Marriage Customs and the LAMB of GOD

[WISDOM]

In the Bible, marriage holds a very prominent and sacred place. In the lands of the Near East, even to the present time, the marriage ceremony is one of the chief events in family and community life. Marriage is referred to in the Bible in such passages as Psalm 19:5; Isaiah 49:18; 61:10; 62:5; Jeremiah 2:32; Matthew 9:15; and Revelation 21:2, 9.

Above all else, serious Bible students should remember that the human marriage relationship is used to symbolize the relationship between our LORD JESUS CHRIST and HIS blood-redeemed people, the Church (HIS Spiritual Body on Earth....Ephesians 5:21-33). In the Old Testament, Israel, GOD's ancient people, was pictured as the wife of JEHOVAH (Hosea 2:14-20); and in the New Testament the Church is called the Bride of JESUS CHRIST (John 3:29.....Revelation 19:7-9).

In modern life there are many variations in the details of the marriage ceremony, and this was also true in Bible times. Then, as now, customs depended to a great extent on the station in life of the parties being married. Because of this, it is difficult to give a precise, overall description of the marriage ceremony in Bible times and say, "This is the way it was." But I can point out some general facts based on a study of the Bible and the customs observed then in Bible lands to the present time.

The formal BETROTHAL usually took place quite a long time BEFORE the marriage....sometimes several years before. The family of the bridegroom-elect (as Christians think about CHRIST in this role) arrranged the betrothal with the parents of the young woman he desired in marriage, and a certain DOWRY was settled on. Among Jewish people this betrothal CANNOT even be broken WITHOUT a paper of divorce from a rabbi.

The actual marriage ceremony involved SEVERAL DAYS of festivity and customary rites. The BRIDAL PROCESSION to the HOME of the GROOM for the CONSUMMATION of the nuptials was always a gala event, even among the poorer people. While the exact pattern followed in Bible lands at the present time differs among Christians, Jews, and Muslims, this was the general procedure. The BRIDE had a trousseau and a variety of household goods. Some of these may have been purchased with the dowry money, and some may have been given as wedding gifts. The gifts were usually borne before her by those making up the procession.

The procession, which usually wound through the streets at night, moved slowly and was preceded by musicians and dancers and sometimes by those performing wild feats of horsemanship. The bride herself may have arrived either riding an animal, being carried in a sedan chair, or perhaps on foot, but in any case she was invariably covered by a colorful canopy. She was usually dressed rather gaily but with her hair flowing loosely. Her coiffure was cared for by some of her maidens-in-waiting after she reached the home of her groom. This procession was made up of both men and women, some from among her own circle of friends and some from her parents' families. When the bride arrived at the home of her husband-to-be, the women of his household and the INVITED GUESTS met her with songs and censers of burning incense and conducted her into the BEST ROOM in the house, which was beautifully decorated as the BRIDAL CHAMBER.

The groom himself was ABSENT when the bridal party arrived. He purposely stayed away and spent the time at the home of one of his relatives, where he also ate his supper. He and the party that made up his procession then dressed themselves properly for the occasion and had a good time together before proceeding to his own home where his bride had already been received. After all the expected members of his party were courteously welcomed and their congratulations had been received, they proceeded in the bridegroom's procession to the awaiting bride at the house of the bridegroom. This procession was usually made between eleven o' clock and midnight. Flaming torches were held aloft by special bearers and the procession swept slowly along to the groom's house, where the bride's attendants were waiting to meet them.

Great crowds often assembled on the balconies, on the garden walls, and on the flat roofs of the houses on each side of the road to watch the impressive spectacle. The bridegroom was the center of special interest, and whispering voices were often heard saying, "Look! There he (HE) is!" As they traveled along, women raised their voices in a special Shrill Cry which expressed JOY at marriages and at other times of family and public rejoicing. As the procession approached the bridegroom's own house, the pace was quickened and the cry was raised with louder voices: "He (HE) is COMING, he (HE) is COMING!!"

Just prior to his arrival, the bride's maidens-in-waiting came out a short distance with lamps and candles to meet the procession and to light up the entrance as the groom's party approached the house. Once the BRIDE and the GROOM were TOGETHER in HIS home, they were seated together under a brilliantly decorated canopy, and although there were no special marriage vows, in our occidental sense of the term, the nuptials were culminated in a festival of great pomp. This was given by the FATHER of the GROOM rather than by the father of the BRIDE. This FEAST usually lasted from THREE to SEVEN DAYS, the festivities on the LAST DAY being the MOST ELABORATE and ELEGANT!

