Weddings in Israel are exciting events. Because of the promise God made to Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars, most Jewish weddings take place at night in an outdoor venue so the bride and groom can look up above their wedding canopy and see the stars as a reminder of God’s promises. After the ceremony the grand festivities begin, including a full dinner, lively dancing and congratulating the bride and groom until the wee hours of the morning. It is not uncommon for weddings to last until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning. And as the hours grow later, and the exhausted guests begin trickling away, only the most stalwart friends will remain to keep the newlywed couple happy until the end.
We, as believers, are also awaiting that day when our Bridegroom will come and take us to His wedding feast. He has called us to be watching and ready for His return. Even though the day seems to be waning and times are growing darker, it is good to be reminded now and then to,
“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them. And if he should come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.” (Luke 12:35-38)
The second watch of the night would be from 9:00 PM to midnight; the third watch was from midnight to 3:00 AM. It seems like the times are getting very late and many are growing weary. The evil of this world seems to be growing darker and darker. But God’s promises still pierce through the darkness like stars in the sky, reminding us that He is faithful and that we should always be looking for His appearing. What a blessing it will be when our Master comes to catch His bride away! Even at such a late hour and after a long and exhausting day, the Master will gird Himself and serve us, His faithful servants, a banquet of unequaled splendor. What a lively celebration that will be!
Our Master is coming SOON!!! Are you watching or are you dozing off? It is getting late and darkness is spreading over the world, but that means we are closer than ever to His return. Be vigilant! Keep your eyes open and your ears tuned to the sound of His coming so you will be ready to open the door to welcome Him at His trumpet call. For He comes with great blessings for those He finds faithful until the end.