THE NEW COVENANT AS A (RENEWED) BETROTHAL CONTRACT
1. Groom comes to the bride’s home with a ketubah, bride price and a skin of wine.
Jesus came to earth, our home., John 1:14.
2. Betrothal: The groom negotiates with the bride’s father and pays the bride price.
His life was given as a ransom for many. 1 Timothy 2:6, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
The cross was the bride price.
3. Ketubah (betrothal contract) is signed. It spells out the husband’s obligations to the wife, especially in the case of divorce.
The new covenant is our ketubah. Luke 22:20, 2 Peter 1:4.
4. Blessing over the wine-The bridegroom offers the bride the cup. If she accepts it, that indicates she agrees to marry him. They both drink it.
Jesus offered his disciples the cup of redemption at Passover, saying this is my blood. Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25.
5. The bride takes a mikvah (ritual immersion). John 2:6.
Believers are baptised. Acts 2:38.
6. The bridegroom returns to his fathers house for approx. 12 months to prepare a place for his bride.
Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us. John 14:2, 6:62.
7. During this period of separation the bridegroom sends her gifts, usually jewellery to enhance her beauty for the wedding day.
We have been given spiritual gifts Romans 12:6, 1 Corinthians 14:1. The fivefold ministries are given by God to perfect the bride for the coming wedding. Ephesians 4:11-13, Ephesians 5:25-27, 2 Corinthians 11:2.
8. During this time the bride gathers her wardrobe and prepares for married life. We are to use our time on earth to perfect our holiness and do God’s will. Ephesians 2:10, Revelation 19:7-8.
9. The Bridegroom returns with his best man and male escorts to collect the bride, usually at night in a torch-lit procession. Matthew 25:1-13.
Jesus will soon come from the fathers house accompanied by an angelic host. Jude 1:14.
10. The bride does not know the exact time he will come for her, so his arrival is preceded with the shout of the bridegroom’s friend. Matthew 25:6.
Jesus’s first coming was preceded by John the Baptist who prepared the people for his coming. Matthew 3:3, John 3:29.
Messiah’s second coming will be preceded with a shout, and at an hour we do not expect. 1 Thessalonians 4:16, Matthew 24:44.
11. The bride dresses in her wedding garments.
The bride of Messiah has made herself ready, clothed in fine linen. Revelation 19:7.
12. The bride comes out to meet the bridegroom and accompanies him with her female attendants to his father’s house.
The believers will meet Jesus in the air at his return. 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
13. A short wedding ceremony under a canopy (huppah) where the bride is presented with the ketubah (bride price).
The Lamb will marry His Bride. Revevlation 19:7.
14. The couple withdraw to a private room where the marriage is consummated.
We will be united with Him at the deepest level of our being. Ephesians 5:31-32.
15. The wedding feast begins and lasts 7 days.
The marriage Supper of the Lamb begins. Revelation 19:9.
The feasts of the Lord (YHWH) Marcia Malthus.