The Bible teaches that just as the Lord Jesus Christ came over 2,000 years ago, He is coming again. This relationship and the journey are compared to that of a Bride, a Bridegroom and the arrival of the bridegroom to take his bride with him. However, after Jesus the bridegroom comes, we will all (believers) appear at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Here Christ will evaluate the works done by His bride, the church. Then to follow will be the Marriage Supper of the Lamb where Jesus will present to Himself the Bride (the Church) as stated in Ephesians 5:27. W. W. Wiersbe said, “in the Rapture, Jesus will catch us up, in the Judgement Seat, Jesus will clean us up, and at the Marriage Supper, Jesus will cheer us up.”
The presentation of the bride is quite interesting as outlined in Revelation 19: 7-8. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ in the presence of His Father will present the Bride to Himself. Ephesians 5:27 states “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.”
In the 1st Century, and for centuries to follow, there were usually 3 steps to follow from the time of betrothal of a young couple until the final marriage union.
1. The parents of the bride and the bridegroom negotiated a marriage contract, usually when the couple was very young. They were legally married, although there was no physical contact for years. This espousal was not like the engagement period today; it was much more binding.
2. The bridegroom, when the time comes, leaves his place, accompanied by some friends, goes to the bride’s home to take her to his home. Sometimes, they would ring bells or make a loud noise announcing his arrival.
3. The bridal procession would be followed by the marriage feast, which would last for many days, depending on the wealth of the father of the bridegroom.
SPIRITUAL APPLICATION:
1. When we are saved, we became espoused to Christ. As a pledge (guarantee or earnest), He gave us the Holy Spirit. The “earnest” (guarantee) of the Spirit signifies Christ’s seriousness about buying us. Ephesians 1:13-14: “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
2. In the Rapture of the church, our Bridegroom comes to take us, The Bride. No bells, but the voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of God which will only be heard by the bride.
3. This is Followed by the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
The victorious bride of Christ will keep herself holy to be raptured into glory.
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