All Doves:
In this phase of "The Biblical Theme of The Bride" we are going to be looking at somewhat of a surprise in the entire process. This time we will be looking at the Slaughter at the Marriage Super of the Lamb.
It may seem strange that the Lord Christ Jesus is smiting with a sword after His marriage week with His Bride at the Marriage Supper. It really, really seems strange. If the return of the Lord Christ Jesus is as a Wedding (as it is so frequently depicted) then where is there an example for a Groom going forth and exiting the Wedding Chamber with the Bride, and slaughtering one's enemies? It just didn't seem to make sense with this part. This question seemed to be perplexing, not just for me, but for many Christians. Then it dawned on me. There is an Old Testament story describing a similar thing. Sampson's wedding; which was right at the end of his "seven" day Bridal Week. The following Scriptures offer us a parallel.
Revelation 19:14 - "And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."
Revelation 19:15 - "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."
Revelation 19:16 - "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS."
Revelation 19:17 - "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;"
Revelation 19:18 - "That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great."
Revelation 19:19 - "And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army."
Revelation 19:20 - "And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshiped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone."
Revelation 19:21 - "And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh."
Judges 14:1 - "And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines."
Judges 14:2 - "And he came up, and told his father and his mother, and said, I have seen a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines: now therefore get her for me to wife."
Judges 14:3 - "Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised. Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well."
Judges 14:4 - "But his father and his mother knew not that it was of the LORD, that he sought an occasion against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel."
Judges 14:5 - "Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him."
Judges 14:6 - "And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have a rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or mother what he had done."
Judges 14:7 - "And he went down, and talked with the woman, and she pleased Samson well."
Judges 14:8 - "And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion."
Judges 14:9 - "And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating, and came to his father and mother, and he gave them, and they did eat: but he told not them that he had taken the honey out of the carcass of the lion."
Judges 14:10 - "So his father went down unto the woman: and Samson made there a feast; for so used the young men to do."
Judges 14:11 - "And it came to pass, when they saw him, that they brought thirty companions to be with him."
Judges 14:12 - "And Samson said unto them, I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments:"
Judges 14:13 - "But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. And they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it."
Judges 14:14 - "And he said unto them, Out of the eater came forth meat, and out of the strong came forth sweetness. And they could not in three days expound the riddle."
Judges 14:15 - "And it cam to pass on the seventh day, that they said unto Samson's wife, Entice thy husband, that he may declare unto us the riddle, lest we burn thee and thy father's house with fire: have ye called us to take that we have? is it not so?
Judges 14:16 - "And Samson's wife wept before him, and said, Thou dost but hate me, and lovest me not: thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of my people, and hast not told it me. And he said unto her, Behold I have not told it my father nor my mother, and shall I tell it thee?"
Judges 14:17 - "And she wept before him the seven days, while their feast lasted: and it came to pass on the seventh day, that he told her, because she lay sore upon him: and she old the riddle to the children of her people."
Judges 14:18 - "And the men of the city said unto him on the seventh day before the sun went down, What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion? And he said unto them, If ye had not plowed with my heifer, ye had not found out my riddle."
Judges 14:19 - "And the Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he went down to Ashkelon, and slew thirty men of them, and took their spoil, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle. And his anger was kindled, and he sent up to his father's house."
Judges 14:20 - "But Samson's wife was given to his companion, whom he had used as his friend."
In the next segment in "The Biblical Theme of The Bride" we will look at the parallels of the Bride and Groom were seen as King and Queen.
God Bless,
Pastor Bob