THE BRIDE OF CHRIST 4: THE BRIDEGROOM RETURNS!

ANCIENT JEWISH WEDDINGS

In ancient Jewish times, the father of the groom would determine when his son would return for his bride. This was usually decided when the father saw that the bridal chamber the groom was preparing was ready for his future daughter-in-law. Once the approval was given the groom set off to claim his bride and bring her back to their future home together.

The groom’s return was always a surprise to the bride, who had to keep herself in a constant state of readiness. You see, the groom's return was not based on whether she was prepared or not! Although she had a general idea of how long he would be gone, she was never sure of the exact day and time of his return. 

The groom, along with his friends and attendants, would usually travel at night to increase the element of surprise. When they got close enough to the bride's home someone from the group would shout aloud, "Behold! The bridegroom comes!" A shofar (ram's horn used like a trumpet) would then be sounded, and they would all proceed to the bride's home, expecting to see her ready to be whisked away to her new home with her beloved!

The groom would take his bride into the marriage chamber he had prepared, and the marriage would finally be consummated. They would be one flesh, and live together from then on.

A wedding feast would then follow, with music, dance, food and much celebration!

JESUS WILL RETURN

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 tells us clearly that Jesus, our Bridegroom, will do the same…

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.

In the parable of the ten virgins, (Matthew 25:1-13) Jesus illustrated how we, the Bride of Christ, must be ready at all times for His imminent return.

All 10 women were to be part of the wedding. They all started off with oil in their lamps. However, only 5 of them had enough oil to last till the groom made his appearance again. The other 5 – called the foolish virgins – had run out of oil by the time of his return! As a result they were shut out of the wedding!

Oil represents the active presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  He teaches us all the things that Jesus wants us to remember. We must be sensitive to His promptings as He guides us in our relationship with the Lord.

As a believer, you and I are either like the wise virgins or like the foolish ones. This is determined by whether we live our lives on a day to day basis in a state of alertness, preparation and eager anticipation of Jesus’ return.

At a time that is only known to our heavenly Father, Jesus will return for His bride. It will be sudden, and He will come like a thief in the night. It is only those who are prepared that will go back with Him....those who have maintained an intimate relationship with Him while they waited.

John was given a glimpse of the wedding of weddings to happen in heaven…

And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!  Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”  And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 

• Is the Holy Spirit active in your daily life? 
• Do you keep your “love flame” for your Lord lit? 
• Is it flickering and about to go out?? 
• If Jesus were to return today would you be ready?