Jewish Wedding Mirrors Jesus and the Church

 Jesus spoke often about the Bridegroom and the Bride. To fully understand the Lord's relationship to His Church we must look into the Jewish wedding customs. The sacrificial love, separation, and triumphant return for His Bride will be much better understood when we know how Jesus' words were describing what the future will be for us the Church.

  

Choosing the Bride, and paying the dowery and price for her

In Genesis 24 we see a type of this when Abraham (representing the Father), sends his unnamed servant (representing the Holy Ghost), to the land of his people (the world), to find a Bride for his son, Isaac, which is Rebekah (representing the Church). She is perfect and willing and returns to Isaac. 

The servant bestows many gifts to her, which is what the Holy Spirit does for us who are baptized in Him.

Eph 5: 25  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

As written in the Gospels, Jesus paid the dowery for the Church with His own life on the cross. 

The Covenant of Marriage with Wine

The Bride and Groom would drink a cup of wine together to seal the marriage covenant. This is the kiddush cup; 2 cups, one for the covenant, one for the blessings.

Jesus' first miracle recorded in scripture is making water into wine for a wedding in Cana. Wine was an important element in the celebration. The wedding would go on for a week and when they ran out, Jesus made 6 ceremonial water pots of stone into fine wine and the urging of His mother, Mary, John 2.

This was about 180 gallons of water turned into wine. The governor of the feast was impressed with the quality of the wine.

This miracle has more that one meaning. The first was to have enough wine for the wedding feast. The second was that the old covenant of ceremonial water to cleanse was replaced by the new Covenant which was Jesus' own Blood, represented by wine.

At the last supper, Jesus explained to his Apostles that the cup that was Elijah's cup, was actually the cup of the New Covenant representing His Blood. Also the bread was His Body given for them, and the world. This is our Communion; the remembrance of His Body and Blood and the Covenant of marriage with Him and the Church. This was revealed to Paul in 1 Cor 11:23-

In each of the synoptic Gospels Jesus said He would not drink again of the fruit of the vine until he drank it with them (and us) in the Kingdom of God. 

The glasses used at the wedding were then wrapped in a cloth and stomped on by the Groom and Bride and broken.

This custom represents several things:

Remembrance of the destruction of the Temple, and that joy is never whole while there is suffering in the world.  

That life is fragile, and as glass is broken, so can things be in your life. To keep your Covenant it takes constant care, attention, commitment, and love to keep it intact.

As the glasses cannot be easily reconstructed, so marriage is permanent. Once it is broken you cannot go back to being single.

Spiritual meanings refer back to the breaking of the sapphire 10 commandment tablets or Luchot. It means the old way is gone and all things are new. 

The guests then shout Mazel tov or good luck. 

The ceremony takes place under a canopy or chuppah, which is a fabric or tallit. 

 It symbolized a new physical and spiritual home that the couple will build in their marriage. 

In the Song of Solomon, the Shulamite states that his banner over me is love; the sheltering presence of God being over the marriage. 

It is open on all sides, as the tent of Abraham and Sarah which was open to hospitality to guests with kindness and generosity. 

 

The 4 poles often held by others are support for the couple by the community. 

Because the chuppah has no walls and only a roof it reminds the couple that they need courage, honesty, and trust to survive and build a life together exposed to the world. 

Preparing the Bridal Chamber

The groom would then leave the brides home and return to his father's house to construct the Bridal Chamber. He would be gone for some time. When asked how long, the answer would be, " No one knows the day or the hour, only my Father."

When Jesus knew He was going to ascend to His Father, He told the Apostles;

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know, Jn 14:1-4

The Waiting Period

During this time, the bride would purify herself in waiting to be ready for her groom to come and get her.

We have seen that Eph 5:27 that we are prepared by washing of the water of the word to be without spot or wrinkle. Jesus' Blood has cleansed us from all sin, and His Spirit in us leads us in the paths we should walk. 

