Wedding: the 10th Step of the 12 Steps or the 6th step of the 8 Steps of Marriage
This page is set up so someone could use it to go through a real wedding. The steps are placed in order according to the modern Jewish wedding. But, the steps are labeled according to their more likely position when compared to the Scriptures.
Index & Outline of Wedding article:
Calling Up, Mikvah, Fasting, Wearing White, Signing Ketubah, 1st Step: Veiling, 3rd Step: Trip to the Chuppah/Huppah, 4th Step: Bride Circling Groom, Washing Feet, Blessings of Betrothal, Vows, 5th Step: The Unveiling, 7th Step: The Ring, 6th Step: Reading Ketubah, Certificate of Marriage, 2nd & 8th Step: Seven Blessings, Breaking Glass, 9th Step: Private Reflection, 10th Step: Marriage Feast/Supper, 7th Step: Moving Ring
Modern Jewish Marriage
The modern Jewish wedding below contains the whole marriage (in light of YESHUA being the MESSIAH) as the Jews of today have moved from a one year or longer marriage to a 1 day marriage [ref].
Aufruf/Shabbat-Hatan/Sabbath-Calling-up
The groom is called up to read from the Scriptures on the Shabbat/Sabbath before the wedding [ref] [ref].
We find in Luke 4:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 YESHUA read from the Scripture at the synagogue. This step links the groom with the Word. It is YESHUA, the Groom, WHO is the Word WHO became a-man/flesh (Jhn 1:1, 14). YESHUA states HE is the Bridegroom in Matthew 9:15, Mark 2:19, and Luke 5:34, 35, with John confirming this in John 3:29. The LORD defined marriage in Genesis 2:24 as, “… a man will forsake/leave his father and his mother and cling/cleave/be-joined with his wife, and they shall be to (the) flesh/body one.” YESHUA left HIS FATHER and the SPIRIT and joined as one with the Church, HIS Bride. Isaiah 54:5, Isaiah 62:5, John 3:29, Revelation 19:7, 8, Revelation 21:7, 8, 9; 2 Corinthians 11:2, and Ephesians 5:31, 32 all state the Church/Body-of-YESHUA is the Bride betrothed/wed to YESHUA. Who is the head of the body/church of YESHUA? YESHUA, as Colossians 1:18 states, “And, HE is the HEAD/LEADER/RULER of the body/flesh, the Church/Assembly/Congregation…” So, a Believer leaves/dies-to their past sinful worldly life by committing to a marriage covenant relationship with the LORD, saying “I do,” and making HIM their LORD/GOD/RULER/HEAD, and they become one with the LORD YESHUA. We could say ‘For this reason YESHUA will leave HIS FATHER and the SPIRIT and be united to HIS Church, and the two will become one body.’
(This tradition is considered part of the marriage/wedding since before YESHUA [ref]. This is really still part of the marriage betrothal.)
Mikvah/Baptism
Within 4 days of the Jewish wedding, the bride gets baptized before the wedding [ref]. This would be the 3rd/2nd step of the marriage and part of the betrothal. As a day is like a thousand years (2 Pet 3:8; Psm 90:4), Believers get Baptized in the name of YESHUA/JESUS 1 to 3 days (1000 to 3000 years) before the marriage of the Lamb (Rev 19:7). This step of the marriage lines up with the Sons of Yisra’el/Israel crossing the sea a long while before they reached the Chuppah/Huppah/Wedding-Canopy of Mount Sinay/Sinai. For the wedding though, there should be a step more in line with when the Sons of Yisra’el/Israel were asked to consecrate themselves and wash their clothes 3 days before the LORD came to them in Ex 19:10, 11. This would be more like when YESHUA washed HIS disciple’s feet (HE came back to them 3 days after HIS death). An added step will be listed below in order to follow more in line with this symbolism within the wedding.
(This is the 3rd/2nd step of the marriage and part of the betrothal)
Fasting
(not a step, but part of the wedding)
Fasting is something that is and has been done the day of the wedding since ancient times [ref]. This is done by the groom and the bride in anticipation of getting fully married and being purified, clean, and holy before they join with one another. What is fasting? As Psm 35:13 states, fasting is to humble/afflict the nephesh/living-flesh/breathing-flesh. If a Believer already has GOD in them, how can they have more of GOD in them to have the fullness of GOD (Eph 3:19; 5:18)? John said in Jhn 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” How does a Believer decrease? By walking in and by the SPIRIT to crucify and decrease the flesh which is called sanctification (Rom 8:4; Gal 5:16, 24; 1 Th 4:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). One way to decrease the living-old-flesh/soul is by fasting.
“For, the wages of sin is death…” (Rom 6:23). Death has to be satisfied to stay alive. A sacrifice has to be made to satisfy the death. Without sin, no sacrifice would be needed. Since we sinned and have entered into into death (Rom 5:12), we have to eat/sacrifice to stay alive. When YESHUA comes back for HIS Bride, the Church, every Believer’s body (dead or alive) of flesh will be changed into a glorified sinless body like YESHUA’s glorified body (Dan 12:13; 1 Cor 15:20, 23, 51, 52; 1 Thes 4:14, 15, 16, 17; Jhn 20:1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16; Phil 3:20, 21). And, without sin, no sacrifice is needed. Of course, past sin is still eternal because it was against an eternal GOD, and so past sin will still need an eternal sacrifice to satisfy the eternal sin, which is satisfied in the eternal LORD/GOD YESHUA’s eternal sacrifice and death on the Cross for the Believer’s sin and death. But, in effect there will be no more need of sacrifice for new sin after the Believer is sinless (Rev 19:8; 21:27). Since eating food is sacrificing food (animal or plant) so the body in death from sin will live, fasting is looking forward to a time we are sinless and holy before the LORD our Husband when no more sacrifice for new sin will be needed. So, fasting is turning toward GOD away from sin to end the need for sacrificing/eating. This is why if you stop eating and do not stop sinning you are not fasting (Isa 58:3, 4, 5, 6, 7). The Believer’s new glorified body will also no longer need food to live. There will still be food and drink (a memorial for the work YESHUA accomplished on the Cross), but they will not be needed to stay alive as a Believer at that time will have eternal physical and spiritual life in YESHUA our LORD (Rev 22:2; Luk 24:39, 40, 41, 42, 43; Isa 25:6, 7, 8).
