evidence of aging (Fruchtenbaum 2005:5).
During the preparation or betrothal stage, what security does the bride have that the Bridegroom will come to fetch her? During the Church age (from Pentecost until the rapture), every believer is baptised and therefore united or placed “in Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:13). Further, the bride is given gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14; Ephesians 4) and sealed with the Holy Spirit, which certifies ownership and protection.
What does the Bridegroom do during the betrothal period? He prepares a place for his bride: “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:2-3).
The third stage of the Jewish wedding system is the fetching of the bride: “The groom would go to the house of the bride on the wedding day to fetch her to his home” (Fruchtenbaum 2005:5). God will announce this event with a shout and a trumpet blast and Christ will appear in the atmospheric heavens to fetch the universal Church (1 Thessalonians 4:15-16). All believers from Pentecost until the rapture are baptised “in Christ” and they will be fetched. At the time of the rapture, only the dead “in Christ” will be resurrected, meaning their spirits will be united with their resurrected, glorified bodies. Church age believers “in Christ” that are still physically alive will be changed: without experiencing physical death and, in the twinkling of an eye, they will exchange their mortal bodies for glorified bodies (1 Corinthians 15:50-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
Stage four takes place privately in the home of the Bridegroom and is not the wedding feast, but rather the marriage ceremony (Fruchtenbaum 2005:6). Perhaps one can add that believers who died prior to Pentecost will likely attend this wedding ceremony as “friends of the Bridegroom” (cf. John 3:29). Just before the wedding ceremony takes place in heaven, Church age believers will appear before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:10-12; 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10). This judgement is not to punish or to condemn — “there is now no condemnation for those who are “in Christ” (Romans 8:1) — but to reward Church age believers for worthy works done subsequent to their salvation. Revelation 19:7-8 describes the wedding ceremony where a glorified bride marries her Bridegroom: “For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready. And it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright and pure: for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”
After the private wedding ceremony comes the public marriage feast (stage five). The Father invites many to attend the marriage feast of his Son, but only believers can attend (cf. Matthew 22:1-14). Whereas the wedding ceremony will take place in heaven, the marriage feast will take place on earth. Once the Father has made all Christ’s enemies his footstool during the seven-year Tribulation period (cf. Matthew 22:44; Hebrews 2:8), Christ will return to the earth to establish the Messianic kingdom in terms of the Davidic kingdom. Old Testament saints and Tribulation saints will also attend the wedding feast (cf. Isaiah 25:6; 26:19; Daniel 12:2; Revelation 19:9; 20:4-6). The marriage feast will begin the Messianic kingdom (Fruchtenbaum 2005:7).
The Messianic kingdom will exist for a thousand years, then the final rebellion will occur, Christ will then judge all unbelievers of all time at the great white throne judgement and then the Messianic kingdom will merge into the Eternal order (1 Corinthians 15:20-28; Revelation 20:1-15). The final abode of the Wife of the Lamb will be the New Jerusalem in the Eternal order (Revelation 21:9-22:5).
As the Bridegroom, Christ shows the unfathomable depths of his love for his bride by dying for her on the cross. He has betrothed her and she is being sanctified by the washing of the Word. At the moment the Church is still called the bride of Christ. But soon the marriage ceremony will take place in heaven and the glorified bride will become the Wife of the Lamb. The marriage feast will follow thereafter on earth in the kingdom.
To Christ be the glory, great things He has done, great things He is doing – and great things He will yet do!
Christ is the Bridegroom at the marriage and his Church is the Bride. The word "church" (Greek ekklesia), appears nineteen times (in Revelation 1-3), and does not appear again until (Revelation 22:16), emphasizing the absence of the Church from the earth during the judgments of (Rev. chapters 4-18).
"I heard a great voice of much people in heaven": The people are the same with the 144,000 seen with the Lamb on Mount Zion (Revelation 14:1), and with those on the sea of glass, who had got the victory over the beast (Revelation 15:2), and are no other than God's covenant people, who are given to Christ, and made willing to be his in the day of his power. And though they are but a seed, a remnant, a small company, when compared with the world and carnal professors; yet are a large body of themselves.
