Meaning of Revelation 19:7

Revelation 19:7 announces a climactic moment of celebration and fulfillment within the eschatological vision of the book of Revelation. The "wedding of the Lamb" is a powerful metaphor for the ultimate union between Christ (the Lamb) and His Church (His bride). This event signifies the completion of God's redemptive plan, the final victory over evil, and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The imperative to "rejoice and be glad and give him glory" underscores the joyous and worshipful nature of this divine consummation, emphasizing that all glory belongs to God for accomplishing this magnificent salvation. The readiness of the bride further signifies the Church's purification and preparation through faith and obedience, making her worthy to be joined to her heavenly bridegroom.

Context and Background

This verse is situated within the latter chapters of Revelation, which depict the unfolding of God's judgment and the establishment of His eternal reign. Specifically, Revelation 19 follows the pronouncements of judgment against Babylon the Great and the triumphant declaration of God's victory. The imagery of a wedding is a recurring motif in biblical literature, often used to represent covenantal relationships, particularly the relationship between God and His people. In the Old Testament, Israel is frequently portrayed as God's unfaithful bride, while the New Testament shifts the focus to the Church as the pure and faithful bride of Christ.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Fulfillment: The verse marks the culmination of God's promises and the realization of His salvific purposes.
• Union of Christ and the Church: The "wedding of the Lamb" symbolizes the intimate and unbreakable bond between Jesus Christ and His followers.
• Celebration and Worship: The call to rejoice and give glory highlights the profound joy and adoration that accompany this event.
• Readiness of the Bride: The Church's preparation signifies her sanctification and spiritual maturity, achieved through Christ's atoning work and the believer's response of faith.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers today, Revelation 19:7 serves as a powerful reminder of the ultimate hope and destiny that awaits them. It calls for a life of active anticipation, marked by faithfulness, purity, and unwavering devotion to Christ. The concept of the bride making herself ready encourages believers to continually examine their lives, seeking to live in a manner that honors God and reflects the holiness of their heavenly Bridegroom. It also instills a sense of urgency in sharing the gospel, as the wedding day is a certainty, and all are invited to participate.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

The "wedding of the Lamb" is the ultimate fulfillment of the covenantal relationship initiated in the Old Testament. The marriage feast of the Lamb is the eschatological culmination of the covenant God made with His people, a theme foreshadowed in the marriage supper of the patriarchs and the prophetic declarations of a future union. It echoes the creation narrative where humanity was created for fellowship with God, a fellowship that was broken by sin but is now being perfectly restored and consummated through Christ.

Analogies

• A Royal Wedding: Imagine a grand royal wedding where the bride has spent years preparing, meticulously ensuring every detail is perfect for her union with the prince. This mirrors the Church's preparation for her marriage to Christ, a preparation that is both divinely wrought and personally embraced.
• A Homecoming: The wedding can be seen as a homecoming, where the faithful bride is finally brought into the presence of her beloved to live with him eternally, signifying the end of separation and the beginning of unending fellowship.
• A Completed Masterpiece: Just as an artist meticulously works on a masterpiece, adding the final touches to bring it to perfection, so too is the Church being perfected by Christ for this glorious union.

Relation to Other Verses

• Ephesians 5:25-27: This passage explicitly likens Christ's love for the Church to a husband's love for his wife, stating, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." This directly supports the "bride" imagery and the concept of her readiness.
• John 3:29: John the Baptist describes himself as a friend of the bridegroom, whose joy is fulfilled when he hears the bridegroom's voice. This illustrates the joy associated with the union and the bridegroom's ultimate claim.
• Matthew 22:1-14 and Luke 14:16-24: The parables of the wedding feast highlight the invitation to the feast and the importance of being prepared to enter. These parables serve as earthly illustrations of the heavenly wedding feast.
• Revelation 21:1-4: This passage describes the New Jerusalem descending from heaven, the dwelling place of God with His people, which can be understood as the consummation of the wedding union.