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REVELATION 19: 7-9

"THE MARRIAGE FEAST"

I. THE IDEAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GOD AND MAN HAS OFTEN BEEN LIKENED UNTO A MARRIAGE.
        A. In Old Testament God's relationship to Israel as a husband to a wife.
                1. When God said, "Her desire shall be to her husband." He was also expressing
                   His wish for Israel.
                        a. David considered a man after God's heart not because He was after
                           God's love.
                                1. "As the hart panteth after the waterbrooks, so panteth my
                                   soul..."
                                2. "There is none upon earth I desire but Thee."
                2. When Israel turned to worship other Gods. God looked upon it as adultery.
                        a. He grieved as a husband betrayed.
                        b. He sought to woo her back.
        B. The husband-wife figure taken up in New Testament to show the relation of Christ to
           His church.
                1. Paul speaks of his desire to present the church to Corinth as a chaste 
                   virgin to Christ. Espoused to one husband. 
                        a. The church as a bride waiting for the wedding day.
                                1. Beautiful picture from Old Testament when "Eliezer" (My God
                                   is help) "paracletus" is sent by Abraham to get a bride for
                                   Isaac.
                                        a. Eliezer tells of vast wealth of Abraham all given 
                                           to the son.
                                        b. He gave gifts unto Rebekah as a foreshadowing of 
                                           the wealth.
                        b. In Ephesian letter as Paul speaks of husband-wife relationships, he
                           then declares, "I speak concerning Christ and His Church."
                                1. So the church as the bride of Christ espoused to Him awaits
                                   the wedding.

II. THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB IS COME!
        A. "Let us be glad and rejoice."
                1. Present us to the Father as His bride, with exceeding joy.
                2. Oh, the joy of that day when we stand together with Him.
        B. "Let us give honor to Him."

III. BEHOLD THE BRIDE.
        A. Filled with joy and excitement.
        B. Behold her beautiful white gown.
                1. It is of fine linen.
                2. The priests were to wear robes of linen. Why?
                        a. Wool would cause them to perspire, and perspiration speaks of works.
                        b. Salvation is God's work not ours. 
                        c. God wants inspiration.
                3. "The fine linen is the righteousness of the saints."
                        a. "And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is of
                           the law..."

IV. TWO THINGS SAID TO JOHN.
        A. "Blessed" happy are they who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.
        B. These are the true sayings of God.