“ONE OF THE MOST graphic PICTURES UTILIZED IN THE BIBLE TO DEPICT God's RELATIONSHIPS TO US, IS THAT OF THE ORIENTAL marriage RITES. IN THIS BEAUTIFUL PICTURE, GOD REVEALS HIS PLAN OF THE AGES FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST and HIS BRIDE.”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about this amazing revelation from God …

… There are many truths and teachings found in the Bible that tells us much about God, our world, its past and future, and especially about who we are and where we are going. If one takes the time to read and study these things, a wonderful world of truth and hope will unfold upon you. However as I’ve studied the Bible through the years, the most wonderful truth I’ve discovered is that, all around us including you and me, is the creative product of a grand and glorious Being called God. 

Of course, we can know nothing about Him except what His revelation tells us, and in that revelation, the Bible, God has penned everything we need to know about Him, His work of creation, and the purposes for which He has done all these things. In fact, as one reads the Bible, they will find that all these things depict a most wonderful and beautiful plan and purpose God has prepared, for those who love Him. Yet the Bible also reveals God’s plan has a timetable that is unstoppable and on schedule. That plan my friend, is designed for you and me, “if” we choose to allow God the permission to include us. And today that inclusion revolves around the Christian Church and its fantastic promises God reveals in His Word.

Now, the most important being God has chosen from among all His creation, is mankind, whom He has chosen to become the Bride of Christ for eternity. Let’s explore this amazing concept and truth after another pause for some beautiful music…

  As one reads the final phases of the Bible known as the New Testament, we discover that God the Son, Jesus Christ came to earth to fulfill God’s promise to the very first man and woman created. Yes, because of Adam and Eve’s choice of sin and disobedience to God, both became sinners or outlaws in God’s universe. As such, the Law of God relentlessly sought them out to bring justice upon the rebels and to uphold the righteousness and holiness of God’s in His universe. All this is bound up in what is called sin and its penalty. The Bible declares,

Rom 3:23 (NIV)  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Rom 6:23 (NIV)  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 John 5:12 (NIV)  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Indeed, all mankind stands today in a perilous state of being under God’s judgment for sin, and its penalty of death. This death begins here and now, and shall last forever unless we find a way to be acquitted of our crime of rejecting our holy, perfect Creator God. But, thanks be to God, He himself has instituted a way to call us back to Himself without violating His own laws of justice. This way back and restoration  is called “substitution.” Indeed, God has provided a substitute to pay the penalty of all mankind’s sin, thus sparing us from the eternal state of death coming to all for sin. This substitute is none other than God Himself, the only worthy candidate who could pay for our sins. Yes, God the Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth and fashioned himself as a man. He lived a sinless perfect life and was therefore qualified to be a worthy substitute, to die in our place. Having done that, God has lawfully satisfied the debt of sin, and freed all mankind that has received this pardon.

Now this pardon only comes to sinners, when they come to God confessing their sins, and claiming their substitute, Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Most amazing of all, once they come God in this fashion, He lovingly grants them forgiveness of all sin now and forever; and provides us with a new heart and life to live for God and Christ. Furthermore, God gives us the promise of entering into the most fabulous relationship one can ever dream of – establishing the most intimate relationship with God any creature could have! Yes, all who are saved today in this “Age of Grace, “ also called the “Age of the Church” become God’s very own possession, the BODY & BRIDE OF CHRIST. Now on these last terms I want to explain them to you and show you the glorious pictures and value it brings to those who are saved today.

Since the Bible is full of many illustrations and symbols, they are there to clearly show us heavenly things we could know little about without such help. In particular, God tells us that all who have come to Christ in the twenty centuries since Christ death, burial and resurrection, enter into a most privileged position. Yes, we become the Church of Jesus Christ, the very Body being gathered to spend eternity with Him. Now what is the “Church” in the Bible anyway? First of all, it is not a building, nor a local assembly of religious people. The “Church” in Scripture is the sum total of all the saved people, down through these centuries since Christ died for sinners, who have accepted God’s terms of reconciliation, and become a part of God’s plan and purpose to build and present to God’s Son, a people for His name. This group called the “Church,” or the “Body of Christ,” is being prepared to be His Bride. Hear the Word of God on this matter.

1 Cor 12:27 (NIV)  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Col 1:24 (NIV)  Now I rejoice in… his body, which is the church.

In Scripture, God gives us seven pictures of Christ and His Church, His Body, and among them is the beautiful picture of the Bridegroom (Jesus Christ) and His Bride (the Church).  Christ as the “Bridegroom” is introduced to us in,

John 3:29 (NIV)  The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.

Eph 5:25-32 (NIV)  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless… 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.”

