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I remember getting ready for my own wedding with my heart and stomach doing the flutter dance before the ceremony began. Would everything go smoothly? How would I feel when I walked down that aisle with my father? I need not have been concerned because when I walked through the doors into the church sanctuary and looked into the eyes of my groom all other thoughts vanished. He was the love of my life, and we were going to have a life together. But there was someone else present as we said those vows that has kept us together all these years. Jesus Christ. He is not only our Savior and Lord, but He is also the Royal Bridegroom that waits for us.
A day will come, says the Scripture, when we will be presented before Him. The picture of the bride in all her radiance is described in Ephesians 5:25-27: "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing that she might be holy and without blemish." Oh, what a beautiful picture, and one that Vera Wang nor any other designer could ever duplicate. Christ not only saves us, but He cleans us up removing the stains of sin that desecrate our souls. He takes our "Cinderella rags" and exchanges them for robes of righteousness that we can be presented to Him as a perfect bride. What humbling words from the Bible. It doesn't end there, though.
A feast is being prepared in heaven that we cannot even imagine. As outstanding as the royal reception in England might be, it will not hold a candle to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Revelations 19:6-8 describes the occasion: "Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,
'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure' - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.' And he said to me, 'These are the true words of God.'" This tremendous banquet is being prepared for those who believe. Jesus, Himself, said: "I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" (Matthew 26:29). This is where we shall be united with our Lord and Savior forever, but when we see Him, what will His appearance be like?
Revelation describes our Bridegroom in terms that dazzle. Prince William is handsome and will look smart in his uniform, but nothing can compare with our Lord. Chapter 19:11-16 describe in detail how He will be arrayed. He will wear not a crown of thorns but many diadems. He rides on a white horse instead of a donkey. His robe will be dipped in blood and He is called "The Word of God." Following Him are the armies of heaven also riding on white horses rather than the angry mobs crying for His crucifixion. His eyes are like flames of fire and out of His mouth comes a sharp sword from which to strike down the nations. Verse 16 says: "On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords." What a picture...a far cry from the scene we saw at Calvary. Here, then, is our King, our Bridegroom, our Savior.
Our weddings here on earth are just a shadow...a foretaste of what lies ahead for us as believers. We need to embrace this and meditate on it for God has promised this inheritance to those who believe in His Son. What a day it will be, and for all eternity, we will enjoy the presence of our Lord and King. No other celebrations will be able to compare to the Royal Wedding that awaits us in Christ! Selah!
How do you picture the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? How are you preparing yourself as the Bride?
Photo courtesy of www.allansgraphics.com
5 comments:
I trust God fully and completely in preparing me for that day. I could never do it without Him!
Isn't it exciting to know that He is preparing us His bride? I love that since I know I cannot do anything to make myself acceptable before Him. It will be a glorious celebration and make all other earthly celebrations look empty by comparison! Thanks for sharing Petra!
Oh, come Lord Jesus, come!
Beautiful illustration Barbara!
Yes, our weddings here are just a shadow of what is to come! May He keep us and present on that day holy and blameless!
Thank you for this encouraging post! It is a reminder to keep our minds on things above! He shall return for us!
That is what so exciting isn't it Christina? Our bridegroom will come for us...our future is hopeful, bright and filled with His presence. This is a thought that is such a blessing...and yes, we do have to keep thinking about things above and avoid getting caught up in our circumstances here below. Blessings to you my friend...thank you for your visit.
There was SO much buzz about the wedding, wasn't there? I thought I was the only one of my friends who was interested in it the first time I blogged about it, until I found out how many of them had stayed up all night to watch it too! Anyway, I liked how you tied the royal wedding into a reminder of how Christ is the bridegroom of the church.
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