HE’S COMING
Revelation 19:7
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and the bride has made herself ready.”
Those who understand the signs that Scripture recognizes as predictive mileposts (see Where Are We? devotion), realize that prophesy has nearly been totally fulfilled!
More than 300 Biblical Old Testament prophesies (PROF-e-sees means predictions) say that Jesus Christ is coming. Most are fulfilled in the God/person Jesus Christ. The New Testament forecasts Jesus’ coming again 318 times.1 If Bible prophesy is important to you—where we are in today’s prophetic mileposts—consider the wedding metaphor (MET-a-for is a word that stands for something else). We’re waiting for Jesus—otherwise known as the Lamb, and the head of His church in Ephesians 5:23—to come as Savior of His bride, (believers who are making herself ready).
Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of marriage as Jesus’ second coming in 2 Corinthians 11:2: “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to Him.” This image was powerful in his time, because people understood that Jewish marriages happen in three parts. The first is the contract, or engagement. Jesus wrote this contract in His blood when He died on the cross BEFORE WE BELIEVED IN HIM.
The second part concludes when we say “Yes” to the marriage proposal—belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. That instant, we are reborn as new people. His indwelling Holy Spirit seals believers as “belonging to Jesus.” His sanctifying work (SANK-ti-FY-ing means set apart, make holy) continues throughout a believer’s lifetime.
The third part is the wedding celebration itself—what believers and Jesus are longing for. Jesus will come to gather His Church (believers as His Bride), and take us home. (See the Rapture devotion). Jesus, the “He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”” (Revelation 22:20).
Many kids learn about weddings as they grow up watching family members. Older brothers and sisters fall in love, and get married—as younger siblings, and family members witness their vows. The engaged couple eagerly awaits that ceremony, making detailed plans so that their day is perfect. They long to be married, just as Jesus is eager to be your groom!
Take Home Nugget
Boys, just because Jesus is a male doesn’t make this groom metaphor weird. The groom is really Jesus, as head of the church. What’s weird is that His indwelling Holy Spirit is sanctifying you, and that makes you holy and you're now called a saint!
Look long into the eyes of our Savior, and mirrored there is you—His bride! Clothed in pure grace—watch and wait—for He’s coming for you.
J.D. Griffith
1 David Jeremiah, Turning Points Magazine and Devotional. San Diego, CA, 3/2012, 30.
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