Especially they will be now, when the nation of the Jews shall be born at once, and the fullness of the Gentiles will be brought in. And their voice on this occasion and the downfall of Rome, is said to be "great" partly because of their number. Who will join in acclamations of praise, and partly on account of their great affection and vehemence of spirit, which will be raised hereby.
Revelation 19:2 "For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand."
“Judgments”: Saints long for the day of judgment (compare 6:10; 16:7; Isa. 9:7; Jer. 23:5). Godly people love righteousness and hate sin, for righteousness honors God and sin mocks Him. Believers long for a world of justice and it will come (verse 15; 2:27; 12:5).
It appears that those who were redeemed were looking on from heaven and approving of the destruction of Babel, because the Messiah was bringing justice and righteousness to the world.
There is a reassuring tone here telling the Lord that He was justified in His judgment. They have long waited for the time when God's justice would triumph. Now that time had come.
"Which did corrupt the earth with her fornication": Drew the kings and inhabitants of the Roman empire into wicked and idolatrous practices, and so corrupted and destroyed them in soul, body, and estate.
"And hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand": And by these judicial dispensations God hath also taken vengeance on them for the blood of his saints shed by them. It is remarkable, that all along this book, idolatry and persecution are made the beast’s provoking sins.
Revelation 19:3 "And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever."
“Smoke rose”: This is because of the fire (compare 17:16, 18; 18:8-9, 18; 14:8-11).
This is saying that this judgment is permanent and is like the language that God used (in Gen. 19:28). This is just a statement telling us it will never be built again.
This destruction of the last, most powerful empire in history marks the end of man's day. The rebellion that had begun in the Garden of Eden is finally ended. Never again will there be more false religions, worldly philosophy, injustice or unrighteousness.
Then entire sorry results of human depravity will finally be vanquished.
Revelation 19:4 "And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia."
These twenty-four elders, I believe, as I said before, are two groups of twelve, twelve disciples and twelve Old Testament prophets. These are representative of the church.
“Four beasts”: The four beasts are the cherubim as described (in Rev. 4:6). These compose the same group as (in 7:11), and are associated with worship frequently (4:8, 11; 5:9-12, 14; 11:16-18).
Revelation 19:5 "And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great."
The speaker isn't identified but is probably an angel and refers to God as our God. His instructions are to praise God.
The redeemed in heaven are called God's "Bond Servants", and this is the group being addressed here to add to the other 3 mentioned groups.
“Both small and great”: All distinctions and ranks are to be transcended. The small and the great mean everyone which includes all human categories and distinctions. All redeemed are told to praise God.
Verses 6-10: “Omnipotent”: God is all-powerful, and “reigneth” over His universe. “The marriage of the Lamb”: The “wife” or bride of Christ is the church (compare Matt. 22:2-14; John 3:29; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:25-32), and the marriage is the eternal union of the church with Christ following the Rapture (compare 1 Thess. 4:17). The “fine linen, clean and white”, represents the “righteousness” of the church, which has now been judged and purified at the judgment seat of Christ (compare 1 Cor. 3:12-15; 2 Cor. 5:10). “The marriage supper of the Lamb” represents the millennial kingdom of Christ, which will take place on earth following the return of Christ (20:4; compare Matt. 25:1-13; Luke 14:15-24).
“Called”: Those who are invited to the marriage supper are Israel, who will turn to Christ in faith during the Tribulation (compare Jer. 31:31-34; Zech. 12:10; 13:9; Rom. 11:25-27). “Worship”: Only God is to be worshiped (compare 22:8-9; Acts 10:25-26). “Spirit of prophecy”: The person and message of Jesus is the essence of all true prophecy.
Revelation 19:6 "And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."
So vast is this group that they are without number. These are the faithful. When this great multitude begin to praise God, the volume would be so great as to sound like "mighty thunderings".
“Lord God”: Used many times in Revelation as a title for God (compare verse 15, 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 21:22). The great praise of the multitude sounds like a massive crashing of waves.
This name used here, pertaining to our Lord, is a very strange one. This is the only place in the Bible where the word "omnipotent" occurs. Omnipotent means almighty: having unlimited power. When you couple that with "Lord", which means supreme in authority, and "God", which means supreme deity; you have an overwhelming understanding of Who this is.
Then we look at "reigneth". This has no time element attached. It means continually reigns.
