The second coming of Jesus Christ is the most anticipated event in human history. In Revelation 19 a great multitude in heaven shout “Hallelujah!” in celebration of three things.
1. God’s character. They praise Him for salvation (v.1), for justice (for avenging the blood of the martyrs, v.2), and for finally reigning as King (v.6).
2. The wedding supper of the Lamb. Marriage in Bible times began with the betrothal. The woman to be married was bought with a price, so the groom and the bride’s father first settled on a purchase price. When the price was paid, the couple was legally married, but they didn’t live together or consummate the marriage immediately. The couple were separated for several months during which time the groom prepared a room for his bride in his father’s house and the bride prepared herself for the wedding. Eventually the bridegroom would return for His bride, but they didn’t know the exact day or hour. The groom would take the bride from her home, and the whole bridal party would go to the groom’s father’s house. The invited guests would be there to witness the marriage ceremony, which was followed by the marriage supper, which would often last for a week.
This is a picture of Jesus the GROOM and the Church, His BRIDE. The center of attention is not the bride but the LAMB, Jesus Christ. When we put our faith in Christ and embrace Him as our Lord and Saviour, the legal marriage (or betrothal or engagement) takes place. As the Bride of Christ, we now await the time when He will come and take us to His house. Following the rapture and during the seven years of tribulation on earth, the Bride will be presented in heaven and there will be much celebration.
The Bride will be given “fine linen, bright and clean” to wear” (Rev. 19:8). Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people. These righteous acts or good works are the result of what God is doing in our hearts.
3. Christ’s second coming! In verse 11 we see Jesus riding a WHITE horse. In his first coming, he came in humility, riding a donkey. When Christ comes again, he will be riding a white horse as a conqueror in a triumphal procession. White is the symbol of purity, of unblemished holy power. Jesus will not come alone. He will come with His armies “riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.” If you are a Christ follower, you will be in that army. “We will be dressed in fine linen, white and clean.” That isn’t exactly combat gear. All we do is watch, and when the Lord speaks, the war is over.
What does His return mean for us today? (1) We are loved by Him. (2) We must be ready by staying in love with Jesus. (3) He reigns. When Jesus returns, all will be under His authority.
On D-day, June 6, 1944, an unbelievable price was paid by thousands of young men who died. At the end of D-day, nothing changed outwardly, but the victory was sealed. The battle raged for a season, but V-DAY (victory day) came a while later. It was just a matter of time.
For the Christian Easter Sunday was D-day. It created an opening in this fallen world no bigger than the entrance of an empty tomb. With every spiritual victory that opening gets a little larger and the darkness gets pushed back a little more. One day that battle will be won. JESUS will come again in victory, and HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER!! Hallelujah!