Revelation 19:6–8
6 Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty thunder peals, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 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; 8 to her it has been granted to be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
Tomorrow is my wedding anniversary. Twenty six years ago, Michelle and I made our vows before God and a congregation of friends and family. I still have a picture of that special day on my dresser. Every morning I wake up and remember with joy the day we pledged ourselves to one another.
In my study, I have another picture, but this one is of my parents on their wedding day. My parents celebrated fifty years of marriage. Like many marriages my parents’ life together had its ups and downs, but what stood out was their love and devotion to one another no matter what came their way. The fiftieth anniversary is usually a time for celebration, but that year was the most difficult year of their marriage because my dad quickly deteriorated from dementia and had to live in a care facility. It pained my mother to be separate from my dad. My mother died a month before their fifty-first anniversary. I keep that picture on my bookshelf as a reminder of their love and commitment.
Revelation gives us a picture of a wedding as well. While our wedding photos are glimpses into our past, Revelation gives us a preview of our future. One day we will gather with all of the saints at the wedding of the Lamb and his bride, the Church. On that day, the Church shall be made white as snow and shall look upon the loving face of our groom. God gave John this image as an encouragement to the faithful, to remind us that no matter what happens or what we endure, we have been chosen by God. And just like our own wedding pictures, no one can take that away from us, “not death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
Gracious and loving Lord, thank you for the love and commitment we have known in our families and within the Church. Most of all, thank you for the love and commitment we have known in Christ. Help us to lead good and faithful lives of example that bear witness to our future in You. Bless your Church and purify us from all wrongs so that we can stand blameless before you. In the name of the righteous Lamb of God, we pray. Amen.
Rev. Dr. Jon Nelson
Pastor