While in the Navy I had the privilege of traveling to different foreign lands. There are times when opportunities are presented to you in order to be able to expound on moments like this. Residents of Bible lands have remarked that in some weddings, when the bridegroom's party entered his house to celebrate the marriage, the DOORS were promptly CLOSED and NO OTHERS were allowed to enter thereafter! Also, in some instances the GROOM's household provided SPECIAL WEDDING GARMENTS for all guests, and these had to be worn!

Such customs, of course, throw MUCH LIGHT on the parables of the Bible, such as that which tells of a KING who gave a MARRIAGE CELEBRATION for HIS SON (Matthew 22:1-14), and the parable of the TEN VIRGINS (Matthew 25:1-13). It is my prayer that the HOLY SPIRIT will open the eyes of all of you who read this, and fill you with joy and excitement. There are many of you who may have just given your life to CHRIST as your LORD/SAVIOUR.....and I don't expect you to fully understand what you've just read. And there are some of you who haven't quite yet matured spirtually to the point of clearly understanding what you have just read. But what I want to say to you and all the others reading this is THIS: As a child of the Most High Living GOD, we (born again Believers) have a VERY, BRIGHT Future to spend in Eternity with our BRIDEGROOM....JESUS CHRIST in Heaven. I don't know about YOU, but I get chills all over my body filled with excitement knowing that here in this life is NOT the end for me or YOU. Here and now my brothers/sisters, we are just in the "Pretext" of the BOOK. We have got a lot of life yet to live AFTER this life!! Regardless whatever is going on in and around YOUR life, I'm here to tell YOU that there is ALWAYS HOPE! Trust our FATHER. Depend on JESUS. We're NOT that far from the ALTAR! **WISDOM Pumps Fist in Air**

[WatchingForJesus]

Wisdom,

Thank you so much - You have blessed me with this post... I used the "ten virgins" parable in one my posts today over in controversial issues.

Thanks for laying it all out like this!

God bless you brother!

YBIC,

Bradley

**Pumps own fist in the air too**

[WISDOM]

Thank you too Bradley, but my biggest thanks goes to our FATHER WHO privileged me to present this layout in the hope that it will help other Christians draw upon the analogy.

**Proverbs 23:12....17:22

[Guest Bro David™]

Wow nice groud work, just thought I would bump this thread for the rest of the new members like me to see it.

[jc49]

In the Bible, marriage holds a very prominent and sacred place.  In the lands of the Near East, even to the present time, the marriage ceremony is one of the chief  events in family and community life.  Marriage is referred to in the Bible in such passages as Psalm 19:5; Isaiah 49:18; 61:10; 62:5; Jeremiah 2:32; Matthew 9:15; and Revelation 21:2, 9.

Above all else, serious Bible students should remember that the human marriage relationship is used to symbolize the relationship between our LORD JESUS CHRIST and HIS blood-redeemed people, the Church (HIS Spiritual Body on Earth....Ephesians 5:21-33).  In the Old Testament, Israel, GOD's ancient people, was pictured as the wife of JEHOVAH (Hosea 2:14-20); and in the New Testament the Church is called the Bride of JESUS CHRIST (John 3:29.....Revelation 19:7-9).

In modern life there are many variations in the details of the marriage ceremony, and this was also true in Bible times.  Then, as now, customs depended to a great extent on the station in life of the parties being married.  Because of this, it is difficult  to give a precise, overall description of the marriage ceremony in Bible times and say, "This is the way it was."  But I can point out some general facts based on a study of the Bible and the customs observed then in Bible lands to the present time.

The formal BETROTHAL usually took place quite a long time BEFORE the marriage....sometimes several years before.  The family of the bridegroom-elect (as Christians think about CHRIST in this role) arrranged the betrothal with the parents of the young woman he desired in marriage, and a certain DOWRY was settled on.  Among Jewish people this betrothal CANNOT even be broken WITHOUT a paper of divorce from a rabbi.

The actual marriage ceremony involved SEVERAL DAYS of festivity and customary rites.  The BRIDAL PROCESSION to the HOME of the GROOM for the CONSUMMATION of the nuptials was always a gala event, even among the poorer people.  While the exact pattern followed in Bible lands at the present time differs among Christians, Jews, and Muslims, this was the general procedure.  The BRIDE had a trousseau and a variety of household goods.  Some of these may have been purchased with the dowry money, and some may have been given as wedding gifts.  The gifts were usually borne before her by those making up the procession.

