INTRODUCTION - HERE IN THESE FEW VERSES THE BOOK OF REVELATION COMES TO A GRAND CLIMAX - THIS IS GOAL

• After a grand crescendo - drums of sin, judgement, tribulation - a new beautiful note sounded
• The Halleluiah Chorus (1-6) and the reason for rejoicing- Sanctuary is filled- a wedding!
• The confusion before the wedding must not make us miss the Joy of the Lord- Wedding supper!

We can stand a lot of confusion, problems, sacrifice - for the promised joy of wedding!

I. WHO IS THE BRIDE???

Prophecies, Parables, Figures of Speech-beautiful, but hard to focus, can't walk on all 4 feet

A. THERE ARE MANY WONDERFUL PICTURES IN THE BIBLE IN PARABLES, ILLUSTRATIONS, FIGURES OF SPEECH

1. Hos 2:16-23 gives a great promise when the adulterous wife of Jehovah will be restored-Israel
2. Jesus led his Disciples in rejoicing -Matt 9:15 & said it is so with children of Bridechamber
3. John the Baptist John 3:29 rejoiced with Jesus as a friend of the Bridegroom -sent him disciples

B.  THE GREATEST NUMBER OF PARABLES CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH A GREAT WEDDING FEAST, SON OF THE KING

1. Luke 12:36-the Servants instructed to be faithful in waiting the Lord's return for wedding
2. Matt 22:1-14 -Those bidden don't come, others invited & v.11 demands a wedding garment to wear
3. Matt 25:1-13 -The 10 virgins, but 5 are foolish, no oil, careless, and missed, left behind

C.  BUT TO GET A CLEAR PICTURE, WE MUST FOCUS IN ON SOMETHING PLAIN AND STRONG IN CONTRAST

1. Rev. 21:9b a plain statement- the Bride is the City - Cf. v.10 the Building, streets or People
2. Read Eph 5:25-32, this is plain- it is the Church that is Bride of Christ -not Building, but People
3. Who are the people- Rev 21:27b- "They which are written in the Lamb's book of life"!

No certain clique, church, denomination, 144K -  the redeemed only!  Include O.T. if you wish - but include none but the redeemed by the  Blood of the Crucified one-!

II.  HOW IS SHE PREPARED ???

There is no wedding without preparation- and the preparation is important! Confusing, but Important

A.  THE ONLY ONES TO HAVE PART IN THE WEDDING ARE THOSE WHO ARE REDEEMED BY THE LORD - Many pictures

1. Those who were invited, and came, enjoyed the wedding feast-but one with no garment-tossed out
2. The 5 Virgins who went with the Bridegroom were invited, waiting, had oil (Holy Spirit)
3. The only ones in the New Jerusalem will be those with Names written- Cf. Luke 10:20 - rejoice-

B.  BUT EVEN AFTER BEING CALLED, AND RESPONDING, THE BRIDE HAD TO BE PREPARED FOR THE WEDDING

1. Rev. 7:14 says garments washed white in blood of lamb- Rev 12:11-overcame by Testimony & love
2. II Cor 11:1-3 Paul had a great Jealousy to present the Bride spotless, chaste, not corrupted
3. Eph 5:25-32 Christ worked on the Church- to make it without spot or wrinkle- glorious, no blemish

C.  THOUGH THE GROOM MAKES IT ALL POSSIBLE, THE BRIDE DOES HAVE SOMETHING TO DO ABOUT IT!

1. Many are called- but few chosen Matt 20:15, God calls, invites those who come are chosen!
2. Paul's jealousy is well founded-some say they Love Christ-but dance Satan's tune-flirt with sin
3. Heb 9:28 "Unto them that look for Him He will come" are you watchful, waiting, Spirit filled?

 No sacrifice is too great for a Bride to make for her wedding- have you made any for yours?

III. WHEN WILL THIS WEDDING BE ???

We have habit of waiting to last minute - start planning early - get ready for that day!

A.  THE GREAT WEDDING SONG, THE CANTICLES, SONG OF SOLOMON, IN THE O.T. DESCRIBES TWO ADVENTS

1. The shepherd (King in disguise) comes and finds his love, and calls her to be his own
2. He secured her promise to wait & be faithful, then left she had time of testing-mocking
3. Then he came back as King- bearing precious gifts, made her queen, took her into His palace

B.  THE CHRONOLOGY OF ESCATOLOGY IS FAIRLY PLAIN IN THE LAST OF REVELATION, BUT FOCUS IT A LITTLE

1. The rapture of the Saints calls us to the Judgement seat of Christ- II Cor 5:10-
2. It is toward the close of the 7 years Tribulation that the Marriage Supper occurs- Rev 19:18
3. Then the Lord claims His inheritance- Rev. 19:11- to 20:& 21: & establishes His eternal house

C.  BUT THE TIME OF THE BETROTHAL, ENGAGEMENT, COURTSHIP, ETC. IS NOW NOW! BELIEVE IT NOW

1. We are invited to accept His proposal- many are invited- but we must come to the Lord to be accepted
2. We go out into the Highways & Byways inviting people to come into the feast- evangelism!
3. All parables, stories, illustrations, prophecies- state-THOSE WHO REFUSE ARE JUDGED NOT WORTHY

The Lord is calling his bride NOW* The Lord is preparing his bride NOW - are you included?

CONCLUSION - THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS AND THE PEACE OF THE WEDDING FEAST IS FOR THOSE WHO ACCEPT HIM

1. Have you? If not- read the terror of the Lord described in Rev. 19:11-21
2. If you have accepted His call- this is the time of testing- how are you doing- True?
3. If you really love him, this is the time to bring others in with you- how is this doing?

Will you send the gospel with your Christmas card greetings?