Scripture tells us that at the end of this dispensational “Age of Grace,” at the Rapture of the Church, the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, will come for His Bride to take her to His heavenly home to be with him forever and ever. There, God the Father will present her to His Son Jesus Christ, as a suitable Bride for all eternity. Now let’s look at these pictures of an oriental marriage ritual, particularly the bridegroom and bride.

Now note that marriage customs in the Bible are a bit different from western culture today. As Scripture was written first to the oriental mind and peoples, we must interpret it in such context when biblical illustrations are given. So, to interpret all that surrounds marriage we have to understand what was entailed in the act of a man and a woman coming together. In particular, oriental marriages contained four special events which were a vital part of the ritual.  These are: (1) Betrothal or Engagement, (2) A formal Presentation, (3) The glorious Ceremony, and (4) The Consummation of the marriage itself. In the Bible, God used these illustrations to show us what He is doing and shall do in relationship to those who become His Body, the Bride of Christ. Let’s examine the rituals and apply it with Scripture.

I. THE BETROTHAL OR ENGAGEMENT – This is the beginning where two families usually get together with eligible children whom one day they would like to marry. Both sets of parents worked out a contract for the marriage of their children. This completed arrangement was legally binding and could only be broken by divorce. A perfect illustration is the contract made by the parents of Mary and Joseph who were about to get married. Joseph found his fiancée pregnant. We read of this in,

Mat 1:18-19 (NIV)  This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

However, we know Joseph didn’t cancel the marriage, because God spoke to Him that Mary was not unfaithful, but was selected as a virgin to bear the Christ child. Thus, when parents made this decision for two families to come together, there were years of preparation as the boy prepared for his bride upon reaching adulthood. In addition a dowry was paid to the parents of the future bride, releasing her from them to join the bridegrooms family. In dying on the cross, God the Father gave His Son Jesus Christ who fulfilled this aspect of oriental symbolism of paying the dowry or necessary price to secure His wife. Scripture further uses this imagery to describe the betrothal or long preparations for a future wedding. We read again,

2 Cor 11:2 (NIV)  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.

The church’s betrothal contract was signed in eternity past when the Father promised to the Son, a redeemed people and wrote their names in the Book of Life (Eph. 5:25-27). This betrothal time is where the church is now in history. We are waiting for the glorious day when the Father God shall present us to His glorious and resurrected Son Jesus Christ. Now moving on, the next step in an oriental wedding ritual is,

II. THE FORMAL PRESENTATION -  The earthly bride who waited during the long betrothal period and kept herself pure for her bridegroom, now is ready for the marriage ceremony to begin. This process occurs when the bridegroom formally leaves his father’s house to visit the bride’s home to escort her to his parent’s home. Now his exact arrival time on the promised day is kept secret. Once he announces he is coming, the bride is to be prepared and make herself ready. So she puts on her fabulous wedding dress with all her jewels and adornments to be ready for his arrival. This too, is the picture of the time period the Church exists today. Both the present time, which is the betrothal period and the moment of presentation awaiting the coming of the Bridegroom. We read of this promise for Christ’s Church in,

John 14:2-3 (NIV)  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Now I need to note here that unfortunately in Scripture the marriage ceremony of oriental custom is found in other Scriptures, but we must be careful, not to apply all such pictures to the Bride of Christ, the Church. For instance, the marriage parables in Matt 22:1-4; 25:1-13 (pictures of Israel and her apostasy) do not apply to Christ as the Bridegroom and His Church the Bride. With that said, let’s go back to the symbolism of a wedding in oriental times. The third event to occur is the actual coming of the bridegroom for his bride. Thus, there is the,

III. THE GLORIOUS CEREMONY – In oriental times, once the bride reached the bridegroom’s parent’s home, all the families and friends gathered there to hear their vows, and testimonies, and of course to receive the parent’s blessings on the bride and bridegroom. This period of time in Scripture as pertains to the heavenly Bridegroom, Jesus Christ and His Bride the Church, will occur immediately following the Rapture of the Church. Jesus Christ will come unannounced for His Bride, the church, who is to be ready for His coming again.

1 Th 4:14-18 (NIV)  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.

Yes the Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, escorted with His entourage from heaven, will suddenly appear and snatch away His Bride, the entire Church of Jesus Christ, to be with Him in His Father’s heavenly home. Yes, the glorious ceremony of marriage will begin with what is called the Judgment Seat of Christ.  Here God will examine His bride to see if she has remained faithful, pure, and will behold her beauty and charm she has prepared herself with for His pleasure and joy. Listen to the Word of God on the symbolism of this matter,

Rev 19:7-8 (NIV)  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. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

Here the saints will give testimony as to “how” they lived their lives waiting for this moment, and how they “glorified” God in everything they did. God will at this time award the saints for that which actually brought glory to God. Now as to this word “glory.” This is really the purpose for which the church was born and organized. Although the Church has may other purposes on earth, its great and most grand purpose is to bring God glory in everything she does. The Bible says,