The procession, which usually wound through the streets at night, moved slowly and was preceded by musicians and dancers and sometimes by those performing wild feats of horsemanship.  The bride herself may have arrived either riding an animal, being carried in a sedan chair, or perhaps on foot, but in any case she was invariably covered by a colorful canopy.  She was usually dressed rather gaily but with her hair flowing loosely.  Her coiffure was cared for by some of her maidens-in-waiting after she reached the home of her groom.  This procession was made up of both men and women, some from among her own circle of friends and some from her parents' families.  When the bride arrived at the home of her husband-to-be, the women of his household and the INVITED GUESTS met her with songs and censers of burning incense and conducted her into the BEST ROOM in the house, which was beautifully decorated as the BRIDAL CHAMBER.

The groom himself was ABSENT when the bridal party arrived.  He purposely stayed away and spent the time at the home of one of his relatives, where he also ate his supper.  He and the party that made up his procession then dressed themselves properly for the occasion and had a good time together before proceeding to his own home where his bride had already been received.  After all the expected members of his party were courteously welcomed and their congratulations had been received, they proceeded in the bridegroom's procession to the awaiting bride at the house of the bridegroom.  This procession was usually made between eleven o' clock and midnight.  Flaming torches were held aloft by special bearers and the procession swept slowly along to the groom's house, where the bride's attendants were waiting to meet them.

Great crowds often assembled on the balconies, on the garden walls, and on the flat roofs of the houses on each side of the road to watch the impressive spectacle.  The bridegroom was the center of special interest, and whispering voices were often heard saying, "Look!  There he (HE) is!"  As they traveled along, women raised their voices in a special Shrill Cry which expressed JOY at marriages and at other times of family and public rejoicing.  As the procession approached the bridegroom's own house, the pace was quickened and the cry was raised with louder voices:  "He (HE) is COMING, he (HE) is COMING!!"

Just prior to his arrival, the bride's maidens-in-waiting came out a short distance with lamps and candles to meet the procession and to light up the entrance as the groom's party approached the house.  Once the BRIDE and the GROOM were TOGETHER in HIS home, they were seated together under a brilliantly decorated canopy, and although there were no special marriage vows, in our occidental sense of the term, the nuptials were culminated in a festival of great pomp.  This was given by the FATHER of the GROOM rather than by the father of the BRIDE.  This FEAST usually lasted from THREE to SEVEN DAYS, the festivities on the LAST DAY being the MOST ELABORATE and ELEGANT!

While in the Navy I had the privilege of traveling to different foreign lands.  There are  times when opportunities are presented to you in order to be able to expound on moments like this.  Residents of Bible lands have remarked that in some weddings, when the bridegroom's party entered his house to celebrate the marriage, the DOORS were promptly CLOSED and NO OTHERS were allowed to enter thereafter!  Also, in some instances the GROOM's household provided SPECIAL WEDDING GARMENTS for all guests, and these had to be worn!

Such customs, of course, throw MUCH LIGHT on the parables of the Bible, such as that which tells of a KING who gave a MARRIAGE CELEBRATION for HIS SON (Matthew 22:1-14), and the parable of the TEN VIRGINS (Matthew 25:1-13).  It is my prayer that the HOLY SPIRIT will open the eyes of all of you who read this, and fill you with joy and excitement.  There are many of you who may have just given your life to CHRIST as your LORD/SAVIOUR.....and I don't expect you to fully understand what you've just read.  And there are some of you who haven't quite yet matured spirtually to the point of clearly understanding what you have just read.  But what I want to say to you and all the others reading this is THIS:  As a child of the Most High Living GOD, we (born again Believers) have a VERY, BRIGHT Future to spend in Eternity with our BRIDEGROOM....JESUS CHRIST in Heaven.  I don't know about YOU, but I get chills all over my body filled with excitement knowing that here in this life is NOT the end for me or YOU.  Here and now my brothers/sisters, we are just in the  "Pretext" of the BOOK.  We have got a lot of life yet to live AFTER this life!!  Regardless whatever is going on in and around YOUR life, I'm here to tell YOU that there is ALWAYS HOPE!  Trust our FATHER.  Depend on JESUS.  We're NOT that far from the ALTAR!       **WISDOM Pumps Fist in Air**

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Weddings of Ancient Israel - A Picture of the Messiah

(an article from Return to God Magazine, Volume 1 Number 2, page 22)

What does Scripture mean when it refers to the church as a bride and Jesus as a bridegroom? Is this just flowery language? Is it merely indicating God's love for His people? Understanding ancient Jewish wedding practices makes the meaning of Scripture clear. The wedding is a picture of the covenant Jesus made and reveals His plans to return for His bride, the church. The people of ancient Israel understood what Jesus was going to do because they understood the model of the wedding. The analogy between a wedding and Christ and the Church is described in Ephesians 5:31-32 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a profound mystery -- but I am talking about Christ and the church." The following overviews the practices of an ancient Jewish betrothal and wedding. In parallel, it shows how Jesus has fulfilled the betrothal portion of the wedding and how He may fulfill the remainder when He comes again for His bride, the church.

