Return of the Bridegroom
When all was prepared for his bride and the groom’s father had given his approval he would gather his friends they would all go in procession – much like a parade through the village – to the home of the Bride. When they were getting closer someone would sound the Shofar, a horn made from the horn of a ram, and shout that the bridegroom was approaching to announce his coming to his bride. This had a dual effect, people of that village who heard the announcement would also join the throng, whether or not they were invited, to enter into the festivities. Can we say ancient wedding crashers? Just kidding. The Father of the groom would be glad to have all who would enter. In fact families looked forward to the weddings of their villages. These were celebrated in Royal fashion, or as close to that as a family could afford. This announcement by horn and shout would bring the Bride dressed in her finest dress and her new veil covering her face along with her attendants to a place of final preparation to wait for the Bridegroom.
We, as Christ’s Bride will also hear the sound of the Shofar – trumpet - and hear the announcement of His attendants - archangels. ‘For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.’ 1Thesessalonians 4:15-17. And again in I Corinthians 15:51-53; ‘Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.’
As a thief in the night, our Bridegroom will call us to arise and meet Him in the air. We will hear a shout and the sound of the shofar. It will happen quickly. We must be ready.
Matthew 24:27 says, "For as the lightning comes from the East and flashes to the West, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be."
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