At this point the evil world system has been destroyed and God's kingdom has come into its fullness.
Revelation 19:7 "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready."
The heavenly praise continues, this time for a call for gladness, rejoicing and giving God glory for a fifth reason, the marriage of the Lamb has come.
“Marriage of the Lamb”: Hebrew weddings consisted of 3 phrases:
(1) Betrothal (often when the couple were children);
(2) Presentation (the festivities, often lasting several days, that preceded the ceremony);
(3) The ceremony (the exchanging of vows).
The church was betrothed to Christ by His sovereign choice in eternity past (Eph. 1:4; Heb. 13:20), and will be presented to Him at the Rapture (John 14:1-3; 1 Thess. 4:13-18). The final supper will signify the end of the ceremony. This symbolic meal will take place at the establishment of the millennial kingdom and last throughout that 1000 year period (compare 21:2). While the term “bride” often refers to the church, and does so here (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:22-24), it ultimately expands to include all the redeemed of all ages, which becomes clear in the remainder of the book.
The marriage of the Lamb: The wife or bride of Christ is the church (Matt. 22:2-14; John 3:29; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:25-32). And the marriage is the eternal union of the church with Christ following the Rapture (see 1 Thess. 4:17). The fine linen, clean and white, represents the righteousness of the church, which has now been judged and purified at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Cor. 3:12-15: 2 Cor. 5:10).
This is in total contrast to the harlot Babylon. Here we see the chaste virgin (faithful to Jesus). At a marriage, there is rejoicing and giving of honor. The strange thing to me, is that Jesus would even have us. We have been washed in His blood, and we have on our white wedding garment ready for the wedding. I believe the word "Lamb" is used here, instead of one of the other names of Jesus, to show that we have been cleansed by His sacrificial blood.
In ancient times, a marriage was the single greatest celebration and social event in the biblical world. Preparations and celebrations were much more elaborate than those of today. And they also lasted much longer.
They were in three distinct stages which first involved the betrothal or engagement. This was an arrangement by both sets of parents, was legally binding and could only be broken by divorce. Then there was a time of preparation as the groom prepared for his bride.
Second was the presentation which was a time of festivities just before the actual ceremony. Those festivities could last up to a week and sometimes even more depending on the economic or social status of the bride and groom.
Lastly was the wedding ceremony during which time the vows were exchanged.
The same imagery of a wedding picture's the Lord's relationship with His Church.
Revelation 19:8 "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."
“Righteousness of saints”: Not Christ’s imputed righteousness granted to believers at salvation, but the practical results of that righteousness in believer’s lives, i.e., the outward manifestation of inward virtue.
The fine linen the bride is clothed in represents the righteous acts of the saints.
Just as I said, these robes have been made white by the blood of the Lamb. This "righteousness" was not ours until we received the Lord Jesus into our lives and took on His righteousness. Our own righteousness had been as filthy rags, but Jesus replaced the filth with His righteousness. Just like, as many other places in the Bible, "her" does not mean just women, it is the bride. All believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are the bride of Christ, whether they are male or female.
I would like to say a few words about this "fine linen". In the tabernacle in the wilderness, the High Priest wore a very ornamented robe with a breastplate of all sorts of jewels when he represented God to the people; but when he went into the Holy of Holies, he wore pure white linen. You see, all of the fineries of the world mean nothing to God. This tells us something about our approach to God. Salvation is simple. It is not complicated, just bare all to God. He knows all there is about us already. We do not have to pretend to be something we are not. He accepts us plain and simple.
Revelation 19:9 "And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."
“They which are called”: This is not the bride (the church), but the guests. The bride doesn’t get invited, she invites. These are those saved before Pentecost, all the faithful believers saved by grace through faith up to the birth of the church (Acts 2:1). Though they are not the bride, they still are glorified and reign with Christ in the millennial kingdom. It is really differing imagery rather than differing reality. The guests also will include tribulation saints and believers alive in earthly bodies in the kingdom. The church is the bride, pure and faithful, never a harlot, like Israel was (see Hosea chapter 2). So, the church is the bride during the presentation feast in heaven, then comes to earth for the celebration of the final meal (during the Millennium). After that event, the new order comes and the marriage is consummated (see notes on 21:1-2).
