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"...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.
Revelation 19:7-8
Weddings. Most of us have been involved in a few. Brides ourselves or grooms. Mothers of the bride, fathers of the bride. Best men. Maids of honor. Groomsmen and bridesmaids.
Most put a lot of preparation into this once in a lifetime event. Here we have the marriage of the Lamb, Jesus, to His Bride, the Church. This too a once in a lifetime event. The fulfillment of all His promises.
In preparing for their marriage, brides take a lot of time and energy to find the right dress. The cut and fabric must be perfect. Accessories are carefully chosen: shoes, veil, headpiece, jewelry, flowers. So much goes into the attire of the bride.
Here, at the marriage of the Lamb, we see the Bride, like all brides, is granted the privilege of making herself ready for the special Day. She can clothe herself in fine linen, bright pure linen, which is the righteous deeds of the saints.
I've always thought the wedding imagery might make it difficult for men to embrace the idea of being Christ's Bride, but remembering the Church universal is His Bride should help. And our pursuit of righteousness, not vanity, should capture men's hearts in preparing for this great Day.
So saints, how much time and energy are you putting into preparing for this Day. The once in a lifetime marriage of the Church to our Savior?
Consider the wedding preparations you've been involved in before... and now translate those to your spiritual life...
Where does the work of righteousness need to be tended to in your life?
How can you be part of preparing the Bride for her special day?
Lord, help me to put more energy into preparing
for Your marriage to the Church. I want to contribute
to the deeds of righteousness, making her pure and bright.
I make myself available for Your use until the coming Day.
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