Rev.19:7 – Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.
The church will soon be caught up to be with Jesus forever, that is our hope, the return of Jesus Christ for His beloved bride. The bride is one of the descriptions of the church throughout the New Testament, we have been washed clean from our sins and clothed with the righteousness of Christ by His precious blood like a bride prepared for her husband. Jesus also spoke about this incredible celebration in one of His parables describing a great wedding celebration a father had thrown for his son. In the parable the Father checked each guest closely and only those with a wedding garment were welcome in His celebration. Aimee Semple McPherson often spoke about that great wedding celebration and famously preached about it while dressed up in a wedding gown. Here is an excerpt of one of her sermons about the coming wedding celebration.
“Thou art the Church, the chosen bride of the Lamb, the Body of overcomers, the tested, tried people who have passed through the waters and walked through the fire. Thou art the espoused wife of thy Beloved, the Son of the Living God. What are these white robes that clothe thee, and that shine with righteousness? These are the robes of His righteousness, with which He didst clothe us in the day of our nakedness. What are these shoes that adorn thy feet, studded with precious jewels and bound with lacings of Love? These are the shoes of Salvation, with which He hath shod His people whom He leadeth forth. Her garments are embroidered with the fine needle work, and each stitch is worked in gold, the victor’s crown of righteousness shall be placed upon her head, and she shall reign with the King upon His throne. O come, come, my beloved, the time is short, I long to lead you quickly forth to greater power and victory. Quicken thy step, O church of the Living God. Press closer to Me. Lean hard upon Mine arm. I will lead thee forth to the more excellent glory; Thus shall we hasten on to the end of the way, till, with My hand I shall sweep back the flaming curtains of eternal dawn, as WE pass through the portals of OUR ETERNAL AND VICTORIOUS DAY. AMEN.”
So the question all of us are required to answer at some point in our lives is something like this, “If you were to die today why should you be welcomed into heaven and this great wedding celebration?” The answer is quite straight forward, Jesus died to save sinners from their sin and that included me. I was a sinner in need of a Savior and the blood of Jesus has washed my sins away. Because of this I am dressed today in His garments of righteousness. Jesus has qualified me to be part of the great celebration.