These verses describe the great rejoicing that will occur in heaven when the marriage of the Lamb takes place. Jesus is referred to as a Lamb because of his previous sacrifice. When he came to be baptized, John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). The personal sacrifice of Jesus is the foundation of God’s plan to bless the world.
In this passage, the bride is granted to be “arrayed in fine linen,” which is “the righteousness of saints.” This identifies the group that comprises the bride class. It is made up of Christians who have been faithful to God during the past age. The difference for these faithful ones will be that they will then stand on their own righteousness. The bride will be perfect and complete. In her previous experience, she was imperfect and required the righteousness of Christ to cover her sins (See Romans 3:24,25).
One of the wonderful purposes of this marriage will be to bring life and blessings to the world in God’s kingdom. This is shown in the following chapter of Revelation. “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6). The bride will be raised to heavenly glory in the first resurrection. She will receive immortality in heaven. But, along with Jesus, her role will be to reign over the earth in the second resurrection.
The Apostle Paul described these two resurrections in Acts 24:15. He said, “There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” The first group, “the just,” is the resurrection of the bride. The second group, “the unjust,” is the remainder of mankind raised to earth in God’s kingdom. The 1,000-year kingdom will be set aside for the world’s education in truth and righteousness. Acts 3:21 describes that kingdom as, “the times of restitution of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets.”
For faithful Christians, the prospect of being united and married to the Lord is thrilling. For the world, the prospect of God’s kingdom is inspiring.
