TEXT: Revelation 19:6-9
INTRO: We know from studying Scripture that one of the analogies given to describe the relationship of Jesus Christ to His church is that of a bride and groom, with Jesus portrayed as the coming groom and the church as his expectant bride. This theme/idea is repeated in several places, particularly in the N. Testament.
There is for the believer the anticipation that one day in an event described as the “rapture” of the church, Jesus Christ (the bridegroom) will return for the church (His bride). In that moment, according to I Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “…the dead in Christ shall rise first and then we which are alive and remain will 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.”
This great event (“the rapture”) will be followed at some point by the event we just read about in Revelation 19, called “The Wedding Supper of the Lamb.” It’s an “Invitation Only” event – but you’ve all received an invitation! “Whosoever will may come.” Unfortunately, many who have received the invitation will not be in attendance. That’s right. The wedding is quickly approaching, the arrangements are all being made, the guest list is almost finalized and the bridegroom is coming soon.
PROPOSITION: Many people who consider themselves part of the “Bride of Christ” are not ready for Jesus, the Bridegroom, to come.
INTERROGATIVE SENTENCE: How do I know that a lot of people are going to miss God’s great “Wedding Reception” in heaven?
Allow me to serve as your “wedding host” this morning. I’ve prepared a brief “checklist” to help the prospective bride prepare for her wedding day. Here are THREE ESSENTIAL ITEMS that you must pay attention to if you’re going to be ready. THESE THREE THINGS WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF GOD’S ETERNAL WEDDING PARTY IN HEAVEN.
I. TURNING DOWN THE PROPOSAL. Revelation 22:17 – “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”
Illustr. – I like it when a guy makes one of those bold public marriage proposals. In the middle of a crowded restaurant (guy down on one knee popping the question, producing the ring, girl breaks down crying…), at half time of a big game, on Oprah in front of a national television audience. One guy took his girl up in a hot air balloon and had written in a field “Will you marry me?” It was all caught on camera. I would hope a guy is pretty sure of himself when he takes that kind of risk. (Can you imagine getting turned down on national TV? GIRL – “Nah! Not interested!” or “Could I have some time to think about it?”)
Well, those proposals are nothing compared to the way Jesus proposed to you and me. It was a public spectacle. He fell to his knees several times on the way to the place where he proposed. He nailed his love for you and me to the cross, signed his intentions with his own blood, spread his arms out wide and said, “I want you for my own. I want you all! Whosoever will may come.”
“I love you, I love you
That’s what Calvary said;
I love you, I love you
I love you written in red.”
The official proposal reads like this, “For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16.
You can trust me on this: YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE A BETTER OFFER! The world will try to sell you the idea that something better will come along. That you can reject God’s offer and still get in to heaven your own way. That you can submit your own proposal based on good deeds, church attendance, religion, giving to charities…etc. But you can’t buy your way into heaven! Jesus already paid the price. The proposal is on the table. He’s already “popped the question.” What’s your answer?
John 3:35-36 – “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”
The Bridegroom is coming. Are you ready to meet him? PLEASE DON’T TURN DOWN HIS GENEROUS PROPOSAL.
THE SECOND THING THAT WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF GOD’S ETERNAL WEDDING PARTY IS BEING…
II. TARDY FOR THE CEREMONY. Matthew 25:1-13 (READ)
You hear all kinds of crazy stories about people who were late for their own wedding (usually the groom). They got lost trying to find the church, they overslept, they missed their flight…etc. (I wasn’t late, but I forgot my black socks!) These girls we just read about missed the “ultimate” wedding banquet because they PROCRASTINATED. They were like so many people in the world who think they will have “plenty of time” to get things right with God when they’re ready. So they keep putting off mailing in their invitation. They keep asking for an extended RSVP date.
I won’t ask how many of you have been late with your response to one of those little RSVP cards that come in the mail! “Oh, I need to call so-in-so and let them know we’ll be coming to the wedding reception. Yeah, this is Pam and we just wanted to let you know we’ll be coming to the reception for your daughter’s wedding. What’s that? The wedding was last weekend? Oh my goodness, would you look at that! You’re right! I’m so embarrassed!”
Acts 24:24-25 – (Paul summoned by Governor Felix) – “He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, ‘That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.’”
Famous last words! “When it’s convenient for me, I’ll accept Jesus. When I’m done living, I’ll turn in my RSVP. When I get an extra free moment, I’ll run over to Wal-Mart and get a couple of extra bottles of oil for my lamp.” But suddenly, without any warning comes the car crash, the heart attack, the hunting accident, the overdose. Hell is filled with many a person pleading for “just one more chance.” (Phrase most often hear in hell, “If only…”) But the door has been closed, the chance for the RSVP is over. You missed your golden opportunity.
“Today is the day of salvation.” You can’t sign the guest book if you’re late for this wedding! Listen! I think I hear them practicing “The Wedding March” in heaven! PLEASE DON’T BE TARDY FOR THE CEREMONY. PLEASE SAY “YES” TO JESUS’ PROPOSAL.
THERE’S ONE LAST THING THAT WILL KEEP YOU OUT OF GOD’S ETERNAL WEDDING PARTY.
III. TWO-TIMING THE “GROOM.” II Corinthians 11:2 – “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion for Christ.”
Here’s a thought that ought to scare some of you to death: Jesus Christ, the Savior of your eternal soul. The one who suffered and bled and died for you. The one you pledged your life to serve. The Holy Son of the Living God could come for His Bride at any moment and many of you are off living on “Temptation Island!” You made Jesus the Lord of your life. You said he “was the only one for you.” You said you’d serve him forever. That you’d have “no other gods before him.” And yet, you’ve been caught on camera with other lovers!
You’ve been flirting with lust. Fooling around with compromise. “Sleeping with the enemy.” Courting other lovers behind His back. The Wedding date is closer than ever and you’re always out “two-timing” Jesus. Sin might get you a “first date” with Jesus, but once you accepted His proposal, you agreed to keep yourself pure until the wedding! You can’t dance with the devil and expect to marry the King! You can’t just put on a white dress like Madonna did recently and buy yourself a royal wedding with a Holy God when you’re living a life of sin.
Ephesians 5:25-27 – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.”
The only way you and I can stand spotless before the Bridegroom some day is if we have been washed by the sinless blood of the Lamb and dressed in His righteousness! He’s got to cover your “filthy rags” with robes of righteousness. Some Christians act like their wedding clothes were treated with “Scotch Guard!” They said they loved Jesus but they keep rolling around in the bed with sin pretending like they’re not getting any stains on them. The stain of your sin was removed at great cost! How dare you mock the one who made such a holy proposal to you! Don’t try to sew yourself a holy “cover up.” Jesus is coming for a holy bride. If the wedding were today at 1:00 PM, would you be ready?
INVITATION:
PLEASE DON’T TURN DOWN HIS GENEROUS PROPOSAL.
PLEASE DON’T BE TARDY FOR THE CEREMONY.
PLEASE STOP “TWO-TIMING” THE GROOM!
CONCLUSION: Illustr. – Story of the great nobleman’s beautiful daughter to the “deformed man.”