Yom-Kippurim/Day-of-Atonements/Day-like-Purim is the next of the LORD’s festivals/holidays after Yom Teru’ah. It is on the 10th day of 7th Month of ha’Ethanim/Tishri (Lev 16:29, 30, 31; 23:27, 28; Num 29:7). The Hebrew word used for what we are to do on this day is ‘anah (H6031/H6030/H6032/H6033) in Lev 16:29, Lev 16:31, Lev 23:27, Lev 23:32, and Num 29:7, which means “afflict/humble/to-be-occupied/be-busied-with/oppress/be-bowed-down” and to “answer/respond/testify/speak/shout/respond-as-a-witness/be-answered/receive-answer/hear/sing/dwell” and “poor.” The Oral-Torah/Mishnah teaches there are 5 afflictions to this day of Yom Kippurim: fasting, abstaining from eating or drinking; abstaining from washing or bathing; abstaining from applying of oils, perfumes, or lotions; abstaining from leather footwear; and abstaining from sexual relations (ref: Mishnah Yoma 8:1) (For info on what the Mishnah is see HERE). This does not sound like an exciting holiday. But, a wedding is called a mini Yom Kippurim [ref]. There is no eating or drinking by the groom and bride in anticipation of the wedding. There is no washing and bathing by the groom and bride because they have already washed and bathed before the day started to be ready for the wedding day. There is no applying lotions or perfumes because they have already applied those and are ready for the wedding day. There is no wearing leather shoes (skins of sacrifice), which mirrors the reason for fasting (looking forward to a time with no sin and no need for sacrifice when the LORD the Groom is married to the Bride the Church). There is no marital relations as the groom and bride are waiting until they are married at the wedding. (More on Yom Kippur can be found HERE, it is more in note form at this time). This is a day of singing and become holy and pure for the holy Groom. This is an anniversary of celebrating when Believers will be face to face with the LORD YESHUA on the wedding day in the Heaven(s) (Rev 19:7, 8, 9). Because Yom Kippurim can be read “a day like Purim,” Yom Kippurim is also a day of victory with fasting. Yom Kippurim was also the only day the High Priest could enter into the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle where the presence of the LORD was on top of the Mercy-Seat/Covering-Over between the wings of the angels/keruvim/cherubim (Ex 25:22; 30:6). The Tabernacle/Temple/House/Tent has 2 rooms/houses: the cubed inner room/house called the “Holy of Holies” and the outer room/house called the “Holy Place,” being twice as long as it is wide (1 Kgs 6:2, 16, 17, 20). The whole Tabernacle/Temple is called the Tent/Tabernacle of Meeting because the Tabernacle/Temple is where the LORD meets with HIS people/the-Bride (Ex 28:43). the New Yerushalayim/Jerusalem, the City of Heaven, is the same length, width, and height of “twelve thousand stadia,” making it the final Holy of Holies on Earth (Rev 21:16). The City of Heaven is the new Holy of Holies, the place where the glory of GOD resides, and is called the New Yerushalayim/Jerusalem (Rev 21:3). The City of Heaven is where the LORD will dwell/reside/encamp with HIS Bride the Church (Rev 21:2, 3). Inside this city are dwellings/mansions built for each member of the Family of the LORD (Jhn 14:2, 3). Yom Kippurim is an celebration of when in the future the Bride/Church will join with the LORD and come into HIS room/house built for us to be with HIM forever (Rev 21:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10).
And, Mosheh/Moses finally brings the finished unbroken Ketubah/Ten-Commandments/Two-Stone-Tablets down the mountain from the LORD on the day of Yom Kippurim. We know this because we can follow the timing of Mosheh/Moses fasting 40 days and nights 3 times while he was receiving the Ten Commandments on the Two Stone Tablets (the Ketubah, as explained below) (Yom Kippurim is at the bottom of this LINK with the rest of the page showing how the events in the Scripture gives you the timing).
Revelation speaks in Rev 2:14, 20 not to eat things sacrificed to idols.
(Fasting has been a part of the wedding since before YESHUA.)
Wearing White
(not a step, but part of the wedding)
In Jewish weddings today, both the groom and the bride wear white [ref]. This custom seems to go back as far as ancient Egypt [ref].
As the LORD wraps HIMSELF in light (Psm 104:1, 2), we can see how the groom representing YESHUA would wear white to symbolize that light. We also find the YESHUA, the Groom, wearing white in Mrk 9:3.
In Rev 19:7, 8 we find the Bride/Church clothed in bright white-linen, because through YESHUA they and all their sins were made white as snow (Psm 51:7; Isa 1:18). Rev 3:5 has those who overcome dressed in white garments (Rev 3:18). Rev 19:8, 14 show the Bride is clothed in white linen for the wedding to represent her being clean and holy, which is what YESHUA causes a Believer to be. As the bride is leaving behind her past life with her previous family and entering into a new family with the groom, we have represented the Bride/Church repenting and leaving behind their old life of sin in the family of darkness to enter into a new Family of the LORD the GROOM, YESHUA.
The Tzitzit article also shows how the white linen strings of the tzitzit/tassel represent the clean-Body/holy-Body/Church/Kingdom-of-Priests of YESHUA.
