This is another in a series of excerpts from What Every Christian Should Know About the Return of Jesus, released by High Street Press and available at Amazon. 

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Few events are more jubilant than a Jewish wedding. In Hebrew, it’s described as a simcha, or “joyous occasion.” As we think about the return of Jesus, it may help stir our passions to consider the details of an ancient Jewish wedding, which forms an apt parable of God’s redemptive work.

Let’s begin with John’s report of hearing a thundering voice in heaven, a voice he describes as “the sound of cascading waters, and the rumbling of loud thunder” (Rev. 19:6): 

Hallelujah, because our Lord God, the Almighty, reigns! Let us be glad, rejoice, and give him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has prepared herself. She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure…. Blessed are those invited to the marriage feast of the Lamb! (Rev. 19:6-9).

A day is coming when Christ’s bride – believers from every nation, tribe, people, and language – are gathered in heaven to consummate the marriage between Jesus and his followers. At that time, we enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb. A look into ancient Jewish weddings reveals key truths about our covenant relationship with Jesus, his promise to prepare a place in heaven for us, and the certainty of his return.

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