Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!” And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia!” For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:5-9)
It was to be an outdoor summer wedding at Grand Vue Park. Rehearsal- in the warm evening sun- was conducted without a hitch. My, how things can change!
Rain moved in early the next morning and refused to leave. This wasn’t just rain showers; this was torrential downpours that continued to pound the area. Water crossing the roads and a lack of visibility made driving hazardous- nearly impossible at times.
Wedding time quickly approached. The archway that had been built for the outdoors was set up in the reception hall. The wedding party was nearly ready. Last minute guests were filtering in. Well, when it rains it pours- or messes up outdoor weddings!
A phone call launched the proceedings into disarray again. The deejay- along with the wedding music- would be delayed due to an accident on the interstate.
An hour later, everyone was prepared to conduct the wedding minus music. Just as the groomsmen were prepared to escort the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom into the hall, the deejay arrived with all his musical equipment. The wedding was still on!
Did you know there is a wedding scheduled in Heaven? Jesus is the bridegroom and His Church is the bride.
Rain will fall on the soon to be bride. Scripture declares that it rains on the just and the unjust. In fact, at times it will seem the wedding is delayed and the music is silent.
Appearances will not interfere with reality. God has this wedding planned and it will happen. Through the floods of life’s cares and through the fires of persecution His Church will prevail. His people will hear these words, “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
YES, THE WEDDING IS STILL ON!
We must keep in mind that there is something far better than this world offers for those who know and love Jesus. As we live for Him and endeavor to labor for His Kingdom we are preparing for that great wedding day. We are simply laying up treasures in Heaven according to Matthew 6:19-21. However, storms will come.
Everyone- believer or unbeliever- faces storms in this life. We who believe in Him always have His comfort and His presence with us no matter how fierce the storms are. Notice these verses:
Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But he was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” But he said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Matthew 8:23-27)
If the wind is howling, the rain is pouring and the waves are rising- we cannot drown when He is in our boat. Despite the storms of life- the wedding is still on!
In John 16:33, Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Not only do we face storms that are common to our existence- we face persecution also.
In a world full of unbelief, we will suffer for our faith. In Matthew 5:11-12, Jesus said we are blessed when people revile and persecute us. In fact, He said our reward will be great in Heaven. We look past the persecution in anticipation of what is ahead. Look at the words found in II Corinthians 4:17-18:
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Persecution will come, but we have something wonderful that is being prepared for us. Yes, the wedding is still on!
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 
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