romance and the wedding of the Lamb

this is sort of like a part 2, to my last post. if you haven't read it, click here.


well, i wrote that post, and then i went to my thursday morning Bible study the next day. of course, i was ready for something along these lines since that's what we've been studying, but no one could have prepared me for the message that our dear teacher, Amy, would present to us. i wish i had some way to link to her, a video of this message, something to introduce you to her... but i don't. what follows is generally, pretty much, Amy's concept and writing (there is a part where i have her exact words, and the rest i'm writing myself, from her original concept) so don't credit me with this! first, she started out by reading psalm 45 from The Message, to introduce the Bride (you and me) and the Groom (Christ Himself):

You're the handsomest of men;   

every word from Your lips is sheer grace, 

 and God has blessed You, blessed You so much. 

Strap your sword to Your side, warrior! 

 Accept praise! Accept due honor! 

 Ride majestically! Ride triumphantly! 

Ride on the side of truth! 

 Ride for the righteous meek! 

 Your instructions are glow-in-the-dark;  

You shoot sharp arrows  

Into enemy hearts; the king's 

 foes lie down in the dust, beaten. 

Your throne is God's throne, 

 ever and always;  

The scepter of Your royal rule 

 measures right living.  

You love the right 

 and hate the wrong. 

And that is why God, Your very own God, 

 poured fragrant oil on Your head,  

Marking You out as king 

 from among Your dear companions. 

 Your ozone-drenched garments 

 are fragrant with mountain breeze.  

Chamber music—from the throne room— 

 make You want to dance.  

Kings' daughters are maids in Your court, 

 the Bride glittering with golden jewelry.

Now listen, daughter, don't miss a word: 

forget your country, put your home behind you.  

Be here—the king is wild for you. 

 Since He's your lord, adore him. 

Wedding gifts pour in from Tyre; 

 rich guests shower you with presents.

 (Her wedding dress is dazzling, 

  lined with gold by the weavers;  

All her dresses and robes 

 are woven with gold.  

She is led to the king,  

followed by her virgin companions.  

A procession of joy and laughter! 

 a grand entrance to the king's palace!) 

as you are imagining, the bride is radiant and beautiful. all eyes are fixed on her as she walks down the aisle to meet her Groom. everyone marvels at her beauty and can't take their eyes off her. she, however, is fixed on the face of her Groom. she hopes that He is pleased with what He sees. after all, she's been preparing for this day for a long time.

her Groom, stunned by her beauty, takes her arm in His. He is captivated by her and wants to make a public declaration of His love and devotion, on this their wedding day.

He has written His own vows, and she hers. He turns to face his bride, pure, holy and precious to Him. these are His vows (as copied word-for-word from Amy. links attached to the first word in each phrase are to the verses that Amy has referenced to write each vow):

My Beloved, I gave myself up for you so that you might be the holy, blameless and radiant bride that you are. You are all that I hoped you would be.

  I demonstrated my love for you by dying for you while you were still a sinner. I never doubted you were worth it.   

I am yours and you are mine. 

No one will ever be able to take you from my hand.

I will never leave you or forsake you.

My love for you will endure forever.

My lovingkindness toward you will be new every morning.

I will give you the strength you need to do all that I ask of you

I will be your confidence and wil keep your foot from slipping.

I will be your refuge and your shield.

I will give you peace as you set your mind on me.

I will renew you inwardly day by day and even as you age, I will make your life fruitful.

I will lead you in all truth.

I will always tell you the truth.

When you draw near to me, I will draw near to you.

Even when you have no faith, I will be faithful.

By my Spirit, your life will shine with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. 

I will take care of you, because you love me.

I will meet all of your needs.

I will fill your heart with joy, because you've trusted me. 

I will feed you and gather you in my arms and carry you close to my heart.

I will comfort you when you are hurting.

I will dry all of your tears.

When you die, I will raise you to eternal life to live with me forever.

I, your maker, am your husband, the Lord Almighty is My name - 

The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer ; I am called the God of all the earth

Now realizing that any vows she has prepared or written for her Groom are nothing in comparison to what He has already done and said, the Bride removes her crown, places it at His feet, bows down and worships Him.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

can your heart even handle it? friends, that is our destiny. that is our wedding day, to the spotless Lamb, the King of Glory, Jesus Christ, our Savior. who can doubt that we are valuable and precious to Him? what circumstance is too difficult that this Truth does not lift us right from it, setting our feet upon a Rock? this life is not the end. there is hope. there is a wedding celebration that awaits you and me, at which we will be united for all eternity with the Prince of Peace, the Holy One, our Maker [and yes! our husband], the Lamb who is worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength, honor and glory and praise. who loves us more than we will ever comprehend. this is the dignity and the royal standing we have because of Him who died for us, Him who loves us, Him who has set us apart for a specific purpose that only we can fulfill. embrace this Truth. remove your crown and place it at His feet, bow down, and worship Him.