How can we prepare to be part of the "Bride" mentioned in Revelation 21:9? Setting the scene: the Bride unveiled “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven final plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’” (Revelation 21:9) John is invited to behold the radiant city, New Jerusalem—yet the angel calls this city “the bride.” Scripture consistently speaks of Christ’s redeemed people as His Bride (Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Corinthians 11:2). The question becomes personal: how do we live now so we are counted among that beautiful, prepared company? Step one: receive the Bridegroom’s saving love • Believe and confess. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) • Become part of His family. “To all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) • New birth is the doorway; no amount of self-effort substitutes for the cleansing blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). Step two: let the Bridegroom’s Word wash and shape daily life • “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.” (Ephesians 5:25-26) • Regular, prayerful Scripture intake renews mind and behavior—He removes spots and wrinkles so we resemble Him. • Obedience flows from love: “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.” (John 14:23) Step three: pursue purity and holiness • Hope fuels holiness. “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3) • Turn from anything that dulls affection for Christ—immorality, bitterness, worldly compromise (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; James 4:4). • Live visibly different in a fading world. “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.” (2 Peter 3:11) Step four: dress in fine linen—righteous acts empowered by grace • “She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure…for the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints.” (Revelation 19:8) • Good works are not self-generated merit; they are Spirit-enabled responses to grace (Ephesians 2:10). • Serve, give, forgive, evangelize, encourage—every act woven into the wedding garment. Step five: stay watchful and faithful • Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins highlights readiness (Matthew 25:1-13). The wise stayed supplied with oil—symbolic of continual dependence on the Spirit. • “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:13) • Refuse spiritual slumber; cultivate daily expectancy of His return. Step six: nurture bridal love and intimacy • Friendship grows through time together—private worship, listening for His voice, celebrating the Lord’s Supper, enjoying fellowship with His people. • John the Baptist rejoiced just to hear the Bridegroom’s voice (John 3:29). Prioritize that same delight. • Trials can deepen attachment: “We rejoice in our sufferings…because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 5:3-5) Step seven: echo the Bride’s invitation to others • “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’” (Revelation 22:17) • As we await the wedding, we extend invitations—sharing the gospel, showing hospitality, living attractively so others long for the same hope. • A growing Bride is a joyous Bride; every new believer is another precious stone set into New Jerusalem. Looking ahead: the certain wedding day • “Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7) • Our citizenship is already in heaven; our transformation is guaranteed (Philippians 3:20-21). • Until that trumpet sounds, we keep preparing—cleansed by His blood, kept by His power, clothed in His righteousness—so we will stand with the countless multitude, radiant and forever united with the Lamb. |
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