THE MARRIAGE SUPPER                	Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  7-16-00 A.M.    		Revelation 19:5-9     
	Boy... we just had a wedding recently... and the wedding supper and reception was really 
neat.  But.. compared to the traditional wedding suppers of Bible days... well what can I say!
And then... there is one "wedding supper" coming.. you just can't imagine the magnitude, the 
beauty, the excitement... But first notice the OT relationship of believers to Jehovah... 
I.  JEHOVAH to ISRAEL...  HIS WIFE 
  A. She Was Chosen by Him..  Is.41:8,9; 43:20; 44:1,2; 54:5-8; etc. 
    1. As a babe cast away..  Ezek.16:3-15 
	- God rescued her, nurtured her, "spread His skirt over her" 
	- God cast her away.. she had "prostituted" herself. Hos.2; 3:1-5 
  B. She Will Be Restored By Him.. 
    1. He will "woo" her back to Himself!  Hos.14:1; Joel 3:1; Amos 9:9-15; Zeph.3:14-17 
	- "Preached" to during Daniel's 70th week (144,000; Two Witnesses; Angel with everlasting gospel) 
	- "Protected".. "woman" hid for 1260 days..  Rev.12 
    2. He will restore her.. 
	- To Himself.. when they look on Him whom they pierced.. Zech.12:10; Ezek.16:60
	- To Her Land.. (the cry today is "peace, peace".. Baruk & Arafat) 
	      Her temple.., Land..  Ezek.39; 47; 48 3. He will "turn back her captivity"..  Zeph.3:20 
II.  JESUS to THE CHURCH...  HIS BRIDE 
  A. The Church Will Be "Built" by Jesus..  Mt.16:18 (On The ROCK..) 
    1. It is made up of all who have trusted Christ during this age of grace.. from Pentecost to
       the Rapture. 
  B. The Church Is "Espoused" To Jesus.. 2Cor.11:2 
    1. Jesus is The Bridegroom!  Rev.19:7 (Lamb); Jn.1:29; 3:29 
    2. Jesus will come for His "betrothed"... but it is uncertain when! 
  C. The Church Is "Making Herself Ready" For The "Wedding"! Rev.19:7,8 
    1. There is the Righteousness of Justification.. Ro.5:1 (by Faith) 
	- "Self-righteousness" will never work!! 
    2. There is the Righteousnesses of Sanctification.. our life. 
	- The obedience to God.. and work for God.. Eph.2:8-10; 5:26; Titus 3:8 
  D. The Church Will Be Received By Jesus..  Jn.14:1-3 
    1. Taken to "Father's House".. typical marriage customs of the day! 
  E. The Church Will Be Purified and Rewarded by Jesus..  1Cor.3:10-15; Eph.5:26
    1. All "dross" will be burned away.. 
  F. The Church Will Be Presented To Jesus.. Eph.5:27 
    1. A Glorious Church... (a beautiful bride!).. gorgeous, honorable 
	- No spots.. No wrinkles.. No blemish.. (or any such thing) 
	- No defects.. disgrace.. or blame.. faultless!! 
    2. A Holy Church 
  G. The Church "Betrothed" Will Become The Bride of Jesus.. (in heaven) 
    1. The Bride & Groom.. never "invited".. they are it! 
	- The Church is the Bride.. The saints from this age of grace! 
    2. The "Guests" are invited.. present.. Rev.19:9 
	- John the Baptist said he was a "friend"  Jn.3:29 
	- All the resurrected saints of the ages... 
	   - OT saints.. from Adam to the Day of Pentecost ?
	   - Tribulation saints.. both Jew and Gentile 
	- They are "blessed".. but not in the position as the Bride. 
	- They will have special privileges in the Kingdom that the Church (Bride of Christ)
        will not have! 

THESE ARE TRUE WORDS of GOD.  HAVE YOU BELIEVED THEM.. AND HIS SON? 
	IF SO... WHAT A WONDERFUL EVENT AWAITS YOU!!! 
	IF NOT.. WHY NOT "MAKE" YOURSELF READY TODAY !!!!!!! 
    THE WEDDING GARMENT IS OFFERED... WILL YOU ACCEPT IT NOW & PUT IT ON!. 
	BEHOLD.. THE BRIDEGROOM COMETH... ARE YOU READY??