1 Cor 10:31 (NIV)  So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1 Cor 6:19-20 (NIV)  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Yes, God will reward His bride for all things done in the body while on earth that accomplished this. Here at the wedding ceremony in Heaven, testimony will be given for the joy of heaven to hear. Following this glorious ceremony of the vows and examination of her beauty comes,

IV. THE ACTUAL CONSUMMATION – Once the vows and testimonies and examination are done, the wedding feast begins as the families celebrate those who have been joined together by God. In oriental times this feast was filled with invited guests and friends of the families, and could last upwards of two weeks!  Musicians, singers, and feasting meals were served, along with merriment of dancing and fellowship. That night, following their vows, the bride’s parents escorted the bride and bridegroom to their nuptial chambers and left them alone to enjoy each other’s pleasures so long awaited. 

The next day the festivities resumed and continued for as long as possible. Here is the beautiful picture God paints of what will occur following the Rapture of the Church. While in Heaven after the Judgment Seat of Christ event, during the seven years of Tribulation on earth as God prepares the earth for His Son’s earthly home, the consummation of the marriage occurs in Heaven. Now, w don’t know all the particulars but as a human couple enjoys the intimacy of joy that special night, so the church will enjoy the intimacy of fellowship with Christ that will begin in Heaven then and last for eternity. Then, at the end of the Seven Year Tribulation period, Christ will return to the earth with His Bride to take up habitation.

You see friend, the earth is God’s own possession, and especially prepared home for His Bride. Then, at the end of the Tribulation period God will re-make the earth anew, as the only inhabitants on the planet entering the Millennium, will be God’s children.

The Scriptures tells us God will begin the formal wedding feast, the last part of the wedding rituals, with the Bride and Bridegroom along with all of God’s special guests. Who are these guests? They are the Old Testament saints, and the Tribulation saints; and together with the Church they will live in harmony for a thousand years called the Millennium. I believe the wedding feast will as is figurative, literally last for this entire time period.

Actually, God foretold this to the Jews that they would be recipients of God’s promises to Abraham of old, listen,

Isa 25:6-8 (NIV)  On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine—the best of meats and the finest of wines. 7 On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; 8 he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.

Isa 26:19 (NIV)  But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.

Yes, God promised that although the Bride is the Church of Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom will spend eternity with His beloved saints of old, and each family of God’s children will have a special place in the God the Son’s kingdom. In fact, we are told that when eternity is ushered in, all who have trusted in the Messiah, God’s Son Jesus Christ and given themselves to Him in pledge and commitment, they will enjoy the fullness of fellowship and intimacy with God forever and ever. Thus, in a closing verse of the Bible we are told,

Rev 22:5 (NIV)  “…. And they will reign for ever and ever.”

Henry Morris a great theologian writes in his book, The Revelation Record,

Whatever distinctions may exist between the saints of the pre-Abrahamic period, the saints in Israel before Christ, the saints among the Gentiles from Abraham to Christ, the saints of the tribulation, and the saints in the churches from Christ to the rapture (and no doubt these will continue to be identifiable groups even in the ages to come) such distinctions are secondary to the great primary truth that all will be there by virtue of the saving work of Christ and their personal trust in the true Creator God and His provision of salvation.

Yes they all will be there! The question is will you? I know I will, for I’ve confessed before God I am a sinner worthy of the penalty of death, and I’ve chosen to take Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and Lord. I know I’ll be there not because I am good or I have faithfully performed some religious observances or rituals. No, I’ll be there because God has promised me to Himself as I’ve made my vow to be part of His Bride. 

Say friend have you? Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord God and Savior? Have you made your vow to love and cherish Him in sickness or in health, to death do you part? All who do become the betrothed of the ages, and can await that glorious moment when your Bridegroom will come again for you and for me. Now while we wait, God expects us to glorify Him in all we do. We are to preach and teach His Word, we are to gather together in worship and prayer; we are to love others who are lost and need help; we are to be an example of the holiness and purity of our Savior God, while we wait for the promise of His coming. May God give you true vision to see the beauty of the BODY AND BRIDE OF CHRIST, and may He find you ready and adorned with the jewels of a godly life and works for His glory…

…Well friends it’s a beautiful picture the Bible paints for us from the historical traditions of the oriental wedding plans and feasts. But, all the more it shows us God is faithful to fulfill His promises to us who are in a right and committed relationship to His Son Jesus Christ. Have you taken Him as your Lord and Savior? If not do so today before it’s too late. When Christ comes again in glory, all chances will be over to be a part of the glorious Body of Christ. There remains only the reaper angels who will come and cast you out of God’s kingdom and universe to be held for eternity in the eternal penitentiary called the Lake of Fire. May God open your eyes and heart to seek Him.