DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE INVITATION

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE INVITATION

"Then a voice came from the throne saying, 'Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!' And I heard as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, 'Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His wife has made herself ready.' And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the linen is the righteous acts of the saints." Then he said to me, 'Write: 'Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!' And he said to me, 'These are the true sayings of God.' " (Revelation 19:5-9)

It is always a joy to receive a wedding invitation. God has given us an invitation to a great marriage supper for His Son and His bride.

As in most weddings, the Bride has adorned herself and is wearing a bright and clean wedding gown to signify her purity. She has made herself ready by her righteous acts. This does not mean that she is has been chosen by her bridegroom because of her righteous deeds, but by her righteous acts, she has adorned herself in preparation for this momentous occasion.

The marriage supper will be beyond imagination. There will be a gigantic heavenly choir providing the music of praise to the Bridegroom. All of heaven will be rejoicing. What a glorious day of celebration that will be.

I have officiated for a good number of weddings. Most of the time, I have been happy to see the bride walk down the aisle in her beautiful white wedding gown signifying her purity to meet her love at the altar.

But not always. I remember the wedding I performed in which I knew that the bride was pregnant. She came to the wedding in a white wedding dress which in my eyes signified her purity, but I knew she was not a virgin. As I stood before the congregation, I said to myself and to the Lord, "Never again will I perform a wedding under these circumstances." Thus, I got out of the marriage business.

I am reminded of the parable Jesus told of a king who threw a feast in honor of his son's marriage (Matthew 22). He sent out invitations to the wedding. Many declined to come. But, there was one man who came to the wedding who did not have the proper wedding garments on and he was cast out. The only clothing that is appropriate for the Lamb's wedding are garments that God provides – fine linen, clean and bright – clothed with Christ's righteousness. We may try to come with own righteousness, but the only acceptable clothing is the righteousness which is of God by faith (Philippians 3:9).

We read this invitation in Revelation 22:21: "And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come.' And let him who hears say, 'Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.' " As they would say in the South, "Y'all come!"

Love, Dad