July 10th

Revelation 5, 21

There is a reason that all the best stories end with a bride and groom living happily ever after: it is the one true story in the universe. At the end, Jesus Christ will fulfill his vows to his church, “All that I am, I give to you, and all that I have I share with you.” The glorious fullness of God will be ours forever, and we will find unending delight in our husband. This was his great purpose from the beginning of all things. Edwards writes, 

The creation of the world seems to have been especially for this end, that the eternal Son of God might obtain a spouse, towards whom he might fully exercise the infinite benevolence of his nature, and to whom he might, as it were, open and pour forth all that immense fountain of condescension, love and grace that was in his heart, and that in this way God might be glorified. ¹

The final mention of the Lamb in the book of Revelation comes in chapter 21 when John is invited by an angel, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb” (v. 9). He is carried away by the Spirit to “a great, high mountain,” where he sees “the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel” (vv. 10–11). The Lamb on the throne has been married to the bride he purchased with his blood. Their new and heavenly marital city-home is indelibly inscribed with the names of his people (v. 14), the reward of his suffering. His work is finished, the union is complete, and his glorified bride is his forever. This had been his heart’s desire from the beginning (Song 2:10; Hos. 2:20). This was surely “the joy that was set before him,” which enabled him to endure the cross (Heb. 12:2). 

Yes, the culmination of history is the glory of God. Not glory taken but glory given.The whole creation suffused with his light, his creatures filled and made happy in his goodness, his bride drenched eternally in his love. We, the redeemed, can only sing,

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, 
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might 
and honor and glory and blessing! (Rev. 5:12) 

To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb 
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever! (Rev. 5:13)

1. Jonathan Edwards, The Works of Jonathan Edwards, vol. 25,