Issue 745 – Bridal Party – May 15, 2022
Yesterday, Kathy and I were more successful in outrunning the rain and made a bit of a road trip. We put quite a few miles on and mostly managed to avoid the main highways and the rain.
We started with an early afternoon ice cream cone at Abbotsford’s Birchwood Dairies (definitely worth a stop if you are in the area). We cruised the parallel roads to the East and stopped at Bridal Veil Falls. A short hike in and then the falls.
From there, we went cross country to the North and visited Harrison Hot Springs, where we checked out the lake. Swinging back to the South and East, we crossed back over the Fraser River to Hope and had supper at a favourite local restaurant Rolly’s. From there, it was home via the back roads.
Our primary destination was to check out the falls and then see where the wind would take us. The falls are reportedly named because someone thought the water looked like the veil on a bridal gown. It took some imagination, but I could sort of picture that once prompted.
After seeing the falls, the whole idea of believers being the bride of Christ kept circulating in the back of my brain. It is a fantastic concept and the imagery seen throughout the New Testament.
God as bridegroom also appears in various places in the Old Testament, with His people often shown to be unfaithful. Much of Hosea shows the concept in very vivid language.
Thinking about the church as Christ’s bride brought me to the wedding feast. The wedding supper was the final step in a Jewish wedding.
First was the betrothal or engagement. A bride price was paid, in the case of Jesus, literally paid in blood on the cross. Our betrothal, in many ways, begins when we first become believers.
Second came a day where a wedding parade would lead to the groom’s home. The parable of the Ten Virgins draws on this custom. For believers, this is the time we spend watching and waiting for the return of Christ or going to be with Him.
Lastly was the feast itself. This was a lavish event offering the best of Jewish hospitality and often lasting for days on end. Jesus’ first recorded miracle was performed at such an event, at a wedding in Cana in Galilee.
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:6-10
What a celebration that will be. All the redeemed of Christ from every age, tribe and country. All of them will be praising the king, our groom.
I have tried to picture it, imagining the most lavish events I have seen or known of and falling short. I can’t believe that a wretched sinner like me would ever be able to attend, yet the Bible proclaims it to be true.
Somehow, in the Father’s perfect wisdom, it was ordained from before the beginning of time that some would believe and clothed in the righteousness of Christ gather to celebrate the king. What a generous Lord to make such a high-priced gift available to such unworthy subjects.
I am looking forward to being with the groom and spending time with you, and all the other believers there ever were.
Praise His name and give Him thanks.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
_____________________________
All contents are © 2001, 2022 K. F. “Kevin” Corbin and Gleanings From The Word.
Check us out on the web at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Retalk.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV). Spelling modified to Canadian English as required.
____________________________
#devotional #biblestudy #dailybible #bible #love #joy #gleanings #KevinCorbin #jesus #god #faith #christian #Christ #Father #bibleverses #prayer #church #forgiveness #Holyspirit #pray #jesuschrist #worship #Biblereading #believe #dailybiblereading #dailybible #devotional #discipleship
#Bridal-Veil-Falls #Hope #Harrison-Hot-Springs #Birchwood-Dairies #Abbotsford #Rollys