Revelation 19: 7-10
Immediately after all the Hallelujahs for the judgment of modern Babylon, Heaven is rejoicing at the marriage feast of the Lamb.
(7) "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."
(8) It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
I'm not sure what heavenly "fine linen" is, but it must be gorgeous! This word has also been translated as "stone" when angels are dressed in it.
(9) Then he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'"
Who are invited to this marriage feast? The Old Testament saints? The angels in Heaven? We're not told who they are, but they will be truly blessed in witnessing this union of the Lord God with His bride.
The church must be Raptured to wed her Bridegroom and be one with Him. And this must take place before He breaks through the clouds of Earth and sets up His Kingdom. I don't know how God will manage this, but I know He has it all in hand. I know He has manipulated time on Earth at least twice for His people.
And he said to me, "These are true words of God."
Why this angel needed to emphasize these particular words as true words of God, He may be putting great importance on the necessity of this marriage to take place before we will be prepared to rule with Him on His throne.
(10) Then I fell at his feet to worship him.
Even John, in his old age, after loving Jesus and serving Him faithfully his whole, long life, succumbed to bowing down to this angel.
But he said to me, "Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God.
And the angel reminded John that this celestial being is one of the servants God sent to John and the other saints who are still living in our flesh bodies. And to bow down and worship only God.
For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."
This is a curious saying. To have the testimony of what Jesus has done and accomplished on behalf of each of us, is prophetic! The Spirit of Prophecy is God's Holy Spirit who is able to live in each of us because the blood of Jesus has cleansed us. And this Spirit is the Seal and Down Payment on the Redemption Jesus bought for us. So when we have the testimony of Jesus, then the spirit of prophecy assures us of everything that certainly lies ahead.
The very next verse has our King coming through the opened sky.
O my Father, thank You for Your greatness and Your goodness. Thank You for loving us and saving us and making us fit to be Your Son's bride, to marry Him and be one with Him as He is one with You. And to rule with Him in His throne as He rules with You in Your throne, over everything that exists.
Please, Father, help us to go to all the world, broadcasting Your Good News to every living being, so that they all will understand and be able to make a clear decision to choose to turn to You for Redemption, or else to be seduced by the lies of the deceiver.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!
