THE BRIDEGROOM PREPARES TO RECEIVE HIS BRIDE
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
Isaac’s last appearance was at the place of sacrifice: “Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.”
Isaac’s next appearance was to meet his bride: “Now Isaac …. went out to the field one evening to meditate, and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching.”
Christ’s last appearance was His resurrection, after paying the ultimate price for our sin, His next appearance will be to claim His bride – His Church ; “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
THE NEW TESTAMENT VERIFIES THIS PARALLEL
“Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”
“Midst the darkness storm and sorrow, One bright gleam I see;
Well I know the blessed morrow Christ will come for me!
Long the blessed Guide has led me By the desert road;
Now I see the golden towers City of my God.
There amidst the love and glory, He is waiting yet;
On His hands a name is graven He can ne’er forget.
There made ready are the mansions, Glorious, bright, and fair;
But the Bride the Father gave Him Still is wanting there.
Who is this who comes to meet me On the desert way,
As the Morning Star foretelling God’s unclouded day?
He it is who came to win me, On the cross of shame;
In His glory I shall know Him Evermore the same.
Oh, the blessed joy of meeting All the desert past!
Oh, the wondrous words of greeting He shall speak at last!
Meet companion then for Jesus, From Him, for Him made;
Glory of God’s grace for ever There in me displayed!
He, who in His hour of sorrow Bore the curse alone;
I, who through the lonely desert Trod where He has gone-
He and I in that bright glory One deep joy shall share;
Mine, to be forever with Him; His, that I am there.”
(Gerhard Tersteegen 1697-1769)