Bible Commentaries

Verses 1-11

1. THE WEDDING!
   1. We’ve looked at their Courtship(1-3:5). Now we have the Wedding(3:6-5:1)
   2. Quick overview of a Jewish wedding.
      1. Betrothal/Marriage 1) Groom to leave Fathers House/ To Brides. {Incarnation} 2) Negotiate Price. {That would be his blood} 3) Now Betrothed. {at salvation} {now Set-Apart} 4) Both drank from a cup/ confirm cov. {communion} 5) Back to Fathers House. {“I go to prepare a place for you”} 6) Meanwhile bride Prepares herself. {White gown/holiness/sanctification} 7) Invitations go out but not everyone comes. {When gospel invite goes out not all come} 8) Father sendsGroom, {when its ready; Father inspects & says when} 9) She expected him/ didn’t know exactly when? {in the twinkling of an eye} 10) The Groom arrived w/his groomsmen & was proceeded w/a shout! 11) He takes Bride to Fathers House {Rapture} {“I will return again & receive you to myself, that where I am there you may be also!”} 12) Enter Bridal chamber & consummate marriage for 7 days {marriage/sup of the lamb}
2. THE GALLANT GROOM! (3:6-11)
   1. Interesting the 1^st topic of discussion, & focus, is on the “Groom” not the Bride at this wedding.
      1. The same is true at another wedding soon to come.
   2. Let’s look at Rev.19:7.
      1. (7a) - The Wedding Announcement! - It is the Marriage of the “Lamb” (Normally a wedding is announced in the name of the Bride!…but not this one!)
         1. He will be the center of attention…not her!
      2. The processional will not be playing “Here comes the bride”, but “Here comes the Groom!”(Ryrie)
      3. (7b-8a) - The Brides Dress! - Again God’s beautiful balance of Man’s Responsibility & God’s Sovereignty!
         1. Man’s Responsibility: “…has made herself ready!” {Her part}
            1. God’s Sovereignty: “…to her it was granted!” {His part}
      4. Her wedding gown is…her “righteous acts”! {It looks like we get a white garment @ salvation, that only comes by Him! - Then we make a dress on top of it!}
         1. Every “good work” is another stitch in the making of our wedding dress!
      5. Brides come to our church on their wedding day 1 of 3 ways: [1] Fully ready [2] Partially ready [3] or, Not ready.
         1. Will you be “ready”?
      6. Adorn yourself with “Good Works”:
         1. Mt.5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
         2. 1 Pet.2:12 “having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
         3. 1 Pet.5:5 “…be clothed w/humility.”
      7. (9) - A Special Blessing is pronounced upon these called to the meal.
      8. (10) - Look at the response of the 1 human who got a glimpse of this wedding feast…is this going to be an incredible wedding or what?
   3. Note other similarities:
      1. (6) “Out of the wilderness” - Explain mount Olivet divides wilderness from the city.
         1. Jesus 1^st coming to “purchase” His Bride, he came from the wilderness (Bethany) on donkey.
         2. Jesus 2^nd coming “w/His bride” He comes from Mt. Olivet (which separates the city from the wilderness even today)
      2. (7) Surrounded by “valiant men” – Jesus will also be surrounded by valiant men/angels “the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.” (Rev.19:14)
      3. (11a) the crown – Not the kings crown, one worn at weddings (wreath). This custom was abandoned at the fall of Israel in 70ad.
         1. A rabbinic proverb states that “a bridegroom resembles a king.”
      4. (11b) the gladness of the heart –
         1. Zeph. 3:17 “The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."
         2. Jer.31:3 “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”
      5. “Find your delight in him today & the joys of heaven will be greater!” (www)