There are Jewish teachings that teach man was first clothed with light before his fall (This article from another website covers this topic well). As the wedding is symbolically represented in the 6th Day of Creation when the LORD, through HIS Breath, joined with man and the first wedding of man and woman joining together was presided over by the LORD, we have both the groom and the bride being clothed with this first clothing of light. In Rev 1:16, we see YESHUA’s face shining like the Sun, and Believers are going to receive glorified bodies like YESHUA’s (Phil 3:20, 21). The color of the Sun is white as shown below; the Sun is only yellow as seen through the atmosphere [ref].
Like a bride at the wedding, white is normally worn on Yom Kippur. This is to look forward to the day we are in Heaven with the LORD wearing our white linen robes (Rev 19:7, 8, 14). Every priest wore white-linen garments (Ex 28:39; 39:27, 28, 29) [ref]. And, the Body-of-YESHUA/Church/Bride is called a Kingdom of Priests (Rev 1:6; 5:10; 20:6). On the day of Yom Kippurim, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies wearing only white linen (Lev 16:2, 3, 4, 29).
(This step has been a part of the wedding since before YESHUA.)
Signing of the Ketubah
The Ketubah would have had to be prepared by all parties before this time and is the marriage contract of today [ref]. The Ketubah was created when Yisra’el/Israel was in Babylonian captivity and was to be a replacement for the mohar/bride-price that was part of the betrothal [ref]. Most of the time nowadays, the betrothal and wedding is done all in the same day [ref]. Since the Ketubah was in place during the time of YESHUA, this can be compared to the Scripture/Bible being the Ketubah for the Believer. Before Mosheh/Moses the Bible/Scripture did not exist, so a written contract or Ketubah also did not exist for the marriage (The first 5 books of the Bible were written by Mosheh/Moses [Jhn 5:46; Mrk 12:26; Luk 16:29, 31; 20:28]). After the Bible began with the written Torah (1st 5 books of the Bible), the written marriage contract also started to begin to be put in place. By the time of YESHUA, the foundation of the Scripture was established in the Old Testament and would be finished within the next 100 to 300 years to include the New Testament [ref]. And, by this time the marriage contract of the Ketubah was firmly established. As noted already, it was on Yom Kippurim when the first Ketubah/Ten-Commandments were given.
The Ketubah started in the 7th & 4th step of the marriage, and is finished in the wedding with the joining of the groom and the bride, as the groom represents YESHUA, the Groom, WHO is the Word/Ketubah WHO became a-man/flesh (Jhn 1:1, 14).
(this is the 7th & 4th step of the marriage)
Badeken/Veiling
(1st Step of Wedding)
The Bride is veiled before coming to the Chuppah/huppah, just as Rivqah/Rebekah veiled herself before seeing Yitzchaq/Isaac (Gen 24:65). What is a veil? From Gen 24:65, we could just say it is any covering. But, the specific body part that is being covered with a veil is the face [ref]. There seems to be several types of veils listed in Scripture [ref]. The tsa’ip (H6809) of Gen 24:65; 38:14, 19 is a veil that wraps around. The maseveh (H4533) of Ex 34:33, 34, 35 seems to be some type of covering/mask for the face of a man. The ‘athah (H5844) of Lev 13:45 seems to be to cover the mouth with a hand/covering for sickness rather than a veil. The tsammah (H6777) of SS 4:1, 3; 6:7; Isa 47:2 is a woman’s veil of the face that may be more like the wedding veil of today. The re’alah (H7479) of Isa 3:19 is related to the word ra’al (H7478) meaning “trembling” and the Arabic related word ra’al (H7477) meaning “quiver/shake” pointing to a veil that is thin hanging down that quivers/trembles/shakes (so like the tsammah from a foreign perspective or maybe like the modern Arabic veil worn at all times). The radid (H7289) of SS 5:7; Isa 3:23 is a large veil that may be more like a shawl. All of these fall under veil because they are covering the face.
There is another word translated veil/curtain called in Hebrew the paroketh (H6532). Paroketh is only used for the veil/curtain between the Holy of Holies and the Holy Place (Ex 26:33). So, should it be called a veil? The LORD’s face is in the Holy of Holies over the mercy seat (Ex 26:33, 34; 25:17, 21, 22; Lev 16:2). But, what was this veil/curtain for? Lev 16:2 states no one was to enter into the Holy of Holies inside the veil unless done a certain way or they would die. This is right after 2 people died from the fire of the LORD coming out of HIS holy presence and burning the unholiness before HIM in Lev 10:1, 2. So, a man’s unholy condition requires the veil to be in place so the man will not die by the fire of the holy LORD. Since it was man who’s sin causing the need for the veil, this is like the man/Church/Bride placing the veil upon themselves.
From the very beginning in Gen 1:2, darkness like the covering of a veil was upon/over the face/surface of the Earth (Gen 1:2). As man came from the dirt of the Earth, it is like a veil was upon man from the beginning. Creation and the LORD bringing the earth that is man to HIMSELF is like a marriage ceremony of unveiling the Bride/earth/man to be with the Groom in the Light of the LORD.
The hakkapporeth/mercy-seat is the lid for the Ark of the Covenant (Ex 25:19, 20; 37:8, 9). The hakkapporeth is the singular form of the Hebrew word translated in English as propitiatory/the-mercy-seat (H3727) with the Hebrew word hakkippurim (H3725) being the same Hebrew word with different vowels in the plural form meaning atonements. ‘Yom Hakkippurim’ is the Hebrew phrase for the ‘Day of Atonements’ (Lev 23:27). So, this lid of the Ark of the Covenant can be called the-propitiatory/the-atonement/the-covering-over/the-mercy-seat and is where the blood from the Yom-Hakkippurim/Day-of-Atonements sin offering/sacrifice was sprinkled to make atonement for all of the people (Lev 16:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17). And, YESHUA is called the Propitiation/Atonement/covering-over of our sin (1Jhn 2:2; 4:10; Rom 3:25;). “The wages/salary/reward of sin/missing-the-mark/failure is death” (Rom 6:23). YESHUA paid the wages of our sin to redeem us from death and cover-over our sin. This means the lid of the Ark of the Covenant is representing YESHUA, the Groom. The mercy-seat/hakkapporeth (Groom representation) also has a face that is separated from the people by the veil/paroketh as shown in Lev 16:14.