ANCIENT WEDDING PRACTICE: MARRIAGE COVENANT AND BRIDE PRICE

When a young man desired to marry a young woman in ancient Israel, he would prepare a contract or covenant to present to the young woman and her father at the young woman's home. The contract showed his willingness to provide for the young woman and described the terms under which he would propose marriage. The most important part of the contract was the bride price, the price that the young man was willing to pay to marry the young woman. This payment was to be made to the young woman's father in exchange for his permission to marry. The bride price was generally quite high. Sons were considered to be more valuable than daughters since they were physically more able to share in the work of farming and other heavy labor. The bride price compensated the young woman's family for the cost to raise a daughter and also indicated the love that the young man had for the young woman -- the young woman was very valuable to the young man! The young man would go to the young woman's house with the contract and present his offer to the young woman and her father.

JESUS' FULFILLMENT: MARRIAGE COVENANT AND BRIDE PRICE

Jesus came to the home of His bride (earth) to present His marriage contract. The marriage contract provided by Jesus is the new covenant, which provides for the forgiveness of sins of God's people. Jesus paid the bride price with His life. At the last supper, when breaking bread, He spoke of the price He was paying: "...This is my body given for you..." --Luke 22:20. Hebrews 8:15 makes it clear that Jesus died as the price for the new covenant: "...Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance -- now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant." Other Scripture references include 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Acts 20:28 and John 3:29. The marriage contract, the new covenant, is described throughout Scripture: "...This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time," declares the LORD. "I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people... they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest," declares the LORD. "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." -- Jeremiah 31:31-34.

ANCIENT WEDDING PRACTICE: THE CUP

If the bride price was agreeable to the young woman's father, the young man would pour a glass of wine for the young woman. If the young woman drank the wine, it would indicate her acceptance of the proposal. At this point, the young man and young woman would be betrothed. Betrothal was legally binding, just like a marriage. The only difference was that the marriage was not yet consummated. A typical betrothal period was 1-2 years. During this time the bride and bridegroom each would be preparing for the marriage and wouldn't see each other. .

JESUS' FULFILLMENT: THE CUP

Just as the bridegroom would pour a cup of wine for the bride to drink to seal the marriage contract, so Jesus poured wine for His disciples. His words described the significance of the cup in representing the bride price for the marriage contract: Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." -- Matt. 26:28-29 The disciples drank of the cup, thus accepting the contract.

JESUS' FULFILLMENT: GIFTS FOR THE BRIDE

Next, the bridegroom would present the bride with special gifts. The purpose of these gifts was to show the bridegroom's appreciation of the bride. They were also intended to help her to remember him during the long betrothal period. The gifts that Jesus gave us are the gifts of the Holy Spirit: "We know that we live in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit" -- 1 John 4:13. Jesus described this gift in John 14:26: "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

ANCIENT WEDDING PRACTICE: MIKVEH

The bride would next partake of a Mikveh, or cleansing bath. Mikveh is the same word used for baptism. To this day in conservative Judaism a bride cannot marry without a Mikveh.

JESUS' FULFILLMENT: MIKVEH

The Mikveh, or baptism that Jesus provided for His bride was baptism in the Holy Spirit. On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." -- Acts 1:4.

ANCIENT WEDDING PRACTICE: PREPARING A PLACE

During the betrothal period, the bridegroom would prepare a wedding chamber for the honeymoon. This chamber was typically built in the bridegroom's father's house. The wedding chamber had to be a beautiful place to bring the bride. The bride and groom were to spend seven days there. The wedding chamber had to be built to the groom's father's specifications. The young man could go for his bride only when his father approved. If the bridegroom was asked when the wedding was to be, he might well say "it is not for me to know, only my father knows".

