Day 17 – Applications of the Jewish Wedding traditions for today

Read: John 14: 1 – 3; I Thessalonians 4: 13 – 18

As we consider Christ’s return and his promise to rapture us from this sin-sick world, it might be well to consider the implications of the Jewish wedding traditions for our future.

1. What does the New Testament continually portray as the Bride of Christ? The Church is the answer as we read in II Corinthians 11:2.
2. Just as the Jewish bridegroom left his father’s house, Jesus left his home in heaven to come to earth to obtain his bride through the establishment of a new covenant. Jesus said, “When I shed my blood, I will be establishing my new covenant.”
3. Jesus had to pay a purchase price to obtain his bride to establish this new covenant. The price paid was the very life of our most blessed Lord. Ephesians 5: 25 – 27.
4. Just like the Jewish couple, Jesus asks us to symbolize our espousal to him by drinking from the communion cup. The couple showed their families and the community that they were committed to each other by drinking together from the cup. Communion could have the same meaning for all Christ followers. “I am committed to you Jesus as my one true Lord. I will entertain thoughts of no one else except you.”
5. Jesus returned to His father’s house and we are now living in this separation time. Jesus wanted to qualm the fears of the disciples by saying “Don’t worry! It’s going to be just like the bridegroom. I’m just in another place preparing your apartment. I know what’s happening and I will be back for you”.
6. Jesus’ return is imminent but we don’t know just when. Just like the bride of old we are compelled to sit patiently and wait for our bridegroom. The groom expected his bride to remain faithful. He expected her to be vigilant and not asleep.
7. Jesus told the disciples that he would spend the separation time preparing our accommodations. What a grand and glorious apartment it will surely be. We should periodically contemplate what life will be like when we meet Jesus in our eternal home. Anxiously awaiting his return and pondering our new life will deepen our love for him. It will create that burning desire in us that only he can satisfy
8. The passage in I Thessalonians tells us that at the rapture Jesus will come in the heavens with an escort to retrieve his bride. His escort – i.e., his best man – will be an Archangel.
9. His return will also be accompanied by a shout. What will the shout say? We don’t know for sure but wouldn’t it be something if we hear “Behold the bridegroom comes.”
10. Just as the Jewish groom didn’t step into the bride’s home, Jesus will not set foot on earth when he raptures the church. The Bible says we will be caught up to meet him.
11. Jesus will return with His bride to His father’s house where the wedding guests are assembled. Revelations 19:9 describes a large celebratory banquet called the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
    We will soon spend some time studying a seven-year period called the Great Tribulation which is a term for a seven-year period of suffering and judgement on the earth prior to the second coming of Christ. There is some disagreement among scholars but many take a pre-tribulation position. The church will be raptured first, followed by a seven-year period of suffering on earth culminating in the second coming of Christ and the Final battle of Armageddon.
12. No one knows the exact time line for these end-time events but perhaps the traditions of the Jewish wedding give us a glimpse.
13. The Lord will keep His bride – the church – hidden from those on earth for the seven- year tribulation period just as the groom kept his bride hidden for seven days.
14. At the second coming when the Lord Jesus Christ comes to earth to defeat Satan and claim His rightful position, He will bring the church with Him. He will bring His true church and reveal His bride. The veil will be removed and everyone will see His bride and know who she is.