The Greatest Marriage: Christ and His Bride in Revelation 19

Joel Beeke graciously unfolds the triumphant vision of Revelation 19:6–9, calling us to behold “the greatest wedding ever”—the utopian marriage between Christ the Lamb and His Bride. With Puritan fervor he guides us through four glorious realities: the heavenly wedding feast itself, the Lamb’s self-emptying love poured out on Calvary, the Bride’s sanctified readiness clothed in spotless righteousness, and the multitude of guests—every believer—made one in perfect love.

Scripture Reading

“And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude… saying,
‘Hallelujah! For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him;
for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white.…
Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.’”

Introduction

On this Good Friday, as we reflect on Christ’s atoning death and anticipate His resurrection, we turn our hearts to “the utopian marriage between Jesus Christ and His bride.” We long not merely to know Christ, but to feast with Him eternally around His throne, never tearing our gaze away from Him who is altogether lovely .

1. The Feast Proclaimed

John’s vision bursts forth with heavenly praise:

“Let us be glad, and rejoice, and give honor to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come…” .

This is no ordinary wedding banquet but the eternal Supper of the Lamb, to which all true saints are called and at which “their smoke shall ascend forever and ever.”

2. The Lamb’s Self-Emptying Love

Why call Christ a Lamb at His own marriage? Because He first appears as the sacrificial Lamb—spotless, yet “poured out His soul even to death, even to the cry of dereliction on Good Friday.” Never has a bridegroom humbled Himself so completely or loved with such outflowing grace .

3. The Bride’s Righteous Garment

“…to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.”

That garment is not homemade piety but Christ’s own righteousness imputed to us. By His passive obedience in death and active obedience in perfect law-keeping, He clothes us in spotless holiness, preparing us to stand before the Father without spot or wrinkle.

4. Every Believer as Bride

The multitude around the throne are not spectators but participants: “these are the true saints of God.” No empty seats, no onlookers—every member of the triumphant church rejoices as one Bride, united in perfect love to the Lamb .

Invitation & Response

Utopian marriage, utopian heaven: “My friend, you are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Will you accept His invitation? Will you surrender your life to Jesus Christ, the Sin-bearer and Bridegroom?”

Closing Prayer
Gracious Father, grant that we who have tasted the earnest of this feast may live in continual holiness and eager anticipation until that great day when we shall behold our Bridegroom face to face. Amen.