Dec 27 Nehemiah 7:4-73, Nehemiah 8 – Revelation 18:17-24, Revelation 19:1-10 – Psalm 148:1-6

Neh 8:3

And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

When we think of the watergate incident, the first thing that comes to mind is corruption and Nixon.

But the real Water Gate incident happens here. It’s not about corruption, but the most amazing repentance and reveal that happened to Israel.

They heard the law and they wept. It’s all they could do. So convicted were they. This was a revival of God’s people. They read the word all morning together – it was explained as they listened and the people were transformed. What an occasion this was.

After all the rebellion and exile and the struggles to rebuild… Israel came back to God.

What a moment. How far away form Him they’d been… and they then listen to the word, the weep and they bow.

No matter how far you’ve gone, no matter how bad it’s become. You are not beyond the reach of God. He’s calling you back.

As we reach the close of the year, I’d like to speak to those who’ve wandered. You may feel like you are very far away from God today. That distance might seem insurmountable. But it’s not too far for God.

He’s waiting for you. He’s ready to run to you. He’s asking for you to turn round. Head back to Him. Weep, Bow, Repent. And He will run to you with open arms.

You’ve not gone too far. It’s time for the exile to be over.

Rev 19:7-9

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”- for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

We have moved past the trauma and we are now stepping into the promise. Every story is written with the end in mind. Every film, play, book you read it written so that all the events can lead to the conclusion. There may be trials along the road, but the end is the whole point of the journey.

It’s no less true of the story of mankind. 

This is where it’s all leading – the wedding feast, where we, the church as the bride of Christ becomes part of His eternal kingdom.

We can understand this a little better if we can learn a bit about Jewish wedding customs at the time of Jesus.

The wedding had 3 major parts. First a contract was signed between the parents of both parties. That’s when the betrothal begins. That’s the time of praise – the engagement.

The second part is when the bridegroom comes for his bride. It was some time after, usually a year. The bride would know he was coming, but not the exact time, so she and her entourage would wait and be ready.

The third phase is the wedding feast. This could go on for days and was a time of celebration that cemented the marriage.

The contract was signed with the church on the cross… and for us individually when we put our faith in Jesus.

The time of waiting is now… it’s the time of the betrothal. The wait isn’t always easy, but we know He’s coming.

But the wedding feast is coming. Jesus said at the last supper that He’d not drink the fruit of the vine again until He did so with us in the Father’s Kingdom. That’s at this feast.

Blessed are those who are invited. That’s us! And just so you can be sure it ends with this, “These are the true words of God!”

Hold the line. Stand fast. Stay faithful. Don’t give in. It’s worth it.