YESHUA’s body/flesh also represents the veil (Heb 10:20). We have shown in the Marriage article, the Sun and the Moon represent YESHUA. The Moon (representing HIS flesh/body/Body-of-YESHUA that came from the Sons of Yisra’el/Israel having 12 [13] tribes) goes around the Sun 12 [13] times in a year (12 full months and a partial month that can be [or not be] counted as a 13th month in a solar year and is counted if a 13th month is added as a leap month to a lunar year). The Sun represents YESHUA in HIS glory as we can see HIS “face” is like the “Sun” in HIS revealed divine glorified state in Mt 17:2; Rev 1:16; Rev 10:1 with Mal 4:2 using the Sun to represent YESHUA. And, the Earth represents man/mankind that came from the earth and was made from the earth. From Jhn 9:4, 5, when YESHUA was on the Earth was a time of day when the Light was in the world; when HE left to be in Heaven, darkness began. This was not full darkness, as the Believer has YESHUA in them and is called the light of the world (Gal 2:20; Mt 5:14). The Believer is seated in heavenly places and is like the stars of the night as promised to Abraham (Gen 22:17; Eph 2:6). As the Believer is also in YESHUA (2 Cor 5:17) and both YESHUA and the Body-of-YESHUA/the-Church are seated in heavenly places (Eph 1:20; 2:6), the Moon in the Heaven(s) represents both the body of YESHUA and the Body-of-YESHUA/the-Church. But, just as the Moon has a time of full darkness during the month (called an astronomical new moon), there will be a time of darkness that is coming when no work can be done as stated in Jhn 9:4. Of course, the darkness of sin and its death representing man that has turned away from the light of the LORD is represented in the half of the Earth that has turned from the light of the Sun to the darkness of the night. And, the half of the Earth in light of the Sun during the day is representing man that has turned away from the darkness of night toward the light of the LORD. A solar eclipse happens during the day when the dark Moon (flesh/body/Body-of-YESHUA/YESHUA-WHO-has-taken-on-our-sin-and-its-darkness) like a veil comes between the Sun (Groom) and the Earth (mankind who are seeking the LORD in the light of the day) covering the Earth in darkness like a bride who veils herself in darkness before her groom. All authority has been given to YESHUA in Heaven and upon the Earth (Mt 28:18). As YESHUA became a man made from the dirt of the Earth and YESHUA is in the Believer’s unholy body represented by the same Earth (Rom 8:10), the Earth can also represent the man of YESHUA in the Body/the-Church. It was after YESHUA died on the Cross and arose to the right hand of the FATHER that night started. So, in the darkness of night, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon (the Bride of YESHUA in CHRIST seated in the Heavens) is veiled by the shadow of the Earth (YESHUA’s taking upon HIMSELF a man’s body, his sin, and his death upon the Cross) from the light of the Sun (Groom). The veil/paroketh is then removed from the Bride (Moon) after YESHUA’s death (YESHUA was buried on the night of the full Moon when a lunar eclipse is possible [ref: Timeline (coming soon maybe)]). The Earth is representing the Believer in their flesh while the Moon is representing the Believer in their spirit that is seated in heavenly places. As the Moon goes around the Earth, the Moon/Body-of-YESHUA/the-Bride is veiled in darkness depending on the Earth’s position. We call this the Moon’s phases. As the Earth/man’s-body is farther from the Sun/LORD than the Moon (so the body is more unholy), the Moon/Bride is fully veiled (astronomical new moon). As the Earth/man’s-body is closer to the Sun/LORD than the Moon (a body more sanctified and holy), the Moon/Bride is more and more unveiled (moving toward a full moon). This is as “if a-person/one shall have turned to the LORD, the veil is taken-away/cast-off” (2 Cor 3:16). And, 1 Cor 13:12 speaks of then we will see the LORD face to face, but for now it is partially veiled.
As noted above during the betrothal, the Jewish husband and wife used to be separated for a year or more. Nowadays, the husband and wife are separate for 1 to 7 days, and on the day of the wedding, the husband veils the bride so he does not end up with a different wife like Ya’aqov/Jacob did (Gen 29:23, 25) [ref]. It was and is fear that changed this step. The example we have in the Scripture is the bride veils herself, not the groom. We see this with Rivqah/Rebekah in Gen 24:65. We also find Mosheh/Moses on Yom Kippurim placing a veil on his face like a bride when he was before the people, but then the veil is removed when he is before the face of the LORD (the LORD being like the groom) (Ex 34:29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35). The English translations of Ex 34:34 have a “he,” as in Mosheh/Moses, taking the veil off, but the “he” could just as easily be “HE,” as in the LORD took the veil off. This does not occur in the Hebrew when Mosheh/Moses is putting on the veil; it is definitely Mosheh/Moses putting on the veil.
Revelation starts with talking about repenting from the sins of the Churches that represents the veil the Bride places upon herself before the LORD (Rev 2 & 3).
(This step has been a part of the wedding since before YESHUA.)
As noted above, both CHRIST and the Church are represented by both the Earth and the Moon. How can that be? After reading the 4th step below, there is an article called the “New Moon” that has a section explaining the situation better.
