Blessed are they who are called to the marriage supper

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." – Revelation 19v9

A wedding is nearly always something of a celebration. For the Jews this was especially true. Weddings were a massive celebration. Not only husband and wife, but families celebrated their unity. There would be music, dancing, and feasting in celebration of the great event. These were, and from I understand, still are times of great joy.

This is the picture that we are looking forward to as the bride of Christ. Right now we are waiting in anticipation of the great event. Like the bride we are, or should be, primping and grooming. We should be getting ourselves ready for the great event. Whereas the human bride is concerned about her dress and shoes and all that, our concern should be of a different kind of attire.

Our instruction throughout the New Testament is to prepare and adorn ourselves in holiness so that when the great day comes we are ready and not ashamed. The amazing thing is that Jesus has already prepared us by making us holy, but if we are not careful our daily living does not match up to it.

The illustration is not perfect but bear with me. It is something like a bride being presented with the perfect makeover for her wedding. Everything is done, the dress, the shoes, the hair, and the nails. Instead of keeping herself for the wedding she decides to go bog snorkelling. She grabs her goggle and jumps in the bog water to try and win the race. When she is come she is of course filthy. She still has the dress, shoes, hair, nails, and make-up, but they are all filthy. Is that any way to present herself to her groom?

As the bride of Christ how do we want to show up at our wedding feast?