Covid-19 has resulted in many cancelations, and even threatened the wedding plans for a New York couple. They were hoping that the Canadian border would reopen in time for their wedding, but had to come up with a new plan when crossings remained banned. In order for the bride’s parents and 96-year-old grandmother to attend, the wedding was held at the border. A border patrol agent and friend arranged for the wedding to be held at the Jamieson Line Border Crossing uninterrupted. The couple had to agree that all in attendance would stay on their side of the border and no objects be passed across the border.
“Words from Above” tell us in the Bible that one day there will be a marriage across the border into heaven, where the Bride of Christ will be married to the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. In Revelation 19, the apostle John records a vision in which he heard the voices of many people in heaven saying, Alleluia, salvation, and glory, and honor, and power to the Lord our God.” In this vision he saw the 24 elders and the four beasts fall down and worship God as He sat on His throne. He also heard what he called the voices of a great multitude, many waters, and mighty thunders, saying that the marriage of the Lamb was about to occur, and His wife had made herself ready. The bride of Christ, the Church, was clothed in fine linen, clean and white, with the fine linen representing the righteousness of the saints.
One day all those who have confessed their sins and have had their sins forgiven through the shedding of the blood of Jesus on the Cross, will be invited to sit down at the marriage supper of the Lamb. In Matthew 8:11, Jesus said, “Many shall come from the east and west, and sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.” In the days of Jesus living on the earth, marriage contracts were signed by the parents of the bride and the bridegroom, and a dowry would be paid to the bride or her parents. On behalf of the bride of Christ, Jesus paid a price for our salvation which was the price of His blood.
One year after the signing of the contract, the bridegroom and male friends went in a torchlight parade to the home of the bride at midnight. The bride and her maidens knew of the parade in advance and joined the parade to the home of the bridegroom, where the marriage supper might continue for several days. Like the bride, we need to be ready.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