Those who are invited to the marriage supper are Israel , who will turn to Christ in faith during the Tribulation (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Zech. 12:10; 13:9; and Roman 11:25-27).
The marriage supper of the Lamb represents the millennial kingdom of Christ, which will take place on earth following the return of Christ (20:4; Matt. 25:1-13; Luke 14:15-24). The Jewish marriage consisted of three major elements:
(1) The betrothal;
(2) The presentation; and
(3) The marriage feast (supper), as was discussed just before.
Figuratively, with reference to the church,
(1) The betrothal takes place on earth during the church age;
(2) The presentation will take place in heaven following the Rapture (verse 7); and
(3) The marriage feast will take place on earth following Christ's return with the church.
Revelation 19:10 "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
“Fell at his feet”: Overwhelmed by the grandeur of the vision, John collapsed in worship before the angel (compare 1:17; 22:8).
“Do it not” (compare 22:8-9). The Bible forbids the worship of angels (Col. 2:18-19).
John here was so awed by all of this that he fell at this angel's feet to worship him. Then the angel quickly tells John not to worship him. Only God is to be worshiped (22:8-9; Acts 10:25-26).
“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”: The central theme of both Old Testament prophecy and New Testament preaching is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The "testimony of Jesus" is what the whole Bible is about. Without Jesus, there would be no salvation. The Old Testament points forward to Jesus, beginning in Genesis. The New Testament is the "last will and testament" of Jesus, and to receive our inheritance, we must read the will.
The Lord Jesus knew that. I mean, He inspired it to be written. He uses that same symbolism in several of His parables (see Matthew 22:1-14; 25:1-13; Luke 14:15-24). What John hears in verse 7 is the announcement that the great time of blessing on earth predicted by the prophets throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament is about to be realized. The marriage feast of the Lamb is come.
Maybe it would be helpful for us to review the elements in an oriental wedding of that day, in order to understand this passage better. The first step was a betrothal--the contract, often arranged by the parents before the children came of age, and many times involving the payment of a dowry. It was a legal, binding contract, and was looked upon as tantamount to marriage. The second step, which led to the consummation of the marriage union, occurred when the couple had come of proper age. The bridegroom, accompanied by his friends, would go to the house of his bride, and escort her to his home to take her as his wife. This is the ceremony. It is culminated in the physical act and now they are husband and wife. This was followed by the third element, the marriage feast, either at his own home or the home of his parents, and sometimes lasting as long as a week.
Now let's take these customs, and see how the Scriptural doctrine of the Bride of Christ corresponds perfectly to them. The church of Jesus Christ is espoused to the Lord Jesus as His bride-to-be. The contract has been made and it is binding. Even the carnal Corinthians were included in the marriage contract, according to the statement of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:2, "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ."
Paul was like their spiritual father who negotiated the contract and espoused them to Christ. All believers are espoused to Christ.
The next step is for the Bridegroom to come for His bride-to-be. The Lord Jesus predicted that coming for His bride in John 14:3, "And if I go, and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." That coming is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. We call it the Rapture because we're caught up away from the earth to meet the Lord in the air.
But the central passage concerning the actual presentation of the church to Christ as His bride is found in Ephesians 5:25-33. In verse 27 is the presentation of the church to the Savior, and at that moment of official presentation, the Bride is spotless and without blemish. She has been sanctified and cleansed (Ephesians 5:26). In other words, all impurities have been removed.
Now let me ask you a question. When will all impurities be removed from the bride of Christ? This official ceremony must of necessity take place after the judgment seat of Christ, where the purging fires shall consume all worthless deeds, leaving a perfectly spotless and pure church. So we know that the events of Revelation 19 happen after the judgment seat of Christ.
By the way, some insist that Ephesians 5 does not teach that the church is the bride of Christ. To me such a view is an unbelievable denial of Scripture. After seven verses describing the relationship of husbands and wives, the Apostle says, "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Ephesians 5:32).
Now the ceremony is completed. All that remains is the wedding feast. "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him; for the marriage feast of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7). The coming of the Lord to earth to establish His kingdom is at hand; the marriage feast is about to begin.
In verse 8, we have a beautiful description of the condition of the Lamb's wife at that moment, after the judgment seat of Christ, after the presentation to Christ, immediately before the second coming. "And to her was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousnesses of saints" (Revelation 19:8).
