In the divine perspective, marriage extends far beyond the wedding day, focusing on a lifelong journey of harmony and sacrificial love as a reflection of God's covenant with His people. The betrothed is called to embody purity, morality, and faithfulness in preparation for this sacred union. The imagery of the church as the bride of Christ underscores profound spiritual truths, highlighting that the bride is chosen for a divine purpose and must prepare for the future wedding day with Him. This preparation mirrors the cleansing and sanctifying love of Christ, who gave Himself to make the bride worthy of Him. The relationship between Christ and the church serves as a model for earthly marriage, emphasizing that love is not merely theoretical or romantic but deeply practical, demonstrated through actions and unwavering commitment. Husbands are urged to love their wives as Christ loved the church, giving Himself for Her, showing that true love involves sacrifice and a continuous effort to sanctify and cherish. This sacrificial love sets the bride apart, making her unique and dedicated, just as Christ has separated the church for Himself, preparing Her for eternal glory with Him.

Marriage, as presented by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 5, is a profound reflection of the union between Christ and His church. From the beginning of creation, God designed marriage to mirror Christ's forthcoming relationship with the church as His body. Paul emphasizes that the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, and He is the Savior of the body. This divine pattern establishes God's ideal for all marriages across time, illustrating the sacred bond between the bride of Christ, which is the church, and Christ Himself, the Son of God. In preparing for marriage, Paul underscores the importance of submission as a guiding principle. Wives are instructed to submit to their own husbands as to the Lord, reflecting the general call for all believers to submit to one another in the fear of Christ. This submission is not merely a cultural expectation but a spiritual act of service to God and Christ. Husbands, in turn, are called to love their wives, nourishing and cherishing them as they would themselves, mirroring the care Christ shows for His church. This mutual submission and love prepare both partners to live out their marriage as a testimony to the divine relationship between Christ and His bride. Paul's teachings reveal that a true understanding of marriage can only be achieved through the doctrine of Christ and the church. Without clarity on this spiritual connection, the purpose and depth of marriage remain obscured. For Christians, marriage is not a mere human arrangement but an ordinance established by God, meant to be lived in submission to Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. This perspective elevates marriage to a sacred level, fostering joy and a desire to please God through the relationship.

God's called and chosen people are being prepared, under Christ's direction, to become His perfect and faithful helpmate for eternity. Revelation 19:1-8 teaches that the Bride "has made herself ready" through humble, cooperative participation in Christ's ongoing work of spiritual refinement. The speaker draws a parallel of the Church's preparation with Moses' training under God's holiness, maintaining that believers today must also make decisions in harmony with God's will. We could describe the Feast as both a time of joy as well as a spiritual boot camp, set apart for rejoicing, renewal, and intensive preparation for divine service. President Ronald Reagan's 1993 address at the Citadel provides a powerful allegory for followers of Christ to exercise readiness and character formation. The self-sacrifice of Arland D. Williams Jr, giving his life to save others, affirms that godly character is forged through countless, small, faithful choices made long before great tests arise. Reagan's later letter announcing his Alzheimer's diagnosis similarly serves as a lesson in humility, courage, and selfless concern for others, qualities essential for the Bride of Christ. Our forebears on the Sinai broke their sacred covenant with Almighty God, but the Israel of God, His called-out church, are admonished to stay steadfast and worthy. Passages from Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Corinthians, and Revelation reveal Almighty God's eternal purpose: to form a perfected people "in His image," joined with Christ as one. In his article, "Preparing the Bride," John Ritenbaugh declared that the Church's calling is not to worldly achievement, but to spiritual preparation through steadfast faith, growth in godly character, and unity with Christ. God's people are admonished to "hold fast," rejoicing in their calling, using the Feast to

In the context of the church's purpose and the spiritual preparation required for the return of Jesus Christ, the concept of the Bride of Christ emerges as a central focus. The church, as a spiritual organism, is tasked with preparing itself for this divine union, emphasizing personal growth and readiness. The Bride must make herself ready, ensuring that every member has a sufficient supply of spiritual resources for this preparation. This involves a deep commitment to overcoming personal challenges and growing toward spiritual perfection through the teachings and words of Christ, which are spirit and life. The current work of the church is primarily directed toward converted individuals, providing detailed guidance on Christian living principles to refine and mature them for this ultimate purpose. The emphasis is on holding fast to truth and being spiritually vigilant, as the return of Christ draws near, ensuring that the church fulfills its role in this sacred relationship.

The days immediately before the return of Jesus Christ will not be an appropriate time for preparation for physical weddings. At that solemn hour, nothing should take our valuable time and minds off our preparation for the most important wedding ever: the marriage of the Lamb to His Bride, the church. When the time of the marriage of Jesus Christ to His Bride arrives, it will be the time for the resumption of gladness and rejoicing, shared with God the Father, His Son, and all the angelic host of heaven, exceeding anything we have ever experienced. Christ's Bride will have made herself ready for the wedding, not allowing anything to sidetrack her from her preparation for this most wonderful occasion. At this ceremony, the Bride will be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, which is symbolic of the righteous acts of the saints, far more beautiful and meaningful than any physical wedding gown. Blessed are those called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, a supreme blessing of eternity. The Bride of Christ, collectively made up of the resurrected and changed members of God's true church from throughout the generations, will be there. If we wish to be included in this most wonderful of weddings as part of the Bride of Christ, we must be diligently preparing for it right now, not allowing satan to divert us from our preparation. We must spend as much time as possible with our glorious Fiancé every single day, even more as we see the wedding day approaching.