Lesson 57
Revelation - Study of Things to Come
The
Return of Christ - Chapter 19
2.
Marriage feast 19:7-10
This is an important event at which you and I will
participate.
All believers from the day of Pentecost until the
Rapture make up this "bride of Christ." All who are "in Christ."
1. The Marriage Announced 19:7-8
2. The Marriage Supper (its participants) 19:9-10
- 2 separate events that must not be confused or
merged.
- the
first, marriage takes place in heaven; the supper/feast takes place on the
earth,
1. The Announcement 19:7-8
- Time characterized by
great rejoicing and joy!
* Who is the
bridegroom??
* Who is the Bride?
The
Church as the BRIDE:
1. Scripture: 2 Cor.
11:2; Rev 21:9; Eph
5:23-32 (main);
2. This relationship is one of the Mystery
doctrines; Eph
- Speaks of one of the
special relationships that believers in the C/A have to Christ that is
absolutely unique.
3.
The first implication: Infinite love of the bridegroom for the bride.
a. As the God/Man His love is perfect that is
complete and infinite.
b. His love necessitated an overt act which
demonstrated that love.
c. Such love is best
illustrated and portrayed by Divine Institution of marriage.
d. His love is amazing in
the light of:
1) The infinite distance
between the lover and the beloved Eph 2:4,5 "dead”
2) The inherent
sinfulness of the beloved - Eph 2:1-3. (status of all before salvation.)
3) The lack of the
beloved's ability to benefit the lover in any way
- 1 Jn 4:10,19.
e. Such love demands a
love response as seen in the prayer of Paul in Eph 3:16-19. (learning -
growing - application)
f. It is related to
obedience: If you love Me, keep My commandments; Jn
g. Such love is also
commanded to be directed towards other believers: Jn 15:12,17; 1 Thes
4:9; 1 Pet 1:22; 1 Jn 3:11,23; 4:7,11. (only possible when empowered by the Holy
Spirit)
h. Greater love then His
is impossible - Jn
4.
Second implication: The exalted position of the bride.
a. Background is
the three stages of an oriental marriage (Edershiem)
1) The betrothal: legally
binding covenant is made;
add - 1a) The preparation
period; getting things in order part of what is involved in rev 19:7b "has
made herself ready"
2) The coming of the
Bridegroom to claim the bride;
3) Wedding supper or
feast. usually lasted 7-14 days.
b. Christ purchased the
church with His own "blood", dowry,
therefore the Church is espoused to Him - Acts 20:28; 2 Cor
11:2.
c. Duration of the
espousal period, no given length, is parallel to the history of the Church age.
d. The bride groom then
came from the father's house usually at night wearing his good clothes and
accompanied by friends and took her to his house for the wedding. Jn 14:3.
e. The presentation of
the bride to the Father's house - heaven - is fulfilled at the rapture. 1 Thess 4:15-18.
f. In Eph 5:27 Paul
describes the glorified bride as being without spot or wrinkle (no sin nature)
and no overt defects (human good) anything
obnoxious to the plan of God but conformed to His glorified humanity. also 1 Jn 3:2
g. The glory of the groom
shines thru the Church for all generations for ever and ever. Eph 3:20-21.
h. The Church is made
ready for the wedding at the JSC. 2 Cor
i. The wedding ceremony
takes place in heaven but the wedding feast takes place on the earth. Rev 19:9; Mt 22:1-14; Lk
14:16-24; Mt 25:1-13.
j. The bride metaphor
exalts the Church-age Saints to the highest imaginable position.
Marriage of the Lamb - Christ & church
Why is the relationship of believers and Christ
expressed as a marriage?
What then is the meaning
conveyed by the Lamb marrying the church?
#1 The
point of commitment is the betrothal;
* So important was the
betrothal that if it was broken off, it necessitated a formal divorce.
#2 Preparation for the wedding; period between the commitment and the
consummation!
Sequence:
#1 for the church as a body; corporate
?? How well has the whole body of the church been
doing as to prep.
#2 Individually from the
time we believe in Christ until the wedding.
This is a time of growing and maturing to fill your
niche in the POG and to prepare for the wedding.
Do not want there to be an
blot on the brides dress.
#3 Presentation;
Bride and groom brought together;
Rapture of the church
#4 Celebration; wedding
feast with guests.