What does "His bride has made herself ready" mean for believers today? Setting the Scene: A Wedding Feast Beyond Compare • Revelation 19:7 announces a cosmic celebration: “Let us rejoice and exult and give Him glory! For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready”. • The imagery is a first-century Jewish wedding, where a groom claims his betrothed and brings her home. Believers collectively are that bride; Christ is the Lamb. • Verse 8 adds, “She was given fine linen to wear, bright and clean. For the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints”. Readiness shows itself in visible, righteous living. Who Is the Bride? • The church—every born-again believer from Pentecost until Christ’s return (Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Corinthians 11:2). • Not merely an institution but a people redeemed, purified, and set apart. • Revelation 21:2 pictures the same company: “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband”. Getting Ready—Then and Now In John’s day, a bride prepared through: 1. A betrothal covenant (arranged, binding). 2. A period of purification and anticipation. 3. A torch-lit procession when the groom arrived unexpectedly. Believers follow the same pattern: • Covenant—salvation by grace through faith. • Purification—sanctification in daily life. • Expectation—watchful living for Christ’s unannounced return (Matthew 25:1-13). What “Made Herself Ready” Looks Like Today Scripture ties readiness to four interwoven realities: 1. Cleansed hearts: “If we walk in the light… the blood of Jesus… purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). 2. Obedient lives: “The fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8). 3. Doctrinal fidelity: “Christ loved the church… cleansing her by the washing with water through the word” (Ephesians 5:25-26). 4. Eager hope: “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). Practical Ways to Make Ourselves Ready • Daily confession and repentance (1 John 1:9). • Immersion in Scripture—letting truth wash away cultural lies. • Regular fellowship and accountability (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Active service and good works God prepared beforehand (Ephesians 2:10). • Sharing the gospel so more may join the bride (2 Corinthians 5:20). • Cultivating a longing heart—praying, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20). Living in the Expectation of the Wedding • Readiness is not frantic activity; it is faithful stewardship (Luke 12:35-37). • The “fine linen” is granted by grace yet woven through our choices—God works in us as we work out what He works in (Philippians 2:12-13). • Trials refine the wedding garment: “Though now for a little while you may have to suffer… these trials will prove the genuineness of your faith” (1 Peter 1:6-7). Encouragement to Finish Well • Christ promises to present us “holy and blameless” (Colossians 1:22). • The Spirit empowers readiness (Titus 2:11-14). • Because the wedding is certain, perseverance is mandatory: “Yet you have a few people… who have not soiled their garments; they will walk with Me in white” (Revelation 3:4). The Lamb’s wedding day is on heaven’s calendar. Until the trumpet sounds, believers are to live in purity, devotion, and joyful anticipation—ever dressing the bride in fine linen that will shine at the everlasting celebration. |
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