The most astonishing feature of the next age: we will be “married” to the Lamb (Rev. 19:6-9; 21:2, 9-27; 22:17). Our greatest blessing will be joining to God in Christ. “In the story of redemption and the history of heaven the supreme event for which the ages are waiting is the marriage of the Lamb. The Bible is one long love story and redemption a divine romance of the love of God.” (1) We will be the wife of the Lamb.
The bride of the Lamb comes down out of heaven as the New Jerusalem (the city of the saints of God) “having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel” (21:11). Our wedding day will finally arrive and having been clothed in staggering beauty our loving Bridegroom will take us into his heart and ravish us in loving embrace forever. Being Christformed, deep will call to deep and form a complete, eternal spiritual bond with God. As in a human marriage this union does not dissolve either spouse; instead, we will be one in love in the Spirit.
Filled with his Spirit our spirits will become one as we absorb the boundless treasure of his nature. 1 Corinthians 6:17 affirms: “he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him” (ESV). Thus, our spiritual marriage will consummate on our great wedding day, and we will embark on our new married life, growing in Christ and true humanness forever. It is the beginning of a new history of humanity.
Below is a meditation on this theme.
Absorb Scripture. Read the words of the angel in Revelation 21:9: “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” (ESV). In place of the words “the Bride” insert your name. What does this mean for you? Absorb the meaning. How do you picture this reality? Picture Jesus telling you that you are a member of his Bridal congregation.
Feelings and Emotions Reflection. Ask yourself: What feelings or emotions (for example, peace, joy, gratefulness, doubt, fear, pain, resistance), if any, did I experience during or after absorbing this passage, including the images? Why was I feeling this way? What desires do I feel?
Truth Commitment. Invite God to reveal your heart then ask yourself: Is there anything about the truth of being the Bride of Christ that I haven’t fully embraced so that it encourages me and gives me joy? If so, ask yourself: Why haven’t I been fully embracing this truth and how can I do so? What God-given desires does this reality fulfill? Have I been trying to fill those desires in unhealthy ways?
Virtue and Action Commitment. Invite God to reveal your heart then ask yourself: To what extent am I living as the Bride of Christ? What are the life implications for being the Bride of Christ?
Reception (Contemplation.) Ask God to show you anything that you have not fully embraced as well as anything else he desires to show you. Sit with God with a quiet and open heart for at least 60 seconds.
As you embrace being the Bride of Christ, what happens in your soul?
(1) A. B. Simpson, Heaven Opened: Expositions of the Book of Revelation (New York: Christian Alliance Publishing, 1899), 203.