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish. They that [were] foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, [Not so]; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh, Mat 25:1-13.

These words of Jesus give us warning to always expect His coming. Keep your lamp oil (Holy Spirit) full and let Him guide your life during this period. Some think that this may also refer to the Jews during the Tribulation, for these are not called the bride, but bridesmaids. 

Even so, Jesus also said:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity, Mt 7: 21-23.

It is very important for those who are saved to follow God, not try to use His gifts for gain or selfish desires. Jesus loves you and delights in blessing you, but we are His servants. We are to have a relationship with Him.

The Midnight Return and Abduction

When the father of the bride tells the groom after he inspects the Bridal Chamber and tells his son to go get his bride, there is a group of the groomsmen who come to the bride usually late at night,  with  pomp and shouting and blowing shofars and carrying torches. They get the bride and take her to the father's house and the head groomsman puts the couple in the Bridal Chamber and awaits the announcement that the marriage is consummated. 

When that announcement is made, there is the Wedding Feast that lasts for 7 days. Joy abounds for all.

This relates to so much of what Jesus said as to what will happen. 

When Jesus is told by His Father to go get His Bride, the Rapture happens. 

But I would not have you to be ignorant brethren concerning them which are asleep that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words, 1 Thess 4:13-18.

 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory? The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law. But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord, 1 Cor 15:51-58.

(2 Timothy 1:8-10) "Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;  {9} Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,  {10} But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:"

So, all Christians will be Raptured up to Jesus in the air. The dead first then in an instant, the living will be changed to an immortal without death to join them in the air. 

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Then we will be in the marriage supper of Jesus, the Lamb of God. This is a glorious feast that will last for 7 years, Rev 19,

The earth will be in Tribulation during this time but, God will have Angels preaching the Gospel, with 2 great prophets in Jerusalem, and 144,000 Jewish evangelists spreading the Gospel to save those left on the earth as told in Revelation. 

Paul tells us that all Israel will be saved, Rm 11:26.

Jesus talked about seating at a wedding:

(Luke 14:7-11) "¶ And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,  {8} When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;  {9} And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.  {10} But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.  {11} For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

There are no favorites here, but all who are Christians can enter.

Jesus also spoke how to enter, you have to have a wedding garment:

(Matthew 22:11-14) "¶ And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:  {12} And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.  {13} Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.  {14} For many are called, but few are chosen."

The beauty and respect that the groom and bride have for each other is wonderfully shown in the Song of Songs by Solomon. 

After the Wedding Feast, the Saints will come back to earth with Jesus and take the world by force. Jesus will then set up His Kingdom over the earth for 1000 years. This is the last cycle of the 7000 years since Adam, and the time of man, Rev 19.

Satan will be bound in prison (the abyss) during this time. The immortals will rule with Jesus and there will actually be peace and harmony on the earth. This is the millennium and Jerusalem will be the headquarters of Jesus, Rev 20. This is the Sabbath rest for the earth. Men will live as the life of a tree, Isa 65.

At the end of the 1000 years, Satan will be loosed from his prison and tempt the people of the earth to attack Jerusalem and Jesus. But, the fire of God will come down from heaven and consume them. This fire only destroys evil and purifies the earth. 

After this, is the Great White Throne judgment were all people who are not saved are judged from the time of Adam till then. Those who are not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. Christians and those in the Old Covenant that believed and followed Messiah are judged by the Bema judgment, a special judgement that does not include sin because Jesus died for our sins. This judgment is about what they did with their Salvation, and there will be rewards. All of those in the Bema judgment make it and live with the Lord forever. Their names were written in the Lamb's book of life, Rev 20, 1 Cor 3. 

I know this seems to not follow the Jewish wedding, but it will, you will see. People think that God is cruel for sending people to hell, which really is the lake of fire. It was made for Satan and the rebellious angels. People have a choice to follow God or not. God forces no one to follow Him, and all have free will.

The Bride and Eternity in the New Jerusalem

In Revelation 21-22 we see the conclusion of the matter of men, and the beginning of eternity with God living with men. 

