When Jesus described His return, He often used the language of a wedding. In John 14:2–3 He said, “I go to prepare a place for you… I will come back and take you to be with me.”
To modern ears, that sounds poetic. But to His Jewish disciples, it was far more specific, it was wedding language. The ancient Jewish wedding followed a set of customs that perfectly mirror the rapture, the tribulation, and the second coming.
Let’s walk through the steps.
1. The Betrothal (Kiddushin)
- A covenant was made between the groom and bride, sealed with a cup of wine.
- The groom would pay a price for his bride.
Prophetic Fulfillment: Jesus sealed the covenant with His blood (Luke 22:20) and purchased His bride, the Church (1 Cor. 6:20).
2. The Groom Prepares a Place
- After the betrothal, the groom returned to his father’s house to prepare a room (often an addition to the family home).
- This preparation could take months or years.
Prophetic Fulfillment: Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2). The Church is in the waiting period while the Groom prepares.
3. The Bride Waits, Set Apart
- The bride remained pure, waiting expectantly. She didn’t know the exact time of the groom’s return, only the father decided when the room was ready.
- She kept a lamp lit and was ready at any moment.
Prophetic Fulfillment: The Church is called to live holy and watchful (Matthew 25:1–13, the parable of the ten virgins).
4. The Midnight Shout
- When the father gave the word, the groom would come, often at night, preceded by a shout and the blast of a trumpet.
- The bride and her bridal party had to be ready to leave immediately.
Prophetic Fulfillment: At the rapture, the Lord descends with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God (1 Thess. 4:16).
5. The Wedding Ceremony & Seven Days of Celebration
- Once the bride was taken to the groom’s father’s house, the couple entered the bridal chamber. The marriage was consummated, and then followed by seven full days of celebration.
- During those seven days, the bride was hidden away, rejoicing with her groom, while life outside continued as normal.
Prophetic Fulfillment: This is a picture of the seven years of tribulation. The Church, the Bride of Christ, will be with the Groom in heaven, safe, rejoicing, and hidden away (Isaiah 26:20–21). Meanwhile, the world will face seven years of judgment, deception, and unparalleled suffering (Matthew 24:21).
⚠️ Wake Up Call: Don’t Miss the Invitation
The Jewish wedding wasn’t optional, you were either ready when the groom came, or you were left behind in the darkness (Matthew 25:10–12).
The seven days of celebration were joy for the bride… but seven days of absence from the bridegroom for everyone else. Prophetically, those who belong to Christ will be celebrating in heaven, while those who reject Him will endure the seven years of tribulation on earth.
This is why Jesus’ warning is urgent: “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13).
6. The Groom and Bride Return
- At the end of the celebration, the bride and groom returned together in public celebration.
Prophetic Fulfillment: At the end of the tribulation, Christ returns with His bride, the Church, in glory (Revelation 19:11–14).
✨ Final Thought
The Jewish wedding tradition is not just a cultural footnote, it is God’s way of shouting across history: Be ready. The Bridegroom is coming.
Seven days of joy or seven years of judgment. The choice is made now, not later.
Troy P Zehnder 