sf960 - Christ And His Bride (Revelation 19 6-9)
Introduction
Revelation 19:6-9 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! And he said to me, These are the true sayings of God.
Weddings and marriages play an important role in Scripture.
From the first marriage performed by God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3) to the final wedding feast in Revelation 19, we see weddings and marriages playing a key role.
Jesus chose a wedding as the backdrop for His first miracle and He often used the wedding practices of His day to teach about His kingdom.
So it is fitting that we look to the Scriptures, especially those dealing with Christ and His bride for instructions on marriage and life.
Christ Choosing His Bride (Genesis 24)
We see the act of Christ choosing portrayed in Abraham’s choice of a bride for Isaac.
The choice of the Father (24:1-4)
The Father is concerned that the right wife be chosen, one of His choosing from among His people.
The work of the servant
The servant was to seek out the chosen bride. (24:3-4; 15-17)
John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him…
The servant was to secure the chosen bride. (24:34-36, 58)
Christ Cherishing His Bride (Ephesians 5)
He leads His bride (5:22-24)
Ephesians 5:22-24 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
He loves His bride (5:25-27)
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Christ Celebrating with His Bride (Revelation 19)
It is a time of great joy!
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.
It is a time of great blessing
Revelation 19:9 Then he said to me, Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God.
Application
So today we speak of two weddings.
The wedding that is about to take place between Mike and Lisa; a wedding that will initiate their life together on this earth.
A second, greater wedding, between Christ and His church; this wedding is waiting until the bride is ready, complete.
Are you part of the bride?
If not would you now, today, this moment call upon the Bridegroom and ask Him to include you in that number?
Ask Him to grant you a repentant and believing heart.