JESUS' FULFILLMENT: PREPARING A PLACE

Just as a bridegroom would have told his bride that he would go to prepare a place for her, so Jesus told His disciples: "...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. 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." -- John 13:1-3. In ancient Israel the bridegroom could get his bride only after his father approved. Similarly, Jesus said: "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert ! You do not know when that time will come" -- Mark 13:32-33

ANCIENT WEDDING PRACTICE: A WAITING BRIDE CONSECRATED

While the bridegroom was preparing the wedding chamber, the bride was considered to be consecrated, set apart or "bought with a price". If she went out, she would wear a veil so others would know she was betrothed. During this time she prepared herself for the marriage. She likely had saved money all her life for this time. She would purchase expensive cosmetics and learn to apply them to make herself more beautiful for the bridegroom. She wouldn't know when her groom would come for her, so she always had to be ready. Since bridegrooms typically came for their brides in the middle of the night, to "steal them away", the bride would have to have her lamp and her belongings ready at all times. Her sisters or bridesmaids would also be waiting, keeping their lamps trimmed in anticipation of the late night festivities.

JESUS' FULFILLMENT: A WAITING BRIDE CONSECRATED

We, God's people, are now consecrated, or set apart, waiting for the return of our bridegroom. We should be spending this time preparing ourselves for Jesus' return. Jesus used a parable of ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom to describe the need to be alert for His return. "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom...The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.' Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."

ANCIENT WEDDING PRACTICE: BRIDEGROOM COMES FOR HIS BRIDE

When the bridegroom's father deemed the wedding chamber ready, the father would tell the bridegroom that all was ready and to get His bride. The bridegroom would abduct his bride secretly, like a thief at night and take her to the wedding chamber. As the bridegroom approached the bride's home, he would shout and blow the shofar (ram's horn trumpet) so that she had some warning to gather her belongings to take into the wedding chamber. The bridegroom and his friends would come into the bride's house and get the bride and her bridesmaids.

JESUS' FULFILLMENT: BRIDEGROOM COMES FOR HIS BRIDE

Just as the bridegroom would come for the bride in the middle of the night, with a shout and the sound of a shofar, so the Lord will come for us. "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. 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. Therefore encourage each other with these words. Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night." -- 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17.

ANCIENT WEDDING PRACTICE: SEVEN DAYS IN WEDDING CHAMBER

The bridegroom would take his bride to the wedding chamber where they would spend seven days. The bridegroom's friend would wait outside the door of the wedding chamber. When the marriage was consummated, the bridegroom would tell his friend through the door, and the friend would announce it to the assembled guests. The guests would celebrate for seven days until the bride and bridegroom emerged from the wedding chamber.

JESUS' FULFILLMENT: SEVEN DAYS IN WEDDING CHAMBER

Ancient Jewish eschatology taught that a seven year "time of trouble" would come upon the earth before the coming of the Messiah. During that time of trouble, the righteous would be resurrected and would enter the wedding chamber where they would be protected from the time of trouble. Today that seven year period is referred to as the tribulation.

ANCIENT WEDDING PRACTICE: MARRIAGE SUPPER

After seven days in the wedding chamber, the bride and bridegroom would emerge and participate in a feast with friends and family. There would be joyous celebrating during this feast. The feast would conclude the wedding celebration.

JESUS' FULFILLMENT: MARRIAGE SUPPER

As the bride and bridegroom celebrated with a joyous wedding supper, so Jesus and His bride, the church will celebrate the marriage. "Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: Hallelujah! For our Lord God 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. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me, Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" -- Revelation 19:6-9.

ANCIENT WEDDING PRACTICE: DEPART FOR HOME

After the marriage supper, the bride and bridegroom would leave the groom's father's house where the groom had built the wedding chamber. They would go to their own home, which the bridegroom had prepared.

JESUS' FULFILLMENT: DEPART FOR HOME

Just as the bride and bridegroom left the marriage supper to go to the home that the bridegroom had prepared, so Jesus and His bride will depart for their new home. "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 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, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes'... One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, 'Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.' And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God." -- Revelation 21:1-4. From the pattern of the ancient wedding practices, we see that, like the bridegroom of ancient times, Jesus came to the home of His bride for the betrothal, made a covenant with His bride and sealed it with a glass of wine, paid the bride price with His life and sent His bride gifts of the Holy Spirit. We, the betrothed (the Church) currently await the return of our Bridegroom to take us to the wedding chamber (the rapture) to spend seven years (while the tribulation occurs on Earth). We will then celebrate the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and depart with our Bridegroom for our new home, the new Jerusalem.

Great Stuff!!Praise HIM,

MARANATHA!!!

[nebula]

Great to hear from you again, WISDOM!

Thanks for this post!