Here Comes the Bride

Today I read Isaiah 58:12-62:6 and 2 Thessalonians 1:5-2:13. My favorite verses are:

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

2 Thessalonians 1:12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What a glorious picture of the wedding and marriage of Christ and His church! The bride must first be clothed with the garments of salvation—a gift from the Bridegroom. Then she is covered with the robe of righteousness—His righteousness making her beautiful. The ornaments and jewels are added as we grow in service to one another. The Bridegroom making us holy—set apart to belong only to Him. The bride keeping herself pure, separated from former sinful behavior, dedicated to the Bridegroom, doing only those things which are pleasing to Him. He is glorified in us and we are glorified in Him as we fulfill vows to love and honor each other within the marriage. And all of this is made possible by the grace of God and his Son Jesus. The bride does not pay for the wedding because the Bridegroom has already paid the price in full by giving Himself to die for us so that we can live forever with Him in glory. If you long to be part of this wedding picture, ask the Bridegroom to give you the gift of salvation so that you can be clothed in the wedding garment!