Part X8 - The Bridegroom
The Bridegroom
I stand as one who knows that tremendous things are being offered to me, things that defy understanding. I cannot come near to comprehending the glory of these things. John walked in greater closeness to Jesus than any of the other disciples. He remained focused on the surpassing greatness of Jesus, as is revealed in his gospel. He never forgot that love was the foundation upon which his relationship to Christ Jesus was built, as is evidenced in his epistles. Yet this man, who was so close to Jesus while He walked this Earth, fell prostrated as a dead man when he beheld Jesus in His heavenly glory.
12 And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands;
13 and in the middle of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His breast with a golden girdle.
14 And His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire;
15 and His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been caused to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters.
16 And in His right hand He held seven stars; and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength.
17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last,
18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.Revelation 1:12-18
What an awesome revelation of Jesus Christ John had. It was not coincidental that it was John, the beloved disciple, to whom this revelation was granted. John epitomizes those who make up the Bride of Christ. Those saints whose hearts are bound to Jesus will see Him as no others will. Yet, even great love did not prepare John for an unveiled look at his beloved Lord.
How it must have stirred John to think that this awesome Son of God was the same Jesus who allowed him to lay his head on His breast. What tremendous favor was his. How exhilarating to think that this same radiant and glorious God still desired intimacy with John and with all those He had chosen from out of the world. John, the disciple who looked at Christ through eyes of love and adoration, was given further glimpses of the Savior he loved. He describes Him for us.
6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth.
7 And He came, and He took [the book] out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
8 And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
9 And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.
10 "And Thou hast made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."Revelation 5:6-14And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
12 And His eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; and He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself.
13 And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; and His name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses.
15 And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."Revelation 19:11-16
John saw Jesus in His glory, the same glory that was His from before the foundation of the Earth. How much more Jesus must have been increased in John’s sight when he considered that He had freely laid aside this glory in order to redeem fallen man (Php 2:7). This Glorious One clothed Himself in humility to ransom those who were His enemies (Romans 5:10).
We have been ransomed, but we have not been left at the place of salvation. A promise yet remains to us. A promise of betrothal. A promise of unity. A promise of eternally standing with the One who purchased us with His own blood. Our Bridegroom asks for our devotion, our love. Competing affections must be overcome. Our Bridegroom gave all to purchase for Himself a Bride. He asks that the Bride give all for Him. Jesus did not merely tell those who would follow Him that they must love Him, He went so far as to specify the degree to which they must love Him.
37 And He said to him,"’ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
38 "This is the great and foremost commandment.Matthew 22:37-38[emphasis added]
Those who are the Bride agree that this is not only reasonable, it is desirable. There are no other gods before Christ in their lives. As David, they have invited God to inspect their lives and to correct all that needs amending.
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.Psalms 139:23-24
It was revealed to John that much sorrow and tribulation would precede Christ’s final triumphant return. However, his heart was gripped with the glory of union with Christ. His words are the words of one who has seen the Bridegroom. And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come."Revelation 22:17 Let there be no delay.