A Wedding and A Feast, #5

by Connie Chamberlain

 

Ruling and Reigning

Once seven days have elapsed, it is time for the wedding feast to begin.  In Jewish tradition, the bride and groom wear crowns on the wedding day to designate them as king and queen for a day, and there is much rejoicing.

 

There is much rejoicing also in celebration of our heavenly union, both on the part of the groom as well as the bride.  Little is revealed in scripture as to what that celebration will look like – perhaps music and dancing will accompany a sumptuous feast.  “The Lord of Hosts will make for all people a feast of choice pieces, a feast of wines on the lees.”  (Is. 25:6)

 

We may not know what will be on the menu, but one thing we do know is that extreme joy will be the hallmark of the festivities when Christ presents His glorified bride. “And as the Bridegroom rejoices over the Bride, so shall your God rejoice over you.” (Is. 62:5)

 

The bride also will say, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”  (Is. 61:10)

 

“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.  The he said to me, “Write:  Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!”  (Rev. 19:7-9)

 

After the seven days (years) are completed, we will return with Jesus to rule and reign with Him on the earth during the Millennial reign.  If He is called King of kings, just who are the kings that He is King of?  That would be those ruling with Him – us!  The revelation in the book of Revelation is such an important one for His Bride and Body to grasp and to walk in.  Jesus, who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, has made us kings and priests.  (Rev. 1:5-6)  He has bestowed on us His kingly authority and anointing to use now.  We are told in Romans 5:17 that those who receive the gift of righteousness will reign in life, the preparation for reigning in eternity!  As with Esther, the scepter is extended to His people and we are to do business in His Name.

 

The Wedding at Cana

When we consider that everything that God does is not with haphazard chance, but with well-intentioned purpose, is it any wonder that Jesus’ first miracle takes place at a wedding?  (John 2)  This event at the beginning of his ministry is pointing to another wedding at the end of the age.  “On the third day” speaks to us of the time of this gathering in the third thousand years.  We are living in that day and He has saved the best wine, symbolic of the best anointing, for the last times. What will the Lord draw out of our vessel? 

 

Summary (The Nutshell)

  1. The Arrangement – The Holy Spirit, our Helper, leads us to the bridegroom.
  2. Consent of the bride – We say “I do” in response to His love, choosing to be chosen.
  3. Bride price – Christ purchased us with his very life.
  4. Written covenant – We exercise our right to possess all that He has provided for us as stated in His Word..
  5. The cup of wine – The covenant is sealed by the communion we share by partaking of His blood sacrifice.
  6. Gifts given to the bride – The gift of the Holy Spirit has given to us everything necessary for life and godliness.
  7. The Mikveh – We are washed and cleansed by His living water.
  8. The Bridegroom’s preparation – He returns to His Father’s house to prepare a place for us.
  9. The Bride’s preparation – We embrace the process of sanctification, to have garments woven with purity and righteousness, while remaining ready, alert, and watchful for His return.
  10. The Bridegroom comes for the Bride – We are caught up and transported to the heavenly home he has prepared.
  11. The Bridal Chamber – An eternal union between our Lord and us takes place under His covering.
  12. Royalty – We take our place with Him to rule with the King.

 

Concluding Thoughts

There is a great future imminently awaiting us, where we will dwell and abide with our Lord for eternity in complete union with Him.  May our spiritual vision remain clear and unhindered to perceive these truths, with a burning desire for God to unfold even greater revelation of His coming kingdom to our spirit. 

 

“It has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who has this hope purifies himself.”  (1John 3:2-3)

 

Many who have longed in this temporal life for a “marriage made in heaven” will find it in its purest, truest form when our Maker becomes our husband (Is. 54:5) and we are once and for all joined in holy matrimony.  Though the marriage covenant offers a close comparison, I imagine this event will play out like nothing we have ever experienced.  Words seem inadequate to convey just what a day that will be!

 

And the Spirit and the Bride say come!

 

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