Matthew 25:1-13

Matthew 25:6 “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.”

THE WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT—THE MIDNIGHT CRY 

“Behold, the bridegroom cometh...”

   The time has come, the moment we have been waiting for is here! JESUS CHRIST IS COMING again and He is coming for His bride!!!

HERE COMES THE GROOM! 

(NOT THE BRIDE)

   The traditional American wedding is unscriptural because all of the emphasis is placed upon the bride. “Here Comes the Bride,” should never be used, especially in a Christian wedding! The groom should make the entrance instead of the bride. The bride should be waiting on the groom to come as the church, which is the bride of Christ, is waiting for Jesus to come. This is described in the great musical cantata of Psalms 45.

THE GROOM IS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD

   John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice… John the Baptist was the friend of the bridegroom who was Jesus. Both the bridegroom and the bride are described in Psalms 45, but it emphasizes Christ. Verse 2 Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever. Verse 7 Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

   These two verses can only describe the characteristics and character of the LORD JESUS CHRIST. Certainly He is fairer than all the other members of the human race. He has loved righteousness and hated sin more than all others. Above all God has anointed Him as the Saviour.

THE BRIDEGROOM IS THE HEAD OF HIS BODY, WHICH IS THE CHURCH.

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as

Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

   The authority is in the head of the church, not in the bride. Believing that the church is the bride of Christ and believing in church authority is contradictory. Yes, the church is His bride but all the authority resides in Christ who is the head of His church. Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. The Bible teaches the authority of Jesus over all things and that includes His church. The authority belongs to Christ alone and all the responsibility belongs to His church.

   Where did Missionary Baptists get their false idea of church authority? They got it from the same place the women’s liberation movement got their idea. They got it from the devil, himself!

THE BEST MAN

John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the  bridegroom which standeth heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

   John the Baptist, the greatest man ever, with the exception of Christ says, THE GREATEST MAN ALIVE, THE GREATEST MAN OF ALL TIME AND ETERNITY IS COMING RIGHT AFTER ME! John the Baptist was the best man. But even he was not a part of the bride.

THE GLORIOUS BRIDE — THE BLOOD BROUGHT CHURCH

II Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

   “Glorious” means highly praised, wonderful, magnificent, and splendid. One Sunday morning as I was getting ready for church I found a nice white dress shirt which looked brand new. I asked my wife, “Where did this shirt come from?” She said, “It was one of your old shirts. It looked bad, so I washed it, starched it, and ironed it.” Just wait until the Lord’s church gets washed, starched, and ironed just before her wedding day. Can you believe that there will finally be a perfect church made out of people like us? Well believe it! But it will be after we have been through the washer and the ringer. Revelation 21:9 ... there came unto me one of the seven angels ... and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. This is when I am moving my church letter to the New Jerusalem Baptist Church!

   The bride is also described in Psalms 45. Verse 9 Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. Her wedding gown will probably be woven of golden thread. The gold of Ophir was the finest and purest. The LORD provides nothing but the very best for His church. Verse 9 ...upon thy right hand refers to the right hand of Jesus. Verse 11 So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. She (the blood brought church) is the greatest desire of Christ. ...the king refers to the KING OF KINGS.

   No bride has ever been so beautiful and well dressed. Verse 13 The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold. She is splendid, wonderful, and magnificent within as well as without. Within is a heart of gold. This royal, sophisticated affair is the wedding of all weddings!

THE COUPLES ENGAGEMENT

II Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with 

godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, 

that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

   It is an engagement which is to last for the entire church age. Jesus promised to return for His bride. John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you.

THE JOURNEY OF THE GROOM

Psalms 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever:

   He rides from the right hand of God to earth for the wedding. HERE COMES THE GROOM!!!!!!! He arrives at midnight. And at midnight there was a cry made Behold, the bridegroom cometh… THE ROYAL RIDER, THE MAJESTIC RIDER IS ALSO THE MIDNIGHT RIDER! Psalms 45:4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; It is a majestic and prosperous ride which fulfills eternal truth. It is the ride of the majestic Saviour to claim His eternal bride. RIDE ON MIDNIGHT RIDER! RIDE ON! RIDE ON! RIDE ON!!! Ephesians 3:21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

THE ARMED MIDNIGHT RIDER

Psalms 45:3 Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty. 4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; whereby the people fall under thee.