That word righteousnesses actually means "righteous deeds." There is a righteousness we receive by faith in Jesus Christ, imputed righteousness, which fits us for heaven. We can do nothing to earn it. Our good works contribute nothing whatsoever to it. But after we are there, the works we have done during our Christian life are reflected. They not only provide the basis for our rewards, the crowns we lay at Jesus' feet, they provide the materials for our garments. Those things done through the energy of the flesh, for selfish purposes shall be destroyed and forgotten. What lives on in the form of crowns and garments are those things done for the glory of the Lord, and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
But some are probably wondering if that means some will have no garment. I believe the Scripture teaches that every true child of God will have something that survives the fires of the judgment seat of Christ. Jesus said, "Therefore by their fruits you will know them" (Matthew 7:20). If no fruit whatsoever is present, they aren't true believers. James adds, "Faith without works is dead" (James 2:20). Unless faith is attended by at least some Spirit-produced deeds, it is non-existent.
Now turn to one of the central passages on the judgment seat of Christ, 1 Corinthians 3. The fire is described in verses 11-15. Remember, the works are burned, not the person. "If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire" (1 Corinthians 3:15). I think some Christians don't understand that. Purgatory is not taught in the Bible. We are not burned; our works are burned.
But the question is, can every single work of any one man be burned, so that he will have nothing praiseworthy left? Will some have nothing to wear? If you will turn to chapter 4, which is the same context, still dealing with this same judgment when God will make manifest the counsels of the hearts. And there we read, "and then shall every man have praise of God" (1 Corinthians 4:5). Naturally, Paul is speaking of every Christian believer. Not one will be without a garment. Some may be a great deal more elaborate than others. I just don't know--the Bible doesn't say. But every true believer will have a garment of some kind or other. And it will be made of fine linen, clean and white.
But this is the time to take stock, isn't it? Has the thought ever occurred to you before that the garment you will wear when you reign with Christ in His kingdom will be of material of your own making? There are many, many Christians today who would have to admit that they're not ready. If Christ were to come today, and their garment were to be made of the quality of their Christians lives to this point, they would be horribly ashamed. I'm not suggesting that you "rededicate your life" because that's usually just a decision to try harder in the energy of your own flesh and we are not capable of doing anything in ourselves.
I'm really not suggesting that you do anything. I'm suggesting that you, by an act of your will, develop an attitude; it is an attitude of absolute submission to Jesus Christ, complete, unselfish surrender to Him and His will. Ask Him to remove every selfish motive for what you do. Ask Him to take control of your life, and do anything he wants with it--anything! Then thank Him for everything He does. And what He does through you will be the basis for your reward and for your garments in His kingdom. Those works will survive the judgment seat of Christ.
Now, we're back in Revelation 19 at verse 9. The wife of the Lamb will not be the only one at the wedding feast. There will be guests, as well. John is commanded in verse 9 to write, "Blessed are they who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb." Now this is obviously a different group from the wife of the Lamb. A bride doesn't need an invitation to her own wedding reception. She has a place of honor, next to her husband. But there will be other guests there who will receive invitations to attend, who will be called. They are the friends of the bridegroom.
Can we discover whom they will be? If you remember, back in John 3:29, John the Baptist referred to Christ as the Bridegroom. "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled." John was a friend of the Bridegroom. That's a hint. If John the Baptist was a friend of the Bridegroom, then it would seem that believers of past ages will fit into this category.
According to Christ's parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25, saints of the future age will also be among the invited guests. The context of that parable places it in the framework of Israel during the Great Tribulation. It gets so twisted around by some preachers sometimes, but the context is during the Great Tribulation. Believing Jews will enter the marriage feast, unbelieving Jews will not.
The church of this age--the church age--is the bride. Believers from other ages are the guests. Concerning them John writes, "Blessed are they who are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb" (Revelation 19:9). And to reinforce this truth, he adds, "These are the true sayings of God."
John is overwhelmed with all of this, and so in verse 10 he falls at the feet of this one who is speaking to him, evidently an angel as in past visions of this book. But the angel says, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus." Not only redeemed men, but angels as well can be called fellow slaves of Jesus Christ. They too bear testimony to Jesus Christ. But they are not to be worshipped. Worship is directed to God alone, which seems to be the meaning of the next command "Worship God."
