Tag: bride
Behold The Bride–Wife of the Lamb!
Scripture reading for December 29: Revelation 21
“Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.” Revelation 21:9-11
“And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it, and its gates will never be shut by day–and there will be no night there. They will bring into it the glory and the honor of the nations. But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:22-27
God lifted the curtain on His completed world view for the beloved apostle, John. One of the seven angels who had poured out the wrath of God on the earth invited John to behold the Bride of the Lamb. John was taken to a high mountain and saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven. This glorious city sparkled like a rare jewel and was illuminated with the glory of God and the lamp of the Lamb. All nations were represented as believers from every tongue and tribe filled the city in the dwelling places provided by the Lamb.
The angel emphasized that nothing unclean would ever be allowed in this city, only those who had been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb would have their names inscribed on the register of the New Jerusalem, the Lamb’s Book of Life. Those who refused Christ’s offer of mercy must instead be cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:12-15) There they would suffer eternal fire and separation from the Lamb.
How does this vision of the reward of those who have believed on Jesus Christ help you to continue in faith? Is it comforting to know that members of every tribe and nation will be part of the Bride? Do you understand the justice of God in punishing those who refused His Son?
Prayer: Father God, You are just and true to Your Word and deserve our eternal worship and humble service. I ask for mercy for all my children, grandchildren, and relatives yet to be born. May they hear the Gospel and their names be written in the Book of Life. Amen.
The prostitute? Or the Bride?
Scripture reading for December 28: Revelation 17-19
Would you rather be part of the prostitute or part of the bridal company? The analogy in these next chapters is between the promiscuous prostitute or the purity of a long term covenant relationship of love, respect and intimacy. The prostitute ends in woe, smoke, and eternal torment. The Bride enjoys a great wedding banquet and eternal honeymoon, living happily ever after!
John next visited with one of the seven angels who poured out the judgments. This angel showed him the punishment of the great prostitute who sat on the many waters. This prostitute had committed adultery with the kings of the earth and the earth’s inhabitants were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries. (Revelation 17:1-2) John saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast, dressed like a prostitute with a golden cup in her hand. This cup was filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY– BABYLON THE GREAT–THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.” (Revelation 17:5) This prostitute was drunk with the blood of the saints, those who bore the testimony of Jesus! (Revelation 12:11)
Right before the judgment of this prostitute, angels announce the fall and warn God’s people to come out of her! (Jeremiah 51:6, 45) (Revelation 18:4) The ruin of this prostitute comes quickly–in one hour! The kings, merchants, sea captains and sailors all mourn her destruction. A final angel pronounces the judgment with the hurling of a large boulder into the sea mirroring the words of Jeremiah 51:62-64. (Revelation 18:21)
All heaven erupts with shouting! “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are His judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (Revelation 19:1-2) Three more “Hallelujah’s” resound through heaven, the final one announcing the wedding of the Lamb!
John listened as the angel spoke to him again. “Then the angel said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” and he added, “These are the true Words of God.”” (Revelation 19:9) “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice He judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. . . .He treads the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” (Revelation 19:11-12, 15b
Speechless before the King
Scripture reading for July 28th: Matthew 22
Key Scriptures: Matthew 22:8-14 “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to his attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.'”
Are you clothed in ‘wedding garments’ and ready to attend the King’s wedding feast? Jesus told this parable to speak to the chief priests and Pharisees who were seeking a way to arrest Him and kill Him. He told this parable to challenge each person to examine their own lives and walk with God and relationship with His Son. Many professed to be part of the ‘chosen’ people who would be in the wedding feast of the kingdom. But profession must also be true possession of salvation and the righteousness that comes by true faith in Jesus Christ. All other ‘garments’ will be examined and rejected by the king as illegitimate. When questioned about how the man without the garment got in, he had no answer. The king’s instructions were quick and final: “Bind him hand and foot and cast him out into the outer darkness.” Weeping and gnashing of teeth is the lot of those without excuse. The invitation was sent to everyone and all had opportunity but only a few were humble enough to repent and believe and receive the King’s pure white wedding garment!
Matthew 22:2-3 “”The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come.””
Faith confession and prayer: Father God, thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ. I am trusting in Him alone for my wedding garment and I have accepted with humble thanks the invitation to come and humbly seek to wear the garment of His righteousness in readiness for the King’s announcement. Let none You invited be speechless when You appear!
Psalm 45:13-15 “All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold. In many-colored robes she is led to the king, with her virgin companions following behind her. With joy and gladness they are led along as they enter the palace of the king.”
The Invitation: “Come!”
Scripture reading for December 31st: Malachi 1-4 and Revelation 22
Key Scriptures: Revelation 22:17-20 “The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come Lord Jesus!”
Jesus Christ ends the Revelation given to John with three “I am coming soon!” declarations. The Holy Spirit and the Bride(Christ’s Church) all are calling out to all men to “Come!” The message is simple. It must not be added to or taken away from! Old and New Testaments agree!
Malachi 4:1-3 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear My Name, the Sun of Righteousness shall rise with healing in His wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts.”
Prayer: Lord, I long for Your coming. Thank You that it will be soon! Help me to offer the invitation to all You send me to. Amen.
Eternal Joy with God!
Scripture reading for December 27th: Zechariah 7-10, Revelation 21
Key Scriptures: Revelation 21:2-4 “And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be nor more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
As John continued to look and write, he saw a beautiful city, descending from heaven. This city looked like a bride adorned for her husband. A loud announcement from heaven stated that God would dwell with His people bringing eternal joy, comfort and peace. This would be the ultimate fulfillment of God’s desire and prophetic word to live with His people eternally!
Zechariah 8:7-8 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: Behold, I will save My people from the east country and from the west country, and I will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be My people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank You for the vision of the prophetic Word made sure by Your own faithfulness and righteousness! I await the joy of being in Your presence for ever! Amen!