The Bridal Army

This week a number of churches are covering Psalm 110. I have always viewed this chapter in terms of “warfare” as mentioned in verse 3.  The chapter then goes on to say that the Lord will “shatter kings” (v. 5), “execute judgment”, “fill the place with corpses”, and “shatter the head” (v. 6). As graphic and gory as this sounds, I also find it romantic.

In Revelation 19 there is more graphic detail about the Lord and His army. One detail I would like to focus on is in verse 14.

And the armies which are in heaven followed Him on white horses, dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 

Why would the armies be dressed in fine linen white and clean? A few verses before the bride is mentioned, also dressed in fine linen, bright and clean. That is understandable for a bride but what’s up with the armies get-up? The armies are the bride.

This matches the revelation of the church in Ephesians. The church is seen as the bride in chapter 5 then as the warrior in chapter 6.

I was at a wedding today sitting through the consecration, eagerly awaiting the kiss. After the groom said his vows, the bride asked if she could just kiss the groom. After the laughter died down the bride said her vows, they kissed, everyone cheered and kids squirmed. It was very romantic.

What’s so cool about kissing? The kiss means that you are giving yourself to that person. It means you love them. It is also very refreshing. Imagine a husband working a long day, then overtime, then stuck in traffic on the way home. That is exhausting but well worth the kiss awaiting him at home. It is invigorating. It is also what the Lord wants from us.

The “young men” mentioned in Psalm 110 are consecrating themselves to the Lord. This means that they are offering themselves willingly. The Lord loves this. Words like “splendor” and “dew” are used to describe their consecration. This refreshes the Lord much like a wife kissing her husband.

Another verse that supports this thought is Song of Songs 1:2 which says

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine.

Finally, Psalm 110 ends by saying

He will drink from the brook by the way; Therefore He will lift up His head.

Our loving the Lord Jesus satisfies Him and gives Him a drink as He rides on to victory.

Here is a stanza of a hymn I love singing

My Beloved, come on spices’ mountain;

How I yearn to see Thee face to face.

Drink, dear Lord, from my heart’s flowing fountain,

Till I rest fore’er in Thine embrace.

Not alone, O Lord, do I adore Thee,

But with all the saints as Thy dear Bride;

Quickly come, our love is waiting for Thee;

Jesus Lord, Thou wilt be satisfied.

http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/1159