Page 75 - Eschatology - Masters revised

16. The Jewish wedding customs teach us that the church is waiting to be surprised at the rapture by
Jesus Christ.

John 14:1–6 (NIV84)1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my
Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to
prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to
be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me.

John 14:1-6 matches the Jewish wedding customs whereby the groom surprises his bride to take her to
his newly finished house to consummate the marriage. Only the father could pronounce the house
finished. Therefore, the church is waiting to be surprised by being snatched away by Jesus Christ. If the
rapture does not occur before the Tribulation begins, the church will no longer be surprised because
other events will be happening to warn the church.

Jewish Marriage Customs

Throughout the Scriptures, God uses the marriage bond to illustrate the relationship that God has with
His people who believe. An examination of how God designed the marriage process brings light to when
He will come.

There are three distinct parts to the ancient Jewish wedding:
1. Shiddukhim (a mutual commitment)
2. Erusin (the betrothal or engagement)
3. Nissuin (the consummation of the marriage) xxix

1. The Mutual Commitment – a type of receiving Christ and baptism
In ancient times, marriage was looked upon as more of an alliance for reasons of survival or practicality,
and the concept of romantic love remained a secondary issue, if considered at all. Romantic love grew
over time.

Of course, the consent of the bride-to-be is an important consideration. Rebecca (Rivkah), for example,
was asked if she agreed to go back with Abraham’s servant to marry Abraham’s son, Isaac. She went
willingly (Genesis 24:57–59).

Likewise, we cannot be forced into a relationship with the Son, Yeshua (Jesus).

In the same way that Rebecca was asked if she would go with Abraham’s servant, the Holy Spirit (Ruach
HaKodesh) asks us if we are willing to follow Him to be joined in a covenant of love with Yeshua.

Traditionally, in preparation for the betrothal ceremony, the bride (kallah) and groom (chatan) are
separately immersed in water in a ritual called the mikvah, which is symbolic of spiritual cleansing.

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