Then notice the last statement in verse 10, "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Here is one of the clearest Biblical revelations of the purpose of prophecy. Why are we going through this book of Revelation? It's to magnify and exalt and honor the Lord Jesus Christ. The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
We're not going through this book to satisfy our curiosity about future things. It isn't to give us an edge on unbelievers who don't really know what's going on in the world--where this world is headed and why and what it's all about. It's not just to give us an edge on them. It isn't only to inspire us to yield our wills to Jesus Christ. It is that, but that's not all. And that's not the first reason we study prophecy. Prophecy is primarily to magnify the Lord Jesus Christ, to exalt Him. And if any other reason is foremost in any prophetic teaching, then we ought to hold it suspect.
Before Jesus left this earth He told His disciples of the Holy Spirit whom He would send. "When the Spirit of Truth is come, He'll guide you into all truth." He went on to say, "He will show you things to come." The Spirit of God will teach us about prophetic events. And then He says right after that, "He will testify to Me" (John 16:13b-14a). And any prophetic teaching that doesn't glorify the Lord Jesus is not of God.
Marriage after the Rapture.
Marriage as Man knows it will not exist in heaven.
Matthew 22:30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.
The Elect will be the Bride of Christ.
The reason people in heaven will neither marry nor be given in marriage is that the elect will be the bride of Christ.
Revelation 19:7, 9 [7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride [the Elect] has made herself ready. [9] Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God."
Jesus' courtship and marriage to His Bride to be, the Elect, generally follows first-century Jerusalem's marriage tradition.
The First-Century marriage contract and the "bride price."
When a Jewish boy decided he wanted to get married he would go over to the girl's house with a contract of marriage and the "bride price." That would be the first "date."
Jesus' compliance with the tradition -- the new covenant was the Marriage Contract.
Jesus followed the tradition. He came from His Father's house to where we live, the earth. He brought a contract, or covenant: the New Covenant, i.e., the New Testament. (Contrary to common belief, the word "testament" has nothing to do with "testimony." In King James' time the word "testament" was a synonym for "covenant" or "contract.")
The price Jesus paid for His bride was death on the Cross.
Jesus paid a dear price for his bride: the life of an innocent man on the Cross.
The Proposal -- offering and taking the cup of wine.
In the course of the evening the suitor would pour her a cup of wine; that was the act of proposal. She would accept the proposal by picking up the cup and drinking it, or she could push the wine away and thus reject the proposal.
1 Corinthians 11:25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
The groom's preparation for the wedding.
If she picked up the cup and drank it, the new fiance would respond "I go to prepare a place for you." The man would return to his father's home and begin building a wedding chamber for himself and his bride-to-be.
John 14:2-3 [2] In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. [3] And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
The bride's situation during the engagement.
Now that the woman was betrothed, she was different. She was called consecrated, set apart, bought with a price; she was no longer her own. If she went out during the day, she would wear a veil, to indicate that she was "taken."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 [19] Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; [20] you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
Time of the groom's return.
Under the contract, the fiance could come back and claim his bride anytime, without notice.
Matthew 24:37, 39, 42, 44 [37] As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [39] and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. [42] Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
When the bridal chamber was finished, the young man would go to pick up his bride and they would have the wedding night and begin their new life together. How the groom's father chose the wedding date.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Obviously, if it were up to the young man, he would put something together as fast as possible, to get to the wedding night. Therefore, someone else would decide when the wedding chamber was ready -- the bridegroom's father. Because a new daughter would be joining the family, the father would want to make sure that she had a decent place to live. Hence, only the father would know the time when his son would return for his bride. In many instances, this could be months.
Obviously, from time to time the young man's friends would come around and ask "So, when is the big day?" His reply would be "Only my father knows."
Matthew 24:36 No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Arrival of the groom on the wedding night.
Typically, the bridegroom would come to pick up his new bride at night, usually around midnight. Because no one knew what date this would be, the prospective bride would sit in joyful anticipation by her window night after night, perhaps for months. In many cases she would not see her betrothed at any time between the proposal and the marriage night.