The Trip to the Chuppah/Huppah/Wedding-Canopy
(3rd Step of Wedding)
In this step of the wedding there are several traditions, but overall the groom is in the chuppah/huppah/wedding-Canopy at the beginning with the bride coming to him; and before she gets to the chuppah/huppah/wedding-Canopy, the groom comes to meet her and bring her to the chuppah/huppah/wedding-Canopy [ref] [ref] [ref]. This is representing the 9th step of the 12 steps or the 6th step of the 8 steps of the marriage. This is the marriage step where the groom comes for the bride and the bride comes out to the groom and then the groom takes the bride back to a house/room/tent built onto his family’s/father’s house can be seen when the servant of Avraham/Abraham/the-father announces he has come to take a wife for the son (Gen 24:1, 37), then Rivqah/Rebekah goes to the son Yitzchaq/Isaac (Gen 24:58, 61) who has already come out from his father’s house (Gen 24:62, 63) and the servant states the son is the coming to meet her (Gen 24:64, 65), and the son takes her back to his mother’s tent, a house/room/tent built onto his family’s/father’s house (Gen 24:67). This is also seen in when Mosheh/Moses as servant of the LORD goes to the Sons of Yisra’el/Israel in Mitzrayim/Egypt and announces he has come to take them back to the LORD (Ex 3:10, 12; 4:29, 30), Yisrae’l/the-Bride goes to the mount of the LORD/the-Groom and the LORD comes down the mountain (from the Heaven[s]) to meet them and than they go up the mountain to eat a marriage supper with the LORD the SON (Ex 19:1, 2, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20; 24:1, 9, 10, 11). We know it is the LORD the SON, because the SON is the one with a body and can eat and drink [ref]. We find the same events occur when YESHUA the SON comes back for HIS Bride the Church. There is an announcement by a servant of the LORD the SON has come, the SON comes from HIS FATHER’s House, the Bride the Church is caught up to the SON, an HE takes the Bride to the FATHER’s-House/Heaven for the wedding and wedding supper (1 Thes 4:16, 17; Jhn 14:2; Rev 14:14, 15, 16; 19:7, 9).
We know the servant can also represent the HOLY SPIRIT, because both are shown to search for the bride. And, even though the servant of ‘Avraham/Abraham has no name in Gen 24:2, his servant is most likely listed in Gen 15:2 as ‘Eli’ezer (H461) of Dammeseq/Damascus (H1834). The ‘El (H410) of ‘Eli’ezer means “GOD,” ‘ezer (H5828) means “helper/help/one-who-helps,” and the “i”/y can be the suffix to mean “my.” So, ‘Eli’ezer can mean “my GOD helper.” ‘Eli’ezer (H461) is usually translated to mean “my GOD (is) helper” for a person’s name, but as a statement the “is” is added. The Dam of Dammeseq can be dam (H1818) meaning “blood,” damam (H1826) means “silence/silent,” saq (H8242) means “mesh/sackcloth/sack/sacking,” mesheq (H4943) means “steward/acquisition/possession/son-of-possession/heir,” mashshaq (H4944) means “running to and fro,” and mashqeh (H4945) means “butler/irrigation/drink/cup-bearer.” I understand the 21st Hebrew letters of “s” and “sh” are different, but they still use the same 21st letter that is even mixed in the alphabetical order of Psalm 119 (Psm 119 is alphabetized by the first Hebrew letter of its verses) (Psm 119:161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 168). From the “silent” and the “sackcloth” of Dammeseq/Damascus (H1834), translators get “silent is the sackcloth weaver.” But looking at all the words of (life) “blood,” “steward,” “butler,” “irrigation/drink” (like Living Water), and “running to and fro” (Jhn 3:8), we have words and phrases in the name ‘Eli’ezer Dammeseq/Damascus pointing toward the HOLY SPIRIT as the Servant.
As there is the FATHER and the SON, the mother can be shown to represent the HOLY SPIRIT (See The LORD).
We need to understand some things about right and left, so between the white lines below is a section from THyt.
The heart has blood with death/carbon/C/carbon-dioxide/CO2 on its right side that is turned to blood with life/oxygen/O2 on its left side. If death is on the right side, why is the right side considered the place of favor and where you want to be (1 Pet 3:22)? Everything is moving from right to left and from death to life. YESHUA took upon HIMSELF our sin/uncleanness and died on the Cross and remained with that death for 3 days and 3 nights while HE was buried in ‘Aretz/the-Earth in She’ol/Hades (Mt 12:40). Then, YESHUA told Mary not to touch HIM because HE had not ascended to the FATHER (Jhn 20:17). Why was it ok for the disciples to touch YESHUA after HE went to the FATHER (Luk 24:39)? A person was not to touch something unclean (Lev 5:2). Before YESHUA went to the FATHER, HIS work had not been completely finish and HE was unclean (Zech 3:3, 4, 5). HE had not yet left the death of this world. YESHUA then went to the FATHER to sit at HIS righthand (Eph 1:20; Heb 10:12). This places the FATHER on the left of the SON. YESHUA is the only one of the FATHER, SON, and the HOLY SPIRIT that became unclean. The FATHER on the left has always been and will always be clean/holy. The righthand becomes a position of favor because YESHUA showed the greatest love by becoming unclean and dying for those HE loves, which is all of mankind (Jhn 15:13; Heb 1:3, 4). A priest never sits because their work is never done (Heb 10:11). But, YESHUA, our High Priest, sat down to show HIS work was finished (Heb 10:12, 13, 14). A person who is a sinner/unholy/unclean on the right side will become clean through YESHUA/the-Door represented as the 4-chambered-heart (see Dalet) as they are moved through the Door/heart to the clean left side. This is why Psalm 109:31 states the needy/poor/destitute person who is saved is placed to the left while the LORD is at the right. A person who says they are not a sinner, thinking they are clean/holy/sinless, is placing themselves on the left clean side. The LORD says everyone has sinned and all their works are like filthy rags (Rom 3:23; Isa 64:6). The only time the left side of the the heart has death/carbon/C/carbon-dioxide/CO2 is when a person is dead and the heart is not pumping. So, a person who is a sinner/unholy/unclean on the left side is truly dead because there is no other direction for them to go except toward uncleanliness/death (Ecc 10:2). The person placing themselves to the left is calling GOD a liar and has no salvation from their sin (1 Jhn 1:10). A person must understand and admit they are unclean/unholy/sinful and they belong on the right side in need of a MASHIACH/MESSIAH/SAVIOR WHO sits at the right hand of the LORD waiting for all who will come to HIM that HE might make them clean through HIS death on the Cross (seen in the heart as you go from right to left) & resurrection from the dead (CO2 blood moving to O2 blood while going from the right to the left); then, YESHUA will stand at their right hand/side (putting them on the left clean/holy/sinless side) after having made them clean and truly alive (Heb 10:12; Psm 109:31).
