First of all, the male readers may think this a bit strange, but I personally am waiting for my “Bridegroom” to come and take me Home. My wife says the same thing, and I’m not the least bit jealous. In fact, I would love to share Him with everyone on this earth. He did something I could never do, and that was to provide a way I could “appear Holy” in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. (ESV – all emphasis mine)
Hebrews 10:4; “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Going to Hebrews 9:22, “Indeed, under the law, almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.”
Because of sin entering the world in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), all humans have inherited the impure blood of a sinner that has been passed down to us through all of history. Prior to Calvary, animal sacrifices had to be made regularly and in very specific ways for God to overlook sin. However, as Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God”; and our sins will continue as long as we are in these mortal, fallible human bodies. Romans 6:23 sets the groundwork for total forgiveness; “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, Our Lord.”
We’re told of the main reason that God will accept only the sacrifice of His Son as total reparation for our sins, as given in 1 Peter 1:18-19; “knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers; not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”
Paul states in Ephesians 1:7, “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.” In 1 John 1:7, we’re told, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
Romans 5:9; “Since therefore we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God.”
Revelation 5:9-10; “And they sang a new song saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and by Your blood, You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation; and You have made them a kingdom of priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.'”
There is a day coming soon when all that have received and accepted Jesus’ precious gift of Salvation will be just as “brides-to-be” were under ancient Jewish wedding customs. As the time drew near, the brides would get more and more prepared for the bridegroom to call at any time. It’s said the most common time would be around the midnight hour, and the groom’s arrival would be announced by a trumpet blast and a shout.
When we read 1 Thessalonians 4:16, we see this “tradition” as the manner that we will be “taken up” or Raptured to be with the Lord. “For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the Trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.” Please note, this says the “Trumpet of God,” not a Judgment trumpet.
Only those, male and female, who have become “betrothed” to Jesus Our Savior, will hear the shout and trumpet just as we’re being “taken up” to meet Him in the air to be with Him forevermore. It will be over in a fraction of time (1 Corinthians 15:52), and all who refused the Savior’s “marriage offer” will be left behind.
Jesus’ flock will be spared from the coming wrath just as God promised in Romans 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, and Revelation 3:10. Those who remain here will have chosen to do so by rejecting Jesus as their bridegroom, the Spotless Lamb that was slain for the sins of the world. Our Savior was the only human to have lived a perfect, sinless life, which qualified Him to be the only pure sin-sacrifice that the Father could ever accept. All who belong to Jesus will have their sins removed as far as east from west (Psalm 103:12), not because of our being Holy, but because of the Holy Most Righteous Blood that was shed by God’s only Son.
One more issue; anyone who believes they can in any way earn or buy their way to Salvation, that person will be guilty of insulting what Jesus gave us at Calvary. As one song line says, “Jesus paid it all; all to Him I owe.”
I was sent the words to a song by Johanna Meyer (1851-1921) that has a very special call to all believers. It’s called “The Bridegroom Comes.” I have not been able to find this version on YouTube, but the words are inspirational.
1.) The Bridegroom comes! Remember His word! Watch ye redeemed, watch with hearts bestirred, in every moment as you have heard; watch, for the Lord comes soon!
Ref) Joyfully, in readiness we stand; watching, praying, waiting thy command, till we shall see then Thy glory grand, and meet with Thee hand in hand!
2.) The Bridegroom comes! Who e’er stops to think will seek his heart with Jesus to link, and not in earthly evils to sink; watch for the Lord comes soon!
3.) The Bridegroom comes! O bride do you hear? Lift up to Heaven both eye and ear. With heart and mind to Him now draw near; watch for the Lord comes soon!
4.) The Bridegroom comes! And who, as a friend, to Him is faithful, true to the end, shall to His glorious kingdom ascend; watch for the Lord comes soon!
5.) The Bridegroom comes to take Home His bride, who here on earth for Him did decide, and for His coming earnestly sighed; watch for the Lord comes soon!
The line in verse 5 is where I and many others are right now; “and for His coming earnestly sighed.” We’re watching, waiting, listening, and praying for His soon arrival. Those who do not have Jesus as their Savior are missing out on a marvelous eternity.
To become “betrothed” to the Savior, it’s as simple as ABC. Romans 10:9-13 gives the steps. Admit (confess) that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, as everyone on earth is. Believe Jesus made the perfect sacrifice at Calvary and that God raised Him back to life as our conqueror of sin and death. Call on Jesus to be your Savior, and you will be saved.
He’s the only way to Heaven (John 14:6), and without Jesus, there is no pathway to the Father (John 3:18; 1 John 5:12). We don’t know the day or hour, but it is rapidly approaching. For the first time in the history of this world, all the signs are present to see the end of this age. The next major event on the end-time clock is the Rapture, and Jesus told us to be looking up, for His arrival is near (Luke 21:28).
Do not reject the free gift of eternal life with our Savior. Call on Him today, right now, and you will be ready whenever He comes as our Bridegroom to call us to be Home with Him forever. Hope to see you at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).
Maranatha!