Our text speaks of that blessed, glorious day when the marriage of Christ and his chosen bride, the church of the living God, which he purchased with his own blood, shall be fully consummated. When Babylon is fallen, when the wicked and unbelieving are destroyed by the power of his wrath, in the end of the world our Lord Jesus Christ will come again in power and great glory.
Throughout the scriptures the relationship of a bridegroom and his bride is used to describe and illustrate the relationship between Christ and his Church (Isa. 50:1; 54:1; 62:5; Jer. 2:32; Hos. 2:1; Matt. 9:15; John 3:29; II Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:32; Rev. 21:9). In fact, the marriage of a man and woman was intended from the beginning to be a picture and type of the glory and beauty of the union between Christ and his Church.
William Hendrikson helps us in our understanding of this majestic text of scripture by describing the marriage customs prevalent among the Jews during the time in which the apostle John lived. In a typical Jewish marriage there were four distinct elements:
First, The Betrothal. It might be compared to our engagements. But it was much more binding. In the betrothal the terms of marriage were publicly accepted and God's Blessings were pronounced upon the union. From the day of the betrothal the man and woman were looked upon as husband and wife. They were legally married.
Second, The Interval. Between the time of the betrothal and the wedding feast there was an interval. Sometimes the interval was long. Sometimes it was short. But during this time the groom paid a dowry to the bride's father for the honor of her hand in marriage (Gen. 34:12). The dowry might be paid in money, cattle, property, or even servitude (Gen. 28:20).
Third, at the close of the interval, The Wedding Procession. The bride would prepare and adorn herself. The groom, arrayed in his finest garments, accompanied by his friends, would go in a grand singing procession to the home of his bride. Once he received his bride, they would return in another grand procession, either to his home or his father's home (Matt. 25:2; John 3:29; Song 3:6-11).
Fourth, at the end of the procession, the marriage was consummated in The Wedding Feast. It was a grand, extravagant feast, provided entirely by the groom and his father (Matt. 22:1). Usually, this marriage supper would be a celebration lasting at least seven days, and sometimes more. At the wedding feast, the bride and groom were publicly and permanently united.
In our text, the betrothal is over, the interval is over, even the wedding procession is over, and the wedding feast has begun. This was the cause for great joy in heaven. "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!"
Proposition:There is a day appointed when the Lord Jesus Christ will gather his bride out of the world and bring her into his Father's house for a glorious, eternal wedding feast.
Divisions:Everything in heaven has been anticipating this great event for thousands of years. When it finally comes, the angel calls for all the heavenly hosts to rejoice and honor the Lamb, our Savior and our God.
1. The Lamb is the Lord Jesus Christ our sin-atoning Redeemer and Substitute.
2. The Bride is the whole church of Christ, redeemed, justified, regenerate men and women out of every nation, people, kindred and tongue in the world, all God's elect of every age.
Though the marriage has not yet been brought to this glorious consummation, our union with the Son of God is a matter of legal record in heaven. Christ is our lawful husband and we are his lawful, betrothed wife.
1. Our Lord pledged his troth to us in old eternity in the everlasting covenant of grace (Hosea 2:16-3:3).
2. Having betrothed himself to us in eternity, our dear Husband paid a dowry for his bride, the Church, and the dowry was his own life's blood, paid to satisfy our debt to the justice of God.
Faith in Christ is nothing less than the willful, deliberate consecration of our hearts to him – (Rom. 7:4).
Our Savior has gone to prepare a place for us in the Father's house. It was expedient for us that he go away. But as soon as the appointed time of separation is over, Christ Jesus will come again to receive us unto himself (John 14:1-3; 16:7).
During this interval Christ's chosen bride must make herself ready. But how do fallen, sinful men and women make themselves ready for marriage to the Son of God?
C. At The End Of Time, Christ Our Bridegroom, Accompanied By The Angels Of Glory, Will Come To Receive His Bride, The Church (Matt. 25:31-34).
It is a feast that lasts not for a week or two, but throughout all eternity! This feast is the climax of God's everlasting purpose of grace. An Everlasting Honeymoon! It shall be a holy, blessed, everlasting, perfect union of Christ and his elect bride. In this great wedding feast all the promises of the gospel shall be fully realized.
II. The Beauty Of The Bride (v. 8).Before the marriage supper takes place, the bride must be prepared. This is no ordinary bride. Her attire is no ordinary garment. Her beauty is no ordinary beauty. She is not naturally beautiful. But God's sovereign grace has made her beautiful.
NOTE: The great whore was annoyed in the gaudy tapestry of the world. But the Church, the Bride of Christ is arrayed in the garments of purity, righteousness and light, the garments of salvation.
A. Her Wedding Garments Of Fine Linen, Clean and White Is The Righteousness Of The Saints.
Most of the commentaries say that these things represent the good works and personal righteousness of God's people in this world. But that cannot be! The saints of God do walk in righteousness and perform good works. But these things have nothing to do with our acceptance with God. Our righteousnesses cannot be compared to fine linen, clean and white. They are but filthy rags (Isa. 66:4).
B. This Fine Linen, Clean and White, Is That Which God Has Given By His Sovereign Grace, The Righteousness Of Christ Himself – (Isa. 61:10; Ezek. 16:6-14).
Many are bidden to the marriage in the preaching of the gospel. But there is no blessedness in that. In fact, to be bidden and refuse to come brings greater condemnation (Luke 14:15-24). But blessed are those who are compelled by irresistible grace, called by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the marriage supper of the Lamb! Blessed are those whom God calls –
Filled with ecstasy and wonder, John fell down to worship the one who showed him these wonderful things. Perhaps he mistook this glorified being for his glorified Lord. We are not told. But he is sharply rebuked.
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