Christ will come in power to receive his bride.

We, as Christians, are waiting for Jesus to come back, to take us all home. His Triumphant Return! That has such an auspicious ring to it. As Joel 2:1 and 11 says, “Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; it is near, For the day of the Lord is great and very awesome; who can endure it?” And how about Matthew 24:30-31: “Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

God in His full glory coming to earth: Judgment Day. Sounds quite terrifying- even for us Christians. God’s power always and appropriately strikes fear in the hearts of all mankind. While this is very much true, I need to remember something else from the Bible. Then the picture changes.

God has given us the depiction of a bridegroom and bride to represent Jesus Christ and His church. Song of Solomon is full of the passionate love they have for each other. Many times the Bible references the excitement and joy a bridegroom has when he leaves his chamber to go get his bride and bring her to his home. That picture – of an eager bridegroom – crosses all cultures and time. We can envision what his face might look like- helplessly grinning; the deep love for his bride quickening his step. How he doesn’t really see anyone else but her. We get it. Do we see that this is the picture God also wants us to have when His Son comes to get us to be with Him forever?

Jesus’ Return will be glorious- full of power and might and thunder and glory and trembling. But it will also be driven by a bridegroom whose face is full of love and fervor and excitement to get His bride – you and me – and bring us home.

Copyright Christine Joy

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Christine Joy is Midwest raised with a Colorado heart. Her four children have recently emptied the nest and her husband says they are “back where they started”. She is continuing her love of Bible Study while exploring her interest in writing.