Israel has some very rough terrain, and many areas got very dark and had no paved roads. It became a tradition for the prospective bride to keep a lamp filled with oil by her bedside, to avoid injury when her new husband showed up, "kidnapped" her and took her to their new home. The fact that she had the lamp ready showed she was waiting as she had promised to do when she accepted the proposal.
Finally, the groom's father would announce that the marriage chamber was ready, and he would tell him "Go and get your brothers and your groomsmen and go and get your bride."
That night, the groom and his friends would sneak over to the bride's house around midnight to surprise her. This is documented in the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids, (called the Ten Virgins in many translations.)
Matthew 25:6 At midnight the cry rang out: "Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!"
Announcement of the groom's arrival with a shout.
The custom was that, when the group got relatively close to her house, the groom's friends would give out a shout, to make sure she would be ready.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 King James Version [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Matthew 24:31 And he [the Son of Man] will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
At this point, the bride-to-be would have a few minutes to get her veil on (she was not married yet) and light her lamp.
Matthew 24:33 Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.
The wedding party's trip to the groom's house.
When the groom's party arrived they would rush in; they could also take any girls with lamps, e.g., her sisters, her bridesmaids, etc., making sure, of course, to get the one with the veil. The bride would then be spirited off with her new husband for the wedding night. This is described in the following:
Matthew 25:1, 5-7, .. There were ten girls, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. [5] As the bridegroom was late in coming they all dozed off to sleep. [6] But at midnight a cry was heard: "Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!" [7] With that the girls all got up and trimmed their lamps. How neighbors learned of the marriage.
The neighbors would see a group of people and they would know a wedding was taking place, but they wouldn't know who was getting married. If they waited seven days until the honeymoon was over they would see the bridesmaids, etc., returning and they could find out who got married.
The analogy is that unbelievers see Christians and do not understand why we behave the way we do. When we return with the King in the second stage of Christ's Second Coming it will become clear.
The role of the best man.
On the wedding night the "best man" would wait outside the wedding chamber for a signal from the groom. When the groom told him the marriage had been consumated, the "friend of the bridegroom" would announce the marriage to the guests.
John 3:29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
The Baptist's announcement of Jesus' marriage with the believers.
Asked if he was the Messiah, John the Baptist identified Him and announced His wedding:
John 3:28-29 [28] You yourselves can testify that I said, `I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' [29] The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
QUESTION: The marriage analogy sounded good until now. How can the marriage be "consumated" before the Rapture, before Jesus comes for His bride, the Church?
ANSWER: (a) Romans 4:17 ... God ... calls things that are not as though they were.
Daniel 5:28, New English Bible u-pharsin: and your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.
In Daniel, God speaks about the result as a completed act, even though it has not yet occurred. This is because, for all purposes, once He ordains it, it will happen. In Romans, Paul is not saying that God is a liar or is mistaken. Paul is saying the same as Daniel -- once God decrees something, it will happen; He calls things "as though they were" because from His perspective the actions already are completed.
(b) By definition, an analogy is similar, not identical. In this instance the similarities are far too great to be a coincidence.
The significance of the bridal chamber in the wedding analogy.
In the case of the Messiah, the bridal chamber is the judgment seat of Christ; in the bridal chamber, the groom removes the bride's veil and sees her as she truly is, without cover or pretense. We may make pretenses to the outside world, but the Lord knows us as we truly are.
Revelation 19:7 [7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride [the Elect] has made herself ready.
In the custom, after the marriage was consummated the husband would come out with his new bride and the wedding reception, called the "wedding supper" or the "wedding banquet" in the Bible, would begin. Levitt's presentation is unclear about the time interval preceding the banquet.
It is clear that the Second Coming will occur in stages, but the Bible is unclear about the time interval. The Rapture is the first stage, when the Elect will be taken from the earth. The second stage will occur when the King returns with His saints.
1 Thessalonians 3:13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.
By itself, this verse is somewhat vague and ambiguous. However, considered in the light of the marriage customs, it seems much more clear that Christ will present His bride for the wedding supper.
The Guests at the King's Wedding.
Revelation 19:9 Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God."
In the tradition, the groom's father was the only one who knew the time of the marriage, so he was the one who chose the guests. There would be a week-long celebration by friends and family of the bride and groom. The wedding at Cana in John's gospel was one such celebration.
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