Scripture Reading: Revelation 19:6-10

Revelation 19 contains a stirring image of the relationship between Christ and His people. The imagery is of a joyous wedding ceremony. "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."

What a beautiful picture of the relationship between Christ and His own. A marriage calls to mind Christ's love for His people. "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Eph 5:25).

A marriage calls to mind the union Christians have with Christ, as they are frequently referred to as being 'in Christ'. "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Cor 5:17).

A marriage calls to mind the beautiful wedding gown the bride wears. Christ dresses His people with His own righteousness. "It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints" (Rev 19:8). "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Cor 5:21).

The relationship Christ has with His people is intimate, satisfying, meaningful, joyful, and everlasting. Indeed, to be loved by Christ and to belong to Him is the very life of life ... of greater splendor and majesty than any wedding we ever saw on this earth.