   He will not travel in a heavily armed cavalcade as high officials do, but He will travel in His own strength. As I was traveling Highway 285 between Roswell and Artesia, New Mexico I noticed some men stop, get out of a van, and look under a bridge. I also saw police officers at every road connected to the highway. I realized something was happening. Later I heard the highway was completely closed so Dick Cheney, the vice president could have a safe trip to Artesia. You can be sure he traveled in a heavily armed convoy. Jesus didn’t need anything like this for He was able to defend Himself. Not even the demons in the skies dared to harm the LORD of war! For He had already defeated them. Colossians 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

   Absolutely nothing or no one will hinder the MIDNIGHT RIDER on His way through the sky on His great white stead as He rides to His wedding! RIDE ON MIDNIGHT RIDER! RIDE ON AND CLAIM YOUR BRIDE FOR THE WEDDING OF THE AGES!

THE PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might  sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Making her doctrinally sound) 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle,or any such thing;but that it should be holy and without blemish. Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife Hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints

  Is she to be clothed with the linen of her own righteousness? Can you believe this? A PURE CHURCH! A PERFECT CHURCH? My dream will finally come true.

THE PLACE OF THE WEDDING

THE WEDDING IS TO BE IN THE KING’S IVORY PALACE!

Psalms 45:15 With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the king’s palace.

Psalms 45:8 All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.

THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB

Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice,and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

   This has to be the one coming event of the ages that God, God the Son, the angels of heaven, and all the saved of the ages have been looking forward to. This will be the greatest and most royal affair of all the ages.

THE MARRIAGE SUPPER

Revelation 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. This will no doubt be the greatest feast of all time! Forget your caviar and feast on the delicacies of heaven.

   I’m already listening for the words I once heard as a boy, “Come home, it’s supper time!”

THE GUESTS — THE REDEEMED OF THE AGES

Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.

   Psalms 45:17 I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever. The attendees will forever remember this grand occasion and talk about it.

   Psalms 45:12 And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour. Dignitaries of the time ages will be there with outstanding gifts.

   Psalms 45:14 She shall be brought unto the king in raiment of needlework: the virgins her companions that follow her shall be brought unto thee. All her closest friends will be there.

   Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all God’s people will be there along with an innumerable company of angels.

   Zechariah 8:22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, Nothing can be compared to this congregation of saints, angels, and the great nations of the world. Does this not also include the USA?

    Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels. 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. In this rich passage two assemblies are referred to. It refers to an assembly within an assembly! When we have our school reunion everyone in my graduating class sits together. So we have an assembly within an assembly of the rest of the other ex-students. In this great meeting in the new heavenly Jerusalem there is the general assembly which includes the saved of the ages, which is the entire family of God. Within this “general assembly” there is the “church of the firstborn” which is the bride of Christ, who is the firstborn of every creature. Those in the general assembly are the guests at the wedding of the “church of the firstborn.”

   The word assembly and the word church are translated from two different Greek words. Oh, the accuracy of the King James Bible. The Greek word that is translated assembly is “paneguris” (πανήγυρις) which literally means “a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games.” This word is never used in the Bible to refer to a New Testament church. (Strong’s) This could refer to a ball game or any general gathering of people. As the King James says, it is a general assembly. The word church is translated from the Greek word, “ekklesia” (έκκλησία) which is used in the Bible to refer to a local New Testament church. “Ekklesia” was “an assembly” of the people convened at the public place of the council for the purpose of deliberating.” ‘Ekklesia’ is a narrower word, also an assembly, but including only those specially called together out of a larger multitude, for the transaction of business.”

   Thus the “...church of the firstborn...” is assembled within the family of God which is “...the general assembly...” Apparently the “...church of the firstborn...” has a church roll. “...which are written in heaven…” Here the word “written” (apograph in the Greek language) means to enter in a register or records, to enter in public records, the names of men to enroll. When the church roll is called up yonder I’ll be there. That’s when my church letter will be moved to the New Jerusalem BAPTIST Church. Or is my name already on the church roll in heaven?

THE PLACE OF THE HONEYMOON—“BEULAH LAND”

   Isaiah 62:1 ¶For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. 2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. 3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. 4 Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall Thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.

THEIR RELATIONSHIP — THE BRIDE IS THE BODY OF CHRIST

   Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

   Ephesians 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

   The church was taken out of His side on Calvary as Eve was taken out of Adam’s side. We are members of his body which means church members are in the bride. All the saved are in the family of God, but the groom never marries the whole family. He only marries the bride which he takes out of the family. He marries His church! Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

THEIR ETERNAL ABODE (THE NEW JERUSALEM)

Revelation 21:1-22:6

CONCLUSION:

ARE YOU READY AS THE FIVE WISE VIRGINS WERE OR ARE YOU LIKE THE FIVE FOOLISH VIRGINS WHO WERE UNPREPARED FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE BRIDEGROOM?

Is your lamp burning bright? Do you have plenty of oil?

Are you a faithful member of a true New Testament church?

OH! THE SOUND OF THE MIDNIGHT CRY!

“Behold, the bridegroom cometh”

I Thessalonians 5:2

For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

OH,THE BELOVED THIEF!

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”