Given all the above (depending if the betrothal is included in the wedding day), the trip/procession to the chuppah/huppah should follow the trip/procession the Church/Bride takes to the FATHER’s House of Heaven. So, four chairs should be placed side by side under the chuppah/huppah toward the back. The father and mother of the groom should be walking with the groom (dad on left, son in center, mom on right) down the aisle to be seated under the chuppah/huppah with the father seated to the far left of the direction the wedding party will be facing. This is to represent the chuppah/huppah as a representation of the heavenly House of one LORD WHO is FATHER, SON, and HOLY SPIRIT (See The LORD). The son should sit to the right of the father and the mother sit to right of the son. The extra chair is for the bride to represent the Church is already seated spiritually in Heaven according to Eph 2:6. Then, the groom’s guests should be seated (with the grandparents of the groom seated first) in front on both sides {or on the right side as facing the chuppah/huppah} and then grandparents of the bride and bride’s guest should be seated behind the groom’s guests {or on the left side}. Some are not going to like placing the groom’s guests in front of the bride’s guests. So, placing them on the {right or left} at least allows the groom’s guests to be on the same side as the groom’s father. Really, the bride’s family would not be at the wedding at all. They would have already had a betrothal celebration like the family of Rivqah/Rebekah did in Gen 24:54, before the bride leaves to go to the wedding. Remember the Bride’s family is the one she leaves behind on ‘Aretz/Earth (1 Thes 4:16, 17). So, if the betrothal is done with the wedding, all the groom’s guests should be seated first, then the bride’s guests, but as this is a wedding on earth representing the one that will happen in Heaven, you might just seat them as they come in. Then, the bride’s parents should bring the bride to the beginning of the aisle with the bride in the center and the her dad and mom on either side. Then, the groom will stand up with his mom and walk together a step or two away from the chuppah/huppah. The groom will then go and sit to the right of his dad while the groom’s mother will walk down the aisle to the bride. This is to represent the SON sending the SPIRIT to the Bride and the SON sitting at the right hand of the FATHER (Jhn 15:26; 16:7; Acts 2:33; Eph 1:20; Col 3:1). The bride’s parents will give the bride to the groom’s mother with the bride going to stand to the right of her. Then, the groom will walk down to the middle of the aisle to be announced by shophar/trumpet of his coming (1 Thes 4:16). At this time, the groom’s mother will walk the bride to the groom with the groom joining them by walking to the right of the bride. The wedding party will be following after the groom’s mother & bride. This is to represent the rapture of the Bride/the-Church through the SPIRIT by and for the SON, YESHUA, WHO will be in the clouds as explained in the 9th step of the 12 steps or the 6th step of the 8 steps of marriage. They will then walk under the chuppah/huppah to stand in front of the chairs with the groom’s mother sitting to the right of the groom’s father. The rest of the wedding proceeds till wedding step 7 (below in the reading) with the wedding party standing. At the beginning of step 7, the bride/wife will sit next to the groom’s mother and the groom will sit to the right of his wife. This is represent we will bodily sit with YESHUA on HIS throne as Rev 3:21 and also follows the right and left situation discussed in the last paragraph. I would suggest that an adjoining tent next to and behind the chuppah/huppah be a place for wedding step 8, but that might not be possible. Then, everyone goes to eat for wedding step 9 with the groom’s parents exiting first or last with the groom’s grandparents, and the husband and wife leading the wedding party followed by everyone else in orderly fashion. In Heaven, there will be no exiting, so this last exiting step/statement has no established procession.
(this is the 9th step of the 12 steps or the 6th step of the 8 steps of the marriage and part of the wedding as 3rd step)
Bride Circling the Groom Under the Chuppah/Huppah/Wedding-Canopy
(4th Step of Wedding)
(This section between the blue lines is also in the Marriage article.)
The bride circles the bridegroom seven times under chuppah/huppah. This seems to be an ancient custom. The chuppah/huppah is like the mountain under a thick cloud where the Sons of Yisra’el/Israel said “we do” to the LORD (Ex 19:8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20; 24:3, 7). They also circled Mount Sinay/Sinai before saying “We do” [ref] [ref]. The bride coming to the groom is like the Church coming to YESHUA as HE brings them into the clouds in the promised Kingdom of Heaven, which is also like when Yehoshua/Joshua brought Yisra’el/Israel into the Promise Land. When Yisra’el/Israel entered the Promise Land, they circled Yericho/Jericho seven times (Josh 6:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20). You can not see it in the English, but Yericho (H3405) is spelled two ways, Y-R-Y-CH-U or Y-R-CH-U. Y-R-CH is the Hebrew word (H3394) that means “Moon.” The “U” can be the suffix “HIS.” So, Yericho can mean “HIS Moon.” The Moon points to YESHUA as the LORD/GOD in the flesh of a man as discussed in the 7th step of 12 steps or 4th step of 8 steps of marriage.
