“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper clear as crystal. “
Revelation 21:9-10

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Imagine this: John is invited to take a closer look at the Holy City, “the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

Elsewhere in the New Testament, the Church itself—you and I—are described as the bride of Christ. Just a few pages earlier, John wrote:

“Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and his bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear.”
Revelation 19:6b-8a

Perhaps one way to put these similar metaphors together is to imagine God’s resurrected people in God’s new-creation city, prepared and ready to live with God in joyful, embodied community. Together we will live in a place where God’s glory shines with striking brilliance that will illuminate the new Jerusalem like an exquisite shining jewel.

Consider what being a bride entails—and what this metaphor may hold for us. A bride is selected from among all others. She is honored as the one and only. It is her hand asked for in marriage. She is celebrated at the wedding. The guests stand when she arrives, and all eyes gaze upon her, beautifully adorned for the occasion.

The humility of our Lord in this analogy is amazing. In this new Jerusalem we are granted the incredible privilege of being eagerly anticipated, honored and celebrated—all so we can live in community with Him, like a newly married couple beginning life together.

But analogy of a bride and husband cannot do justice to the depth of love Jesus the Lamb has for the people of God. Their communion will call forth worship of such intensity that we cannot fathom it on earth. We will desire nothing else but to enjoy God and give Him glory forever.

Questions for reflection and discussion:

  • When have you seen the glory of God revealed by His people living in community?
  • How does the image of God’s people as the bride of Christ model His love for you?
  • When have you experienced joy in worship of our Lord?

Church Reading Plan: Isaiah 23; 1 John 1