07/12/2021
Have we received our invitation to the wedding supper of Jesus Christ to His bride? Each day we are given an opportunity to know the bride and groom better so that we will be invited, but have we taken full advantage of our time, and come to know them intimately? Or, are we simply hoping to be guests at the wedding? I pray that we have given our hearts to Jesus and been adopted into the family of God… thus being seated with the family.
“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.””
Revelation 19:9 ESV
Have we prepared ourselves, and by so doing adorned the bride to attend her wedding? Are we excited at the prospect of this marriage of Jesus to His betrothed, the Church? For this occasion we are meant to dress in our finest clothes in honor of this day of days. Are our hearts full as the bride enters the sanctuary, and are our mouths filled with joyous song at the wedding supper?
“it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.”
Revelation 19:8 ESV
On this Holy day, one of great celebration, all believers, and Saints are excited by the spectacle, and are ready to joyfully celebrate the marriage of our Savior. As believers we are more than guests, but family, and members of the wedding party. We each have helped to dress the bride, and to make this day possible by our faith. Our voices will be joined by all of Heaven to proclaim this union complete as first they stand beneath the chuppah, wedding canopy, of God’s Will, and then retreat thereafter to consummate the wedding in the privacy of the Yihud, or the seclusion room… praying the Word of God.
“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;”
Revelation 19:6-7 ESV
So as we pray, and worship God today are we aware of our actions and how they are not only preparing us to attend the wedding of Jesus, but that we are dressing the Church to become His bride? We are not meant to be solitary in Christ, but joined together as Church… becoming an indispensable part of this union. We are not simply guests or friends, but heirs and joint heirs with Jesus… family as the children of God… brothers and sisters within the body of the Church… destined to become one flesh with Christ before God.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for inviting us to the wedding of your Son Jesus Christ as He takes the Church to be His bride. Thank you for allowing us to be an intricate part of this day when we, the family of the bride, joins with your Holy Family to become one… one family… one in spirit and one flesh. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who has given your Son in marriage to the Church, and made us one. We praise you as we sing in celebration, and join in spirit to be in your presence forevermore. Your grace is without limit, and your mercy abounds. Wash us clean in the blood of Christ, and receive us as we are presented a token of virginity, a bride, faithful to Christ alone. In this way Lord, find us worthy and acceptable in your judgement, and seat us at your table for all eternity.
Rich Forbes