The other spelling of Yericho/Jericho has R-Y-CH, which is the Hebrew word riach (H7306) meaning “to smell” or reach (H7381) meaning “fragrance.” The prefix/suffix of “Y-_-_-_-U” is “they will” or “they will be made.” So, the Y-R-Y-CH-U spelling can mean “they will be made fragrant” or “they will smell.” Also, with the circling of 7 times compared to the seven fold SPIRIT [ref], the Hebrew word for the SPIRIT of R-U-CH that is Ruach (H7307) comes to mind. The difference between R-U-CH for the SPIRIT and R-Y-CH for “fragrance” is a vowel; “U” represents a person, as in the Person of the LORD the SPIRIT [ref]; the Yod, “Y,” represents “the Body-of-YESHUA/the-Church being brought into the House/Tabernacle of the LORD in HIS presence, as represented by the arm/Yod, and to be joined with the LORD” [ref]. So, moving from the “U” of R-U-CH to the “Y” of R-Y-CH is like the Church being surrounded and filled with the SPIRIT. So, the circling of Yericho/Jericho 7 times can mean “the Bride/the-Church being brought into the House/Family of the LORD/YESHUA/the-Moon/the-Groom in HIS presence to be joined with and surrounded by the LORD the SPIRIT being made fragrant (in the righteousness of the LORD).” SS 8:9, 10 compares the bride/wife to a wall and Rev 21:2, 3, 14 shows how the Church/Bride also makes up the foundation with Rev 21:9, 10, 11, 12 also calling the Bride/Wife a wall. Yisra’el/Israel/the-Church circled the city of Yericho/Jericho 7 times and the walls of the city were brought down. So, as the bride is circling the groom, the walls set up against her are being broken down while at the same time the bride is being established as the foundation and wall of the new house/family that is being established in the union of the groom with the bride. We also find in the Song of Songs (which compares the groom with the LORD and the bride with the Church) the word for bride is written 7 times.
This step of the wedding was brought up in the 7th step of 12 steps or the 4th step of 8 steps of the marriage. The 7th day of the week is a day of rest called the Shabbat/Sabbath, and the 7th year is a year of rest for the land called the Shemiththah (Shemitah) (Ex 20:8, 9, 10, 11; Lev 25:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). A day is like a year (Lev 25:2, 3, 4; Num 14:34; Ezek 4:6). Both the day and the year are based off the Earth rotating/turning or going in a circle around the Sun. And, since the 7 years of a Shemiththah/Shemitah would be the Earth circling the Sun 7 times, we can see how this is like the Bride (Earth) circling the GROOM (Sun) 7 times. Since the day is like a year, the 7th day Shabbat/Sabbath is like the 7 year Shemiththah/Shemitah. We have been going over how the 6th Day of Creation is the 6th of the 8 steps of marriage (which is what this page is about). In the Timeline, it was explained how ‘Adam sinned the same day he was created because he had just named all the animals, then woman was made on the 6th Day, and then they sinned before ‘Adam gave his wife a name (the LORD and ‘Adam keep saying “the woman” as though she does not have a name, but the LORD states ‘Adam’s name instead of saying “the man”) (Gen 2:18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23; 1:27, 31; 3:6, 12, 13, 16, 17, 20). This means the verses of Gen 2:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 that contain the 7th Day Shabbat/Sabbath are right in the middle of the verses about the 6th Day of Creation (Gen 1:24, 25, 26, 27,28, 29, 30, 31; 2:7 to all the way through the 3rd chapter). It is like the 7th Day Shabbat/Sabbath representing the circling of the groom by the bride is being represented in the wedding of the 6th Day of Creation.
The whole chapter of Leviticus 16 is about Yom Kippurim (when Mosheh/Moses delivered the 2nd set of Two Tablets). The blood of the bull for the sin offering is for the High Priest and his family (Lev 16:11), and the blood of the goat for the sin offering is for the people of Yisra’el/Israel (Lev 16:15). In the steps of the process, Lev 16:18 combines the blood of the bull and goat together so all the Bride/Church is represented [Mishnah Yuma 5:4]. Then, we find in Lev 16:18 the blood representing the Bride circles/saviv/sabib (H5439) the golden-altar/altar-of-incense in the Holy Place [Mishnah Yuma 5:5]. This circling is only done once, but what is interesting is the Hebrew word for “circling” is exactly 7 words away from the Hebrew words for “seven times” (Interlinear: Lev 16:18 and Lev 16:19, Hebrew is read right to left. The Hebrew word for “circling” is the last word of verse 18.). The “circling” is seven words from “seven” if we include “circling” in the count. The “circling” is seven words from “times” if we exclude “circling” from the count. So, what is the golden altar that is being circled ‘seven times’? The blue part of this discussion of this step of the wedding will show that the golden-altar/altar-of-incense is a tabernacle representing YESHUA, the Tabernacle/Body of GOD, that is standing at the door (veil of the Holy of Holies, which is where the golden altar stands) (Jhn 10:7, 9; 14:6; Rev 3:20; 21:3; Jhn 1:14, the word “dwelt” (G4637) in Jhn 1:14 is “to-tent/tabernacle”). You can continue to the next part, if you do not want the details. But, all this means that there is a representation of the Groom being circled by the Bride in the wedding day of Yom Kippurim as established in the Exodus from Mitzrayim/Egypt.
These are the details: You will need to watch the Heaven and Hell Movie, as most of this material will be pulling from that material. The golden-altar/altar-of-incense is 1 cubit/’ammah wide and 1 cubit/’ammah long and 2 cubits/’ammatayim tall (Ex 30:1, 2). From the movie, you know the Holy Place is in the same shape as the golden altar, the golden altar is just scaled down and sitting vertical instead of horizontal. The golden altar is the only item in the Tabernacle that has dimensions that are in the same ratio as the Tabernacle/Holy-Place. The Holy Place is a representation of Geenna/Gehenna/Lake-of-Burning-Fire-and-Sulfur that is in the Earth and so is earthly/physical in nature. Also, in the article “The Flesh” (2nd part to “The Skull“) along with the movie, we can understand the Holy of Holies is cubed and is a representation of the City of Heaven that is a part of Heaven. As the Heaven is also the sky and spiritual represented by the sky, the golden altar could be seen as a complete Tabernacle with a visible physical Holy Place below and an invisible spiritual Holy Place above. Then, this golden altar tabernacle is standing in front of the veil/door to the Holy of Holies, the same veil/door that ripped when YESHUA died on the Cross to allow a Believer to enter into the presence/face of the LORD in the Holy of Holies that is/will-be the City of Heaven.
