Revelation 19:1-9 | Rev. Dr. R. Brandon Harris | Weddings take a lot of preparation, especially for the bride! Brides go to great lengths to get themselves ready. The same must be true for the wedding of the church to her groom, Christ. This important image for the culmination of the present age must guide our understanding of what is expected of us and how the parousia (second coming) will unfold. Rapture theology and escapism denies the significance of our sinful past, it leads us to forget how unprepared we are, and it cheapens the grace of Christ.