Revelation 19:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The marriage of the Lamb signifies the union of the Church with Christ. The divine apostles were the arrangers of this union, granting the Church a spiritual betrothal, because one day she will receive the true betrothal.

After the doxology had been spoken, and after the word of approval had been heard, praise was lifted up to God in power. It was like the voice of thunders speaking to the hearing, saying that the marriage of the Lamb had come.

This will be when, after the end of the world, Christ abolishes every rule and every authority and power. He will deliver the Kingdom to God the Father, that God may be all in all (1 Cor 15:24, 28).

Then His wife, that is, the catholic Church, will be united with Him in purity of faith. Of this the Apostle said, "I betrothed you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ" (2 Cor 11:2).

Therefore the fine linen in which she is clothed is not a beautiful garment, but the righteousness of the saints.

In the present age the marriage of the Lord and the Church is still only betrothal, not yet a perfect marriage.

The divine Apostle indicates this in the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, where he says, "I betrothed you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ" (2 Cor 11:2).

Therefore it is still betrothal, since the words "I betrothed" belong to betrothal. As the symbol of the betrothal, we have acquired the promise of the Spirit.

But when the Church becomes one spirit with Christ, just as a man becomes one body with a woman, then it is a perfect marriage.

The wedding feast of the Lamb will take place when the Church of the Lord is united in the chambers of the Kingdom of Heaven.

"And His wife has prepared herself." By continual steadfastness in works of righteousness, she has shown herself worthy of the spiritual feast and the eternal Kingdom.

This can also be understood in light of the Gospel parable about the virgins who rose to meet the bridegroom and trimmed their lamps (Mt 25:1-13).

That is, they considered among themselves their works, for which they expected to receive eternal blessedness.

"And it was granted to them to clothe themselves in white and shining fine linen." It was granted to them to be clothed in their own works.

Not so the ungodly, who, according to Isaiah, weave a spider's web and will not be covered by their works (Isa 59:5-6), because their works are useless works.

The elect of God desire with longing that the name of God, His wisdom, power, mercy, and righteousness be held holy among all nations and tribes.

They desire that all people, as creations of the one God, live among themselves in peace and concord. Those who know God should instruct those who do not know Him, the elders should teach the younger every good thing, and the strong should defend and protect the weak.

Each should act toward all others as he wishes others to act toward him, not in word only, but also in deed.

The crown of triumph and gladness for righteous souls is the universal glorification of the infinite perfections of God, His greatest power, and His immeasurable might and dominion.

According to Saint Andrew, the marriage of the Lamb is the union of all the faithful with Christ. Its beginning was laid in the upper room of Zion.

To the apostles, and through them to the whole Church founded by them, the pledge of the Holy Spirit was given. They were destined one day to be united with Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Indeed, such a Church prepared herself for union with her Founder through countless sacrifices. In her poverty, this Church shared her last possessions with those who had nothing at all.

To neglect and contempt toward her she answered with meekness and goodwill. To various slanders brought against her she answered by the unpretentious fulfillment of God's commandments and the keeping of her statutes.

Under persecutions and blasphemies against her she endured, blessed her enemies, and prayed for them. This made such a Church glorious, holy, pure, and a worthy bride of Christ, as the Apostle Paul says (cf. Eph 5:25-27).

In this Revelation we continuously behold the true Church. Still further, before the marriage of the Lamb, she is presented as "His wife," who has made herself ready and is clothed in the fine linen of the righteousness of the saints.