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The Marriage To Come

"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."
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.
Then he said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those
who are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb!'"
Rev 19:7-9

The Book of Revelation speaks of the great Marriage Supper of the Lamb in which the Bride will be joined with Christ. This event happens when Christ comes after His Bride and takes her to His Father's house where she will be joined with Him forevermore. Maranatha!

We will understand the nature of the Marriage Supper more fully when we have a better understanding of the Jewish marriage customs upon which it is modeled. Through understanding the Jewish wedding and the Feast of Tabernacles, we would be able to gather some truths concerning this event.

The first ten days of Tishrei (the two days of Rosh Hashana, the seven days following, and Yom Kippur ) are a holy period in which we rectify our shortcomings and draw closer to God. They are therefore known as the "Ten days of Awe." These 10 days are devoted to self examination and repentance from one's sin in preparation for judgment on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. These Days of Awe are a type of a "day of trouble" (Jer. 30:7) that is to come before the Second Coming of the Messiah. This day of trouble is also known as the birthpangs of the Messiah. Today Christians called this time of trouble as the Tribulation. I believe these seven years are the week (seven days) before the Marriage Supper. Yom Kippur is the day Jesus will atone and redeem His Bride fully. This is the day Jesus will physically return to earth! The Bible clearly states Jesus will return immediately after the Great Tribulation.

"But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory." Mark 13:24-26

But during the day of trouble, the Lord will protect His bride:

For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:5

By looking into a Jewish wedding, we can more clearly see the picture of the union of the Bride with the Messiah.

When a man in Israel marries, he goes to the bride's house with a bride price and make a covenant with the girl's father. If the father accepts the man and his bride price, the man will pour a glass of wine. If the girl drinks it, it will indicate that she accepts the man's proposal and they are betrothed. The man would go away and prepare a wedding chamber for his bride. When the man's father deems that the wedding chamber is ready, usually one to two years later, the man would return to the bride's house and "steal" her away "like a thief in the night" at an hour when no one would suspect. He would take her to the wedding chamber for seven days. During this time, the groom's father would hold a party to announce the marriage. At the end of the seventh day, the married couple would emerge from the chamber and partake of the marriage supper.

The Jewish wedding is a picture of Jesus the Bridegroom and His Bride. The Bridegroom is Jesus Christ our Lord. The Bride is both Israel and the Church in one union with Christ.

Hebraic Marriage

Spiritual Insights

References

The Approval
  • The bridegroom's father makes and approves the choice of the bride.
  • God our Heavenly Father makes and approves the choice.

John 10:29
The Promise
  • Made a covenant or contract promise.
  • Drink the cup of wine to seal the covenant.
  • The bridegroom pays a price to show he is serious.
  • The bridegroom’s vocal promise to his bride that he would come to claim her soon.
  • God made a New Covenant with Israel to replace one He made with Abraham.
  • The covenant was sealed at the last supper when Jesus drank the cup of the New Covenant.
  • Jesus paid the price for us on the Cross.
  • Jesus promises to come and take His Bride, both Israel & the Church, to be with Him.

Jeremiah 31:31, Matthew 26:27-29; 1 Corinthians 6:20; John 14:1-4

The Preparation
  • The bridegroom prepares a home for the bride.
  • He works on it until it pleases his father. Then he may go after his bride.
  • Jesus is preparing a beautiful Home for His Bride.
  • Jesus tells us that He does not know when He will come; only His Father knows.

John 14:1-4; Mark 13:32-33

The Waiting
  • While the bridegroom builds the new home, the bride waits.
  • She prepares for her wedding by making blankets, etc.
  • She also shows gratitude to her family for raising her and she mends hurt relationships.
  • No matter what, she had to be ready because he would come at night.
  • Wait on the Lord and He will strengthen our hearts.
  • Occupy till He comes.
  • Giving thanks always.
  • Be faithful to our families, friends, churches, ministries and colleagues.
  • Jesus will come like a thief in the night.
  • We must be ready at all times. In season and out of season - sharing His Word and His love.

Psalm 27:14; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Luke 19:13; 1 Corinthians 13:1; Luke 12:40

The Bridesmaids
  • Unmarried friends who attend to the bride, grooming and beautifying her.
  • They also provide light for the bridegroom who comes at night.
The Daughters of Jerusalem
  • We prepare the Bride in our ministry to each other and Israel. We groom her.
  • We must be burning for Jesus with His Holy Fire till He returns, never running empty and dry.

Matthew 25:1-13

The Friends of Bridegroom
  • Unmarried friends who attend to the bridegroom, preparing the way for him.
  • They would run ahead of the bridegroom and shout that he was coming.
The Forerunners
  • John the Baptist was the Best Man – The Friend of the Bridegroom for His First Coming.
  • There will be many Friends of the Bridegroom preparing the way for His Second Coming.

John 3:29; Isaiah 40:3
The Bridegroom Comes
  • While the father's head was turned, the bridegroom would steal the bride.
  • The wedding party then went to the bride's house to meet the guests.
  • The archangel will blow the trumpet of God, and Jesus will come like a thief to snatch away His Bride.
  • The saints will be waiting for His arrival.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

The Wedding Day
  • The bride and bridegroom enter the bridal chamber for a private Yom Kippur where the marriage is consummated.
  • The party waits outside until the bridegroom tells the best man that it is consummated.
  • Then, the guests rejoice for 7 days.
  • Yom Kippur is the day Jesus will atone and redeem His Bride fully.
  • This is the day Jesus will physically return to earth after the Great Tribulation.
  • There will be great rejoicing in the Feast of Tabernacles (7 days) as God dwells (tabernacles) with man again!

John 3:29; Revelation 19:7-8; Mark 13:24-26
Married Life Begins
  • New couple goes to the father's home to begin married life.
  • The Bride will reign with Christ in His kingdom on earth for 1,000 years.

Revelation 20:6

The marriage and love relationship between two people is a deepening knowledge and understanding of one another.

So is our love relationship and marriage with our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

Please also read:
The Marriage Was
The Marriage Is

Source:
Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary
http://www.returntogod.com/feasts/fall.htm
http://www.ldolphin.org/wedding.html
(From the book I am My Beloved's by Robert Probert)