Prepared for the Bridegroom – December 16, 2018 – Steve Miller
It's true – the shadows are lengthening; the day is drawing to a close.
· It's the end of 2018. Didn't we just start 2018? For that matter, didn't we just start the 21st century? And now we're almost a fifth of the way through it?
· Jesus said, “Yes, I am coming soon.” That was almost 2,000 years ago.
· Our babies are in all in high school and college. Many of you are grandparents (or a great-grandparents). The new buildings here are thirty years old. You've got grey hair. I have no hair.
· Besides the passing of time, we see Biblical signs that the end of the age is nearing. There are earthquakes, wars, and rumors of war. We see Christians hated by all nations because of Christ. There's an increase of wickedness, and the love of many has grown cold (Matthew 24). Many are going here and there, and knowledge has increased (Daniel 12:4).
John 9:4 – 4As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.
The thought that our time here is limited can bring sadness, anxiety, or regret, but for us, God's people, that night will be a glorious one: the wedding feast of the Lamb!
Our Bridegroom is coming!
Revelation 19:6-9 – 6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
9Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
Revelation 21:1-4
What an awesome future is coming for God's people, His Bride! But how should a bride prepare to be wed to her husband? The most important thing is to be pure and faithful to Him. But any honest person will realize that we have not been completely pure and faithful to Christ. That's why the Gospel is good news for us:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – 9Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Our Bridegroom has made us pure. Grace makes us pure and empowers us to live faithfully. Have you accepted his grace? Have you by repentance, faith, and baptism, exchanged your unrighteousness for His purity? Do you continue to daily walk in that grace so that you may live your life faithfully for Him in this world?
Consider the words of one of the Christmas carols we sing the most:
O come, all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem.
Come and behold Him,
Born the King of angels;
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.
Peter gives advice to wives about how to win over and be beautiful to their husbands. We can apply some of these principles to our preparation for our eternal union with Christ:
1 Peter 3:1-6
The key word there for us is to submit ourselves in obedience to Christ as Lord. Allow the Holy Spirit in us to produce His fruit which is true beauty in Jesus' sight. Do not let any kind of fear sway you from trusting obedience to Him.
1 Corinthians 10:13-14 – 13No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 14Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
The Song of Solomon is reflects Christ's feelings for His redeemed and sanctified people:
Song of Solomon 4:9 – You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.
The Lord is passionate about His relationship with us, and He wants us to grow more deeply in love with Him as we live out our days in this life. When Cathy and I were engaged, we spent just about all of our time outside of sleep and work time with each other. We talked about the future; we made plans for the wedding and our home together; I ate dinner with her and her family just about every evening. But most importantly, we spent a lot of time adoring each other. We were both singularly focused on each other. Similarly, the Lord wants our eyes to be fixed captivatedly on Him, getting to know Him more and more.
Hebrews 10:19-25
1 Chronicles 16:29 – Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
The Lord is calling us to draw near to Him, to fix our gaze on Him, to increasingly see and know Him in all His goodness, splendor, and holiness. Spend time worshiping Him, talking to Him, listening to Him, meditating on His words and deeds. Bring all kinds of offerings to Him, for what we invest in, we will increasingly love and be devoted to. Be excited about our Lord Jesus, for the day is soon approaching when we will be united with Him in our eternal home!
