Everyone has heard the kingdom of Heaven will be a place of bliss for those fortunate enough to be there. Eye has not seen, nor ear has heard what wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love him (I Cor 2:9). Because of this, human beings sometimes struggle to appreciate all that Heaven would have in store for them. Because of this, God chooses to describe the experience borrowing elements from everyday life people can relate with. Familiarizing oneself with these earthly analogies does provide some perspective into visualizing what this future experience will be like. While the direct experience of it should far surpass what is projected on paper, a portrait of that heavenly experience does emerge and come into focus as one acquaints themselves with the analogies God gives. A picture is not the same thing as the reality, yet it’s form leaves viewers with an impression one can unmistakably recognize in the medium. God likens the first meeting of Christ and his Church to a wedding in all it’s nuances (Ephes 5:32, Rev 19:7). Meditate on all the aspects of this analogy and a beautiful picture will emerge of what that day will be like for Believers.Weddings always commemorate the love between two individuals
A wedding is a joyous occasion where two lovers come together and announce to the world their commitment and devotion to each other. Marriage is always the desire for two real lovers. It is not the music and décor that makes such an event so special, but the public expression and affirmation of two people’s love for each other that really creates the magic behind the event. Seeing this flood of emotion ripple through a ceremony can be stunning. God is love (I John 4:8). How would one describe the love God has for his people? Seeing the groom’s reaction for his bride speaks volumes of his desire for her. Words are often not necessary because a groom’s face often says it all. Extreme Jubilation, awestruck wonder, big smiles, loving gazes, and tears of joy all visually describe how a bridegroom can feel for his bride on their wedding day. As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so shall our God rejoice over his people on that day (Isa 62:5). This is why the scripture describes our maker as our husband (Isa 54:5). A loving God clearly looks past the outward appearance and into the heart (I Sam 16:7). He searches out the inner depths of everyone’s heart (Prov 20:27). Anyone who truly loves God is known by God (I Cor 8:3). God seeks out those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23). Christ loved the Church and gave himself for her that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word (Ephes 5:25). Christians are betrothed to Christ and will someday be presented as a chaste virgin to Him (II Cor 11:2). As the bride of Christ, we love Him because He first loved us (I John 4:19). When we love, God does abides in us and His love can be perfected within us (I John 4:12). He who does not love God does not really know Him (I John 4:8). By this love we can know whether we belong to Christ or not (I John 4:18). If we love we share his same Spirit. A wise virgin is filled with Christ’s Spirit from the inside. The fiery passion that burns within them is fueled by the Holy Spirit which fills them. Their lamps persist in burning even when all other lights go out (Mt. 25:8-9). A groom seeking real love does not marry a bride with whom he has built no intimate relationship with. Foolish virgins who clearly lack this fire and fail to establish this intimacy cannot expect to be a bride someday (Mt. 25:11-12).No party crashers, bridezillas, or indifferent people allowed at this reception.
The only people invited to celebrate a wedding as guests are family and friends. Often times, families do not see everyone until weddings and funerals; the first event is always preferred to the latter. Family and friends will come out of the woodwork to attend such occasions. Reuniting with family for merriment rather than mourning is always a good thing. In similar fashion, many will come from east and west and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of Heaven. Anyone who has joined themselves by covenant to the Lord will have a place in his house better than that of sons and daughters (Isa 56:3-5). People from all nations will be found on the guest list (Psalm 87:4-6, Rev 7:9). Wedding Receptions are really a gift to them from the couple. For those lucky enough to be invited, common courtesy requires them to both RSVP and attend the wedding ceremony. Anyone who blows off the wedding because they are wrapped up in their own busy schedules shows they place little value in the couple’s friendship. Being a no show wastes the resources of a couple who went to all the trouble and effort to provide them a seat in the first place. Couples do find such poor etiquette offensive and hurtful. How much more would a great king expect his subjects to pay him similar regard for such special occasions? God invites many people to the wedding supper in the kingdom of Heaven but many will make light of it and attend to their own business (Matt 22:5, Luke 14:16-24). Indifferent people who excuse themselves and neglect to attend this event will never get to taste what God would have for them (Luke 14:24). Others will even attempt to outright obstruct people from even getting the invitations out (Mt 22:6). God will deal furiously with such people burning up their cities and killing them in the battle of Armageddon (Mt 22:7). Because the world would have grown dark at this time, a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth, many outsiders will attempt to crash this party- people not really on the guest list. Many will try to enter and not be able to; the wedding supper of the lamb is a private closed door event (Mt 25:10-12, Mt 7:21-23). Those who are not close or who do not know the couple will not be allowed in (Mt 7:21-23). All strangers who do manage to crash the party will promptly be thrown out (Mt 8:11-12, Mt 22:11-14).The Formal wear demanded of guests attending such an occasion
Seeing a bride in her dress is definitely a highlight to any wedding. Seeing how beautiful the bride is on her day can be a real treasure. Everyone in the wedding party dresses up for such a special occasion. It is always nice to see people at their best. The same can be said of the marriage supper of the Lamb. The Glory to be revealed in the bride will not compare with any momentary earthly troubles suffured now (Rom 8:18). Etiquette demands guests wear the appropriate attire for such an occasion. Doing so is a sign of respect. To Ignore such customs will make a person appear foolish and will get them thrown out (Mt 22:11-14). So knowing what would be expected as formal wear for such an event is helpful. Understand God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (I John 1:5). Even the deepest darkness is as light to God. These scriptural sayings are not just symbolic. In the time of the end, the city of Jerusalem will not need the light of the sun or the moon, for the Lord God himself will illuminate it. The Lamb will be it’s light. (Rev 21:23). There will be no night or shadows there (Rev 21:25). When Christ comes, He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the heart (I Cor 4:5). Now the light makes everything visible, everything will be seen for what it is (Ephes 5:13). God makes little of the outward appearance and His focus will be primarily the heart. Being in such a glorious light makes everything transparent. Guests will dress as if they have nothing to hide. For nothing will be kept secret that will not be revealed nor anything hidden that will not be made known and come to light (Luke 8:17). Real and true intimacy requires absolute transparency. Being presentable in such a situation requires a person to simply have nothing to hide. The wicked will prefer the shadows because their deeds are evil and will not wish to be exposed (John 3:19-20). Jesus counsels everyone to buy from Him white clothes that the shame of their nakedness may be not revealed (Rev 3:18). He will clothe them in garments of salvation, with Robes of Righteousness as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments or a bride with Jewels (Isa 62:10). If we are clothed, then we will not be found naked (II Cor 5:3). A white robe will be given to each saint upon entering the eternal state (Rev 6:11). The fine linen, clean and bright, they will be arrayed in quite literally will be their righteous acts (Rev 19:7). The Bride of Christ must ready herself for this event (Rev 19:7). God gives white robes to those who followed the Word of God even when it got hard (Rev 6:9-11). This is why those who hope in Him purify themselves as He is pure (I John 3:3). He who is least in the kingdom of Heaven is said to be greater than the greatest men of the earth (Luke 7:28). When John the Apostle saw how this bride is arrayed and the wonder of this marriage supper, He falls at the feet of the Angel who showed him these things to worship Him (Rev 19:10). Perhaps it is for reasons like this, It is not lawful to utter inexpressible words regarding paradise (II Cor 12:4) like a bride who hides herself from the crowd until the ceremony would commence.
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