It was a very interesting study this morning, comparing God’s marriage to Israel and subsequent divorce to the current climate of divorce that we face in our culture. There are many in our class that carry deep hurts of abandonment, unfaithfulness, and rejection. Even though God hates divorce, He is currently divorced from His wife – Israel. It is amazing to see that God has not pursued another to take her place, and that His divine plan will be to restore the remnant / elect in the Tribulation. Israel’s blindness (Romans 11:25-27) will be removed at the event of the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15-21). Many will flee to the wilderness, and be cared for by God for the last half of the tribulation, known as the great tribulation (Revelation 12). Her repentance and restoration is revealed in her obedience to flee.
The Church / Bride of Christ will be snatched away in the harpazo / rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-18 & 1 Corinthians 15:50-54) to be sequestered at the judgment seat of Christ or reward judgment where He will prepare us for the wedding (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). The marriage supper of the Lamb takes place in heaven in the last days of the Tribulation (Revelation 19:7-8, Ephesians 5:20-33). The Bride of Christ has made herself ready! Christ is the bridegroom!
Revelation 19:9 speaks of the wedding guests — those who are called to the wedding feast. Here is a simple list of the guests:
Concubines: Old Testament saints from Adam to Moses. They have a physical relationship with the householder (God), but receive no inheritance. They receive the benefits of the kingdom without the responsibility. (Song of Solomon 6:8)
Friends: Old Testament saints from Moses to John the Baptist. (John 3:25-30; Luke 16:16)
Guests: Gentile saints of the Tribulation who die – under the altar. Matthew 22; Revelation 6:9-11
Virgins: Jewish saints of the Tribulation who die – under the altar. Matthew 25; Psalm 45; Song of Solomon 2,3,6; Revelation 6:9-11
The Choir: the 144,000 sealed missionaries who are slain near the end of the Tribulation. Revelation 7 & 14:1-5
I look forward to next Sunday, already, as we will study 1 Corinthians 7:12-18! We will seek to understand the issue of unequally yoked together.