Revelation 19

Revelation chapter 19 is the first - and only place - that "Hallelujah" is found in the New Testament. Four times, in fact, within six verses. As all of heaven cries out in adoration and worship of God, "Hallelujah".

In Revelation. 19:6-7, John writes, 

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

But it's not simply the worship of "Hallelujah" that brings me excitment as I read Revelation 19 and it's not just the knowledge that all of heaven unites in this cry of celebration. What brings the most joy to my heart is the occasion of this great heavenly praise. 

John continues in Revelation 19:7-8, 

For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.

This is the wedding day of Jesus Christ, the day when The Church is united with Christ in heaven for all of eternity. 

This passage speaks of the bride (The Church) being made ready. Furthermore, we read of The Church is given fine, perfectly clean, linen to wear for this wedding day. 

Many brides spend weeks, months - even years - to choose their wedding dress. I've even heard of shows devoted to saying "yes to the dress". So I know that choosing the perfect wedding dress is highly important to the bride. Yet this verse states that the perfect wedding gown will be presented to us on the day that we are united with Christ. 

And still, it's not that simple. 

You see, the final portion of verse 8 tells us more. Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.

Let's read Revelation19:6-8 in the English Standard version. Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out,

“Hallelujah!

For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

Did you catch that last phrase? The wedding gown that we are "granted to wear" on the great wedding day - when we - The Church - are united with Christwill be our own "righteous deeds". 

As The Church we are called to be prepared for the day we are united with Christ. Likewise, it is through our righteous deeds that our wedding gown is being prepared as a perfect and spotless robe. 

So Church, let us prepare. Prepare The Way. 

On This Spot

Almost 14 years ago, October 2, 2001, the most beautiful girl in the world - Kim Conder - passed by me on this spot. She stole my heart and she's had it ever since.

Also with her was Anna Baldwin.

Today is an extra special day. It's always a special day when Kim Conder lets me hang around her. But today is an extra special day because today Anna Baldwin is getting married. 

Pray Together

This weekend I have the honor of officiating a good friend's wedding (whether she considers me a good friend or simply a friend by association, it doesn't much matter). And in a couple of weeks I have the blessing of officiating my brither's wedding. 

As I prepare for the wedding ceremony and reflect on marriage, my thoughts went back to a statistic reported by Cheryl Sacks in her book "Prayer-Saturated Kids".

A 1993 Gallup poll revealed that among married couples who attend church together regularly, the divorce rate is one out of two. That’s the same statistic as for marriages outside the church. However, among married couples who pray together daily, the divorce rate is one out of 1,153.

As a Pastor, of course I believe Prayer works and that it draws us closer to Christ, who helps build our marriages around His will and His way. Likewise, as a husband, I have seen that prayer brings my wife and I together. We communicate better and resolve conflict quicker when our shared prayer life is strong. 

Sacks writes, Prayer builds unity and intimacy. We become intimate to whom we pray, for whom we pray, and with whom we pray.

Randy Willis adds that this statistic highlights that couples who pray together are intentional (praying together requires intentionality). And couples who are intentional about praying together are likely to be intentional in other areas of their relationship as well. 

So, whether you are soon-to-be married, you are early in your marriage, or you have been married for a long time, let me encourage you to be intentional in your prayer life with your spouse. Begin today!