“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”
(Revelation 19:7)
Not only is the Lamb of God our Savior and King, He is also our Bridegroom. And His bride, composed of all the redeemed from every age and nation, is now being purified and made ready for the marriage that all of heaven will rejoice to behold. For this heavenly event will celebrate both the eternal union between Christ and His Church and the fulfillment of the purposes of God established before the foundation of the world.
From the beginning of time, God designed marriage between a man and a woman as a reflection of this sacred and mysterious union between Christ and His Church (Gen. 2:18, Eph. 5:31–32). The marriage covenant between man and woman mirrors the covenant of grace, in which Christ has bound Himself to His people by love, blood, and promise. And the wedding of the Lamb is the great climactic celebration of that covenant fulfilled.
How marvelous is the love of Christ! The price He paid to secure His bride was not silver or gold, but His own precious blood (1 Peter 1:18–19). He gave Himself for her—not just to cleanse her, but to claim her. The Father gave His Son a people, and the Son gave Himself to redeem them. We were betrothed at the cross. And we now await the final consummation of that promise when Christ returns to bring us to the Father’s house.
The imagery in Revelation is beautiful. The bride has “made herself ready” (Rev. 19:7)—not through her own efforts but by the sanctifying work of Christ applied by the Holy Spirit. She is clothed in fine linen, which is the righteousness of saints (v. 8). And she is presented in glory, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, holy and without blemish (Eph. 5:27). “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee” (Isaiah 62:5).
Praise and adoration will fill heaven on that day. A great and joyous multitude will join together to give glory to the Lamb (Rev. 19:6–7) for the long-awaited union is here. The time of preparation is past. The trials and sufferings of this life are over. Faith gives way to sight. Hope is fulfilled. Love reaches its consummation. The Church sees her Lord and is satisfied forever. “The Saints shall not need to pray when they come in heaven, there all their desires shall be satisfied, and they shall want nothing, and therefore have no need to pray.”[1]
Every moment of holiness pursued, every act of love rendered, every trial endured in faith will then be crowned with joy. Christ will be the central focus, the treasured beloved of His people. We adore Him now as our Lord and Redeemer; then we shall adore Him face to face as our eternal Husband.
Let every soul who belongs to Christ say with loving sincerity: Come quickly, Lord Jesus.
Contemplation:
- Christ, My Eternal Husband. What glory it is to know that Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, is also my Bridegroom. He has joined Himself to me by His covenant of grace, not for a time, but for eternity. My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude and awe at the thought that I, a sinner, am the object of such infinite affection and eternal promise.
- Head and Lord of the Church. Lord Jesus, You are not only the Savior of the Church but her Head, her Surety, her Beloved. You are preparing a place for us and will return to receive us unto Yourself. What blessed hope I have because of Your Word. Let me live every day in joyful expectation of that marriage supper, rejoicing in the certainty of Your return.
- Making Myself Ready. I know, Lord, that I am justified by faith, but You also call me to holiness as Your bride. Am I preparing myself for that day? Am I pursuing purity, obedience, and love for You above all else? Help me not grow idle or distracted but rather be diligently watching and longing for the return of my Beloved and adorning myself with the fruits of righteousness.
- Assurance Through Diligence. Lord, I know that assurance of salvation is strengthened through holiness and faithfulness. There is a difference between hoping for heaven and living in preparation for it. Grant me the joy that comes from sincere obedience, and let my readiness reflect that I truly belong to You. When the cry goes out at midnight, “Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,” may I be ready with lamp lit and heart awake.
Prayer (Adoration):
O Lamb of God, my soul exalts You. You are the Bridegroom who has loved Your Church with an everlasting love and drawn her with cords of mercy. Before the foundation of the world, You set Your affection upon us. In the fullness of time, You came, lived in obedience, died in sacrifice, and rose in triumph—all to secure for Yourself a spotless bride. You are worthy of all praise.
I adore You, Jesus, for Your redeeming love. You did not withhold even Your own blood. You paid the bride price with suffering, sorrow, and death, that we might be Yours forever. You washed us and made us clean and clothed us in robes of righteousness. You are preparing a place for us even now, and we await the day when You will come again and receive us to Yourself.
My Lord and my God, I adore You as my Husband, my Head, my Hope. I am not worthy to be called Yours, yet You claimed me by grace. I was a stranger, but You made me beloved. I was far off, but You brought me near. I adore You for Your covenant faithfulness, for Your lovingkindness that never ends.
Holy Spirit, prepare me for that day. Convict me when I grow cold or distracted. Stir my affections. Let the oil of grace fill my lamp, that I may be ready at the cry of midnight. Let my worship now reflect the celebration that will come. And keep me be pure, faithful, longing, waiting, and working until I see my Bridegroom face to face.
Let all heaven rejoice—and let my heart join the song: “Let us be glad, and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come!” O Christ, You are all glorious. Let every adoration be Yours for You are my Beloved, and I am Yours.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Revelation 19:7:
Matthew 22:2, 25:10; Hosea 2:19; Luke 12:36; Ephesians 5:32; Isaiah 62:5.
[1] Timothy Armitage, A Trial of Faith, (London: M.S. for Henry Cripps, 1661), 455.
