Weddings are generally a happy and joyous time for both the wedding party and the guests. The public enjoys watching some of the big, spectacular weddings of the day. Perhaps some of you watched the wedding of Prince William to Kate Middleton in April of 2011, and most of us have been to at least one wedding of a friend, family member, or acquaintance. One thing in common with most weddings is the beauty of the wedding gown. Every bride wants to look special on her wedding day, and to find something wrong with the dress would be a disaster. In our Scripture reading today from the Book of Revelation we read about the most notable wedding in all history, and what the bride is wearing.
The Apostle John continues describing the visions he has been granted of end-time events. As our passage begins, John hears a large crowd break forth in praise to God (vs. 1). These declarations of God’s glory usher in His return to earth at the end of the Tribulation period, and the final events recorded in the Book of Revelation. Everyone in heaven is present, singing praises to the Lord, both small and great. In heaven there is no class or status distinction that separates groups as we have here on earth, including when we meet to worship (vs. 5). We frequently separate our churches by nationality, ethnic, or racial groups, and even among those groups, people further separate by wealth or status. However, in heaven there will be no such separations. John saw here that the small and great were together in worship. In God’s sight they are both equal.
As we continue reading our Scripture passage, we see that praise is being given to God for the marriage of the Lamb. The Lamb, of course, is the Lamb of God, who is Jesus Christ, the Son of God (John 1:29). Jesus is called the Lamb of God because, just as lambs were used as sacrificial animals in the Old Testament, Jesus Himself was sacrificed on the cross to take away the sin of the world.
Who could possibly be the Bride for Jesus, the Lamb, the Son of God? Could there be anyone worthy of such an honor? The Bride of Christ is the Church, which we see is referenced in several of St. Paul’s Epistles (II Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-27). The Church, of course, is composed of every true believer, those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. In Matthew 25:1-13, Jesus compares the coming of His Kingdom to a wedding for which we must be prepared.
How is the Bride of Christ dressed? As we read in verse 8, she is dressed in fine linen, clean and bright. The dress is most likely white, as that would show how clean and bright it is. As Paul said in Ephesians 5:27, the Church, the Bride, is glorious, holy, without blemish, spot or wrinkle. Just as a bride today takes meticulous care that her gown is spotless, so too is the Church. It could not present itself to Jesus having spots and stains of sin. But how could that be?
As we look at the Church down through the years, we are bound to find many faults. Some of these faults are serious and grievous, such as sanctioning the killing and abuse of many people over the ages. Sometimes various factions of the Church have strayed away from sound doctrine. Over the years the Church and its leaders have had a lust for money and riches. We also see squabbles and fighting among its members, whether over serious or petty issues. So how could we see the Church as a Bride dressed in spotless linen being presented to Jesus in verse 8?
John records that the garments the Bride is wearing is the righteous acts of the saints. Prior to this moment, all believers have gone before the Judgment Seat of Christ (II Corinthians 5:10) where we are judged and purified. When we were saved we cast off all of our own “righteousness” which is filled with sin, and put on the righteousness of Jesus, which is sinless. On our own we have no true righteousness. When we are saved, God imputes the righteousness of Jesus to our account. Thus we are able to be holy, and without spot or wrinkle.
As John concludes in verse 9, how blessed are all those who will be at the marriage supper of the Lamb! I hope to see you there!
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