1278. News + The Wedding Ceremony

The ceremony begins once the doors to the banquet hall of the father’s house are closed and locked. Outside, the joy has ceased. Inside, the invited guests are celebrating (for seven days and nights) in the white robes just given to them by the groom’s father. People are praying over the couple & giving gifts. Then the groom takes a little pouch of salt from the bride’s family and from his family, pours both into a plate and stirs them together.

Likewise, after the Rapture, we, as Christ’s bride, are about to be wed in our Heavenly Father’s house. Outside, there is wailing and gnashing of teeth-the eternal fate of those who refused the Father’s gracious offer to become part of His family and live with Him forever. The mixing of the salt pictures the lives of both families-Christ’s and ours, now as one-the ultimate fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer in John 17 that we would be one with Him and His Father.

Th groom breaks a piece of bread into two bite-sized pieces, dips them in the salt, and puts the first piece into his bride’s mouth, then into his mouth. Eating bread together shows that they are now related. Doing so expresses the thought, “May your marriage be preserved and full of the flavor of God.” The groom takes the pitcher of wine, pours a cup, and hands it to his bride. They each take a sip. This is the “drinking of the cup one last time in His Father’s house.” The covenant has been finalized.

This may be the origin of the wedding cake and champaign toast: During the diaspora, many Jews came west and were absorbed into western culture. Possibly the cake and champaign represented the bread and the wine of the Galilean wedding covenant. When the bride and groom share a piece of cake, remember what it meant in Jesus’ day. Ratify your own covenant and consider that first bite as holy.

At some point, the groom takes the bride’s hand and they depart to consummate the marriage while the party continues. When they return, the marriage is consummated. At that point, the party shifts into high gear for seven days.

In Revelation 19 Babylon the Great has fallen. John hears the sound of a great multitude (like thunder), the voice of God. All are shouting, “Hallelejuh! For the Lord Almighty reigns. Let us be glad…for the marriage of the Lamb has come.” This is Jesus’ wedding feast. The Bride has made herself ready. Fine linen was given to her (the righteous acts of the saints done in Christ’s righteousness). John sees this and falls on his face.

When we evangelize, we’re handing out wedding invitations. Jesus will provide the required garments to wear. Imagine how a groom feels today when at last, the bride appears. Now imagine how Christ, our bridegroom, will feel after waiting for sooo long. This is the moment all eternity has been anticipating. Everything in history has been pointing to this moment (not the cross). The cross has purified us to make us a holy bride suitable for the Son of God. From this moment on, Jesus is always with His bride.

Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it. (Eph. 5:25). This one simple verse describes Christ’s wedding. It also explains everything that exists and why we are here. It represents God’s entire plan in one sentence. Christ gave His all for the Church to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of the water (mikveh) through His word, that He may present her to himself a radiant bride, holy and acceptable without spot or wrinkle (Eph. 5:25-27). This is what the marriage of the Lamb means to us. What a summary of all of God’s love and grace!

Despite all our failures and our own filthy garments, Jesus has made us to be radiant. He has cleansed us completely. This is why marriage is sacred, and not some sort of spiritual mating ceremony. Jesus has covenanted with us. It is till death us do part, and He already did that too so that neither He nor we will ever die again. He will never leave us. These days, people live together in case things go wrong. Jesus’ covenant means He is bound to be with us forever. All of today’s perversions (gay marriage) are wrong because they defile the purity of the thing that is more important to Jesus than anything-a pure and holy bride.