Paul, Im not sold on the Kate Middleton white lace dress idea either, (it was a very nice dress ~ for all of you gals). My take is that "Bride" and "Wedding Supper" were ideas that God used to convey the idea of the closest human relationship that we know about. The love, intimacy, and closeness of our relationship were depected in those terms because we could relate most easily to them. I'm going with the idea that our intimacy and relationship with Jesus will be FAR beyond any earthly relationship that we know of. Far better than any marriage. As far as actual clothing, perhaps similar to what the old temple priests wore. Linen is not at all scratchy, woolen kilts are very scratchy! Priests were always bare footed, no glass slippers either!

Paul, I'm a single guy in my late fifties, who never married and gave up the quest for romance years ago. I don't want to make it appear as though I never thought of finding someone; it's just that it seems to be a lost cause at this point and my thoughts are focused upon serving God in singleness.

I don't really even like weddings, although I am happy for those who are blessed to have found someone they can marry. All this is to say that I do not have lingering hopes to be someone's groom, and if I did get married (odds several million to one), I'd want it to be simple and quiet.

And yet, from time to time, I've found myself having dreams of going to a wedding, being in a tux, getting dressed for one, or some such activity. I don't think they stem at all from wish fulfillment or memories, as I have never been part of a wedding in that capacity. I used to play the wedding march occasionally when necessary.

Dreams like that make me wonder, being foreign to my normal thoughts and yet I have a sense in them that I must get dressed for one or hurry to get there.

And yes, I understand the marriage in heaven to be symbolized by earthly imagery, although nonetheless real.

David R

Paul, I really do understand about seeing others having experiences that we wish we could relate to. It's difficult feeling as if you're the odd person in any crowd. At least, it is for me.

I've done years of introspection, every range of the emotional spectrum, and wondering if things might have been different had I only been different.

I still don't know the answers; perhaps even after this world I won't get an answer that ties together all the loose ends as I'd wish for now. We are who we are, and that's the way God made us. But I do truly believe that when I see His face, I shall be satisfied.

What it will be like is fun to dream about and anticipate. The details are hidden from us. When we get there, perhaps we will get a laugh at how it couldn't have been anything but wonderful. The only thing I know is that there won't be any sense of lacking something to complete our joy. Whatever we are like there will be exactly the way it should be. There will be fellowship and companionship there, I have no doubt. It will far exceed anything this life offers and it will never be taken away from us.

The greatest joy will be to know God. That is not simply a way of pacifying hearts that long for fulfillment they were denied here. How it will happen, I cannot tell you, as I do not understand it myself. But I have faith that if God gave us His Son, then He will withhold no good thing from us.

That is why I have determined no longer to pine over things I might have missed out on if I find myself in heaven sooner than I thought. Any time is fine with me. I know you trust in God's grace; you may also be assured of His generosity.

I enjoy your posts; you eagerly anticipate the realization of God's promises.

David R

I don't want to see you guys in dresses either - all hairy legged and holding a bunch of flowers! Lol - what a picture!

Thankfully, we know that God will provide appropriate clothing along with all the other promises He has in store for us.

And I'm so thankful for that because, as we women can attest - I have nothing to wear! And as for the clothes I do have - does this make me look fat?

Seriously, though, does the Bible actually say we will stand at an altar in our marriage to the Lord? As far as I know, it mentions the marriage supper but not actually a marriage ceremony, per se.

Revelation 19:7-8: Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to Him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and the bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear. For the fine linen represents righteous acts of the saints.

So we know for sure there will be a supper, we will wear pure white, and it will be the finest linen material ever made. I always picture men and women wearing the same kind of outfit - handsome, lovely, clean, and pure, standing before our King!

Happy Watcher, in Greek the words wedding ceremony and wedding feast are the same. That's one of the reasons why the wise and foolish virgins parable is confusing - some translations use feast and others ceremony.

David R, the parable of the wedding of the Prince where the invited guests made excuses, others who appeared less deserving were compelled to come, but the one who was there without wedding garments was thrown out indicates that the wedding feast will be heavenly to me. Every attendee was to have been given garments of righteousness that allowed them into the presence of the King, no person who wore his own garments can stand in His presence. Additionally, the originally invited guests had refused the invite and so were not there. When we all get back, Israel will be there big time, in an enthusiastic but remnant kind of way. But I expect the Lord to throw rather a big feast then as well.

I read that the Jewish wedding tradition has the bride circling the male 7 times at the alter. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the rapture is our wedding ceremony and each member of the millions that are raptured gets to circle around the Savior 7 times. Can't you just picture that?! The Savior being surrounded and encircled by those that love Him so much as we shout for joy and praise Him! I can't wait!