Freedom is Good News Part 150

Have you ever considered that you are beautiful in God’s eyes?  We have been looking at the 45th Psalm and considering the application of these words to the end time “wedding supper of the Lamb”.  In verse 11 we read these words, “The King is enthralled with your beauty; honor Him for He is your Lord.”  My bible translation did not capitalize the several words in that verse, but if I apply them to our Savior, our King and the one I am betrothed to then I honor Him with capital letters.

He is my King and my Lord and it amazes me to consider that He is enthralled with the beauty of His bride, the Church; of which I am a part.  His love for me is unbounded for He laid down His life for me that I might live. 

Several months ago Sally and I attended a wedding.  I did not perform the service for them but they asked me to give the message on the Sabbath Day before the wedding.  If you have been following along these past 4 weeks, I am sure you realize what topic I was teaching about.  Yes, the wedding supper of the Lamb and the beautiful template our human weddings become as they picture the ultimate wedding of the future.   

“Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory, for the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.”  Revelation 19:6-7  Has there ever been a bride more beautiful than on her wedding day?  “And I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed 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 no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’” Rev. 21:2-4

Yes, weddings are special occasions.  They are prepared for and rehearsed.  It can be quite fun to be a part of one.  But just consider the above quote; the ultimate wedding will be the harbinger for a time like none other – God will dwell with His children.  He will do away with the final enemy – death.  Tears will be wiped away, no more crying, no more pain or suffering. 

And then there is the last line in Psalm 45:11, “Honor the King, for He is your Lord!”  Amen and amen!!!

Freedom is Good News Part 146

I will assume that everyone reading these articles has attended a wedding at some time or the other.  They are joyful occasions.  Indeed they are probably near the top of the list of joyful occurrences for which a man and woman make plans.

What is your favorite part?  The music starts, the crowd stands and the bride walks down the aisle; or how about when the two exchange vows, the pastor asks the question, “do you take this man/woman….”, and the bride and groom answer “I do!”.  Maybe your favorite part is when the two are pronounced “husband and wife”; they kiss and then turn to walk down the aisle for the first time as husband and wife.  And then there is the reception – always a lot of fun filled joy.

Yes, weddings are a special event.  But have you ever stopped to wonder why weddings are such a big deal?  They are planned for months and if the couple is not careful, they may end up costing thousands of dollars.  So what’s the big deal?

The institution of marriage was ordained by God Almighty.  It was He who said, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”  (Gen. 2:24)  I have a friend who would probably answer the above question stating, “It’s a God thing”.  I often find it curious when a couple who are professing atheists make sure that they plan for a wedding and make it a big deal.  They do not believe in God and yet they are portraying; or should I say, “acting out” a very symbolic aspect of the Gospel of the kingdom of God.

In the Old Testament, God intimated through many of the prophets that He had taken Israel for a wife and then chastised the Israelites for not remaining faithful. (See especially Hosea 1 & 2; Ezekiel 16)  This also is an interesting symbolism – it is a “template” placed upon the reality of what God will do with His Son, Jesus,  and the Church.

The Apostle John alludes to this in his gospel when he quotes John the Baptist saying, “You yourselves bear me witness that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’  The one who has the bride is the bridegroom.  The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.  He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John the Baptist understood the reality of the wedding that will take place in the heavenly realm.  In some ways, one might say that this future marriage is the fulfillment of the Gospel, i.e. the Good News.  Let’s consider this future event in a future article.