After this I heard something like the loud voice of a vast multitude in heaven, saying: Hallelujah! Salvation, glory, and power belong to our God, 2 because His judgments are true and righteous, because He has judged the notorious prostitute who corrupted the earth with her sexual immorality; and He has avenged the blood of His slaves that was on her hands. 3 A second time they said: Hallelujah! Her smoke ascends forever and ever! 4 Then the 24 elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who is seated on the throne, saying: Amen! Hallelujah! 5 A voice came from the throne, saying: Praise our God, all His slaves, who fear Him, both small and great! 6 Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude, like the sound of cascading waters, and like the rumbling of loud thunder, saying: Hallelujah, because our Lord God, the Almighty, has begun to reign! 7 Let us be glad, rejoice, and give Him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has prepared herself. 8 She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, “Write: Those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb are fortunate!” He also said to me, “These words of God are true.” 10 Then I fell at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow slave with you and your brothers who have the testimony about Jesus Worship God, because the testimony about Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse. Its rider is called Faithful and True, and He judges and makes war in righteousness 12 His eyes were like a fiery flame, and many crowns were on His head. He had a name written that no one knows except Himself. 13 He wore a robe stained with blood, and His name is the Word of God 14 The armies that were in heaven followed Him on white horses, wearing pure white linen. 15 A sharp sword came from His mouth, so that He might strike the nations with it. He will shepherd them with an iron scepter. He will also trample the winepress of the fierce anger of God, the Almighty. 16 And He has a name written on His robe and on His thigh: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 Then I saw an angel standing on the sun, and he cried out in a loud voice, saying to all the birds flying high overhead, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of commanders, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of their riders, and the flesh of everyone, both free and slave, small and great.” 19 Then I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to wage war against the rider on the horse and against His army. 20 But the beast was taken prisoner, and along with him the false prophet, who had performed the signs in his presence. He deceived those who accepted the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image with these signs. Both of them were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 The rest were killed with the sword that came from the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds were filled with their flesh. 

There is so much packed into this chapter it would be impossible to focus on everything. So I want us to turn our attention to verses 6 - 10. John was given a vision of the reunion of the Jesus and His Church. He calls it the Marriage of the Lamb. And oh what a wedding celebration it is. This passage of Scripture challenges us to consider once again what our greatest blessing is as Christians. Spoiler alert. It is our personal relationship with Christ!

There are so many images God could have used to reveal and describe to us the eternal state, but He chose a wedding supper. Why? Could it be that throughout Scripture this marriage picture has helped us to see God's relationship with His people? Many passages contain this metaphor (Hosea 2:16, 19-20; Isaiah 54:5-7; Jeremiah 2:2; Matthew 25:1-13).  The prophets spoke of Israel being the wife of God (Isaiah 49:18; 54:5-6; 62:5; Jeremiah 2:2; Ezekiel 16:15-63; Hosea 2:14-23). When Israel was unfaithful the prophets compared that to adultery (Jeremiah 3:20; Ezekiel 16:15-63; Hosea 2:1-13; 4:12, 15). But God is the One who remains faithful in the relationship and has a plan to restore His bride under the New Covenant (Isaiah 62:1-5; Ezekiel 16:60-63; Hosea 2:16-20).

Is it any wonder then that Jesus would picture Himself as the bridegroom (Mark 2:19-20; John 3:29). Is it any wonder He would picture the Church as His bride (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-33; Revelation 19:7; 21:2, 9; 22:17). This is such a beautiful and plain way to describe to the world God's love for His people. It also gives us emotional security as Christians in knowing we are His and we have His protection from His wrath.

Our modern culture and society have completely twisted the meaning of marriage. To them it is just a legal document that ensures them to qualify for certain benefits or put a seal of approval on a Godless living arrangement. But as we have seen, the Bible gives us a more complete image of what marriage is. It is a union of deep and enduring intimacy. It is a relationship that involves a lifelong commitment that is lived out in faithfulness. It is filled with balanced joy, selflessness, sacrifice and devotion. This is the picture of the relationship that Christ has with His Church.