(Revelation 21:1-6) "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.  {2} And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  {3} And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.  {4} And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  {5} And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.  {6} And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely."

The New Jerusalem is called "the bride" and comes down to earth, flying here from Heaven. 

This is the Bridal Chamber and the mansions Jesus spoke of for His Bride to live in. (AI helped me to make these pictures from the descriptions in Revelation of the New Jerusalem. Also the things that the LORD revealed to me about it.)

Now that the earth is purified the dwelling of God implants itself in the earth. 

Statistics:

The dimensions of the city are 4 square 1500 x 1500 x 1500 miles. However it is placed in the Middle East with Jerusalem at the center. Because of its enormous size, New Jerusalem will be 600 mi into the earth with walls extending 900 mi high. When scripture states a "new heaven and new earth and no more sea" it does not mean that the earth was destroyed, just renewed by the fire of God. No more sea is what John knew, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea are pushed back 750 miles all directions from Jerusalem. The earth has to have oceans for people and all life to survive. 

The new Heavens is the extended atmosphere which will be increased to 1000 miles or 100 miles above the walls. 

There are 12 gates each made from one pearl, 3 on each side of the walls. Each gate has the name of a Tribe of Israel and an Angel guards each gate. 

 

The foundations are 12, named after the 12 Apostles, with precious stones adorning each level. They resemble an inverted square pyramid, each horizontal for 50 miles from the walls, then vertical for 50 miles. On the horizontal surfaces are every type of vegetation and eco systems. At the base is the Royal Courtyard which is 300 x 300 miles or 90,000 square miles. At the center is the Palace of God where God and Jesus live. It is hard to imagine, but here is a cut away.

The whole city has its own eco system that waters all the plants and forests and waterfalls coming down the steps to the courtyard where it pools in the lake and rivers of life that come forth from the thrones of the Father and Son. There is no need of the sun here for the light of the Father and Son light the city. The sun is still there but, not needed inside. 

Note: Do not ask me how the city can go 600 mi into the earth. I know that is past the crust and mantle and down where scientist believe there is hydrated rock with more water than the oceans. This is what the LORD revealed to me. I do not know how at the time of Adam it did not rain. Or, how that atmosphere collapsed at the flood and caused our oceans to be the size they are. I do not know how the atmosphere will be 1000 mi high at the end of the millennium either. God does, He makes it happen. I find that science has a hard time understanding God, the Creator. But, He is, and made everything, and I believe Him.

The outside 900 mi walls look like jasper with a clear coating. The inside walls look like translucent gold. Each gate has a road that meanders through the forests made of gold. The trees of life are along the rivers of life that start and end at the courtyard of God's Palace. 

The walls contain the dwellings of immortals. They are 246' square, which is over an acre. There are 128,00 per level, 95,040 levels, for a total of 12,165,120,000 dwellings. 

I am not quite sure where the myriads of Angels are housed, there is a lot of dwellings, and there is a huge courtyard. There is the Palace, stadiums, Throne Room, assembly hall, and many outbuilding there, all translucent gold.

The people of the earth will come before God during Passover and Tabernacles to present themselves. If they do not come, it will not rain in their part of the earth, Zec 14. While the people are there they can eat of the tress of life that produce fruit every month and live forever, which was God's original plan. They can take of the leaves of the trees so if they get hurt, they can be healed. 

This is eternity for us with our Bridegroom, Jesus. Immortals will never age, never die, and will be servants of Jesus forever. Mortals will continue to multiply and will inhabit the universe. But, the headquarters for God is here on earth in the New Jerusalem.

Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this, Isaiah 9:7

If today you do not know the Lord of the universe, that is Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life; I urge you to ask Him into your life. Change your mind about live and go to the source, tell Him your sorry and want Him as your Lord. 

All scriptures are from the AKJV. Pictures are from the Internet and special drawings of NJ by AI, no offence intended.