Also, it would take 7 months for the Bride as represented by the Moon to circle the body of the Groom as represented by the Earth. The LORD’s holidays start in the spring on the 1st month with Pesach/Passover (Ex 12:2, 3, 11), and Yom Kippurim is 7 months later in the fall (Lev 23:26), right on time for the Bride to be represented as circling the GROOM 7 times by the wedding day.
Why 7? Besides the 7 fold SPIRIT being involved, the Hebrew word for 7 is sheva’ (H7651). A Hebrew word with the same spelling but different memorized vowels is shava’ (H7650) that means “to swear/take-an-oath.” So, as the bride/wife is circling 7 times she is proclaiming an oath to be in union and a part of of the house of the groom.
Right at the beginning of Revelation we see 7 lampstands representing the Church/Bride circling the SON/GROOM (Rev 1:12, 13, 17, 18, 20). And Rev 3:20 states, “I stand at the door.”
(This step has been a part of the wedding since before YESHUA.)
(The “New Moon” section explaining better both CHRIST and the Church are represented by both the Earth and the Moon.)
Mikvah/Baptism
This is the added step more in line with the modern wedding events. To follow YESHUA’s teaching, the groom could wash the feet of his bride at this time, just as YESHUA washed the feet of the Apostles who are the foundation of the Church/the-Bride. The bride could also wash her groom’s feet in representation of her wanting to serve her husband (as the circle of the house/family has already been established in the previous step). (Jhn 13:14). This is really the 8th step of 12 steps or the 5th step of the 8 steps of marriage, and is covered more in that section.
Rev 7:14 speaks of a washing of the Bride’s clothes that goes along with this step.
(this is the 8th step of 12 steps or the 5th step of the 8 steps of the marriage)
Blessings of Betrothal (Kiddushin)
Every covenant has to be sealed with the blood of a sacrifice. We have many examples with one shown in Ex 24:4, 5, 6, 7, 8. It was the 3rd cup of wine (the cup of “I will redeem you”) after the Pesach/Passover meal that YESHUA said in Mt 26:27, 28 represented “HIS blood of the covenant” that is now taken as communion by Believers in YESHUA in their acceptance of HIS being their Groom/Husband (1 Cor 11:23, 24, 25, 26; Rom 10:9, 10) [ref: Pesach/Passover]. YESHUA asked Believers in HIM to drink the 3rd cup of wine in the Pesach/Passover to represent HIS blood of HIS sacrifice on the Cross for the sealing of the betrothal marriage covenant HE was and is making with the Believer that drinks the cup in agreement to that covenant (Mt 26:28; Mrk 14:24; Luk 22:20; 1 Cor 11:25). A glass of wine is shared between the groom and the bride to represent the sealing of their marriage covenant through the sacrificial blood of the Lamb of GOD, YESHUA.
Blessing for Wine: “Blessed are YOU, LORD our GOD, KING of the Universe, WHO creates the fruit of the vine.”
There is a Blessing of the Betrothal: “Blessed are YOU, LORD our GOD, KING of the Universe, WHO sanctified us through HIS commandments, and commanded us concerning the forbidden relatives, and prohibited to us those women who are betrothed, and permitted to us those women who are married by means of the chuppah/huppah and betrothal.
Blessed are YOU, LORD, WHO sanctifies Yisra’el/Israel by means of the chuppah/huppah and betrothal.” (Ketubot 7b:9)
A cup of wine/grape-juice is drank at this time by the groom and the bride.
This is the 1st cup in the modern wedding.
(This step is part of the betrothal set as an added step after the 7th & 8th step of the 12 steps of marriage.)
Vows
The vows are new to the modern wedding steps. Further in history, the ring would have been given right after drinking the 1st cup of wine [ref] [ref]. Should the vows be placed in the wedding? This still fits well with the 4th/5th/6th step of 12 steps or the 3rd step of the 8 steps of marriage, being the bride’s consent of “I do” with the drinking of the cup of wine as also being the bride’s consent.
(Below is just a sample of vows that can be used.)
Officiant: “__(husband)__, do you take __(wife)__ to be your wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect her whether in good fortune or in adversity, and to seek together with her a life hallowed by faith in YESHUA our LORD?”
Groom: “I do.”
Groom: :I, __(husband)__, take you, __(wife)__, to be my wedded wife. Together we will be vessels for our LORD’s service in accordance with HIS plan, so that in all areas of our life, CHRIST will have preeminence. Through the pressures of the present and the uncertainties of the future, I will be faithful to you. I will love, guide, protect, and be faithful to you as CHRIST does to HIS Body, the Church, and as long as we both are alive. According to Ephesians 5 and with HIS enabling power, I will endeavor to show to you the same kind of love as CHRIST showed the Church when HE died for her, and to love you as a part of myself, because in HIS sight we (are)/(shall be) one. With the deepest joy, I receive you into my life that together we may be one. Always will I perform my headship over you even as Christ does over me, knowing that HIS lordship is one of the holiest desires for my life. I will give you my deepest love, my fullest devotion, my tenderest care. I will live first unto GOD rather than others or even you. I will lead our lives into a life of love, faith, and hope in YESHUA ha’MASHIACH (JESUS the CHRIST). Ever honoring GOD’s guidance by HIS SPIRIT through the Word, and so throughout life, no matter what may lie ahead of us, I pledge to you my life as a loving and faithful husband.”
Officiant: “__(wife)__, do you take __(husband)__ to be your wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him whether in good fortune or in adversity, and to seek together with him a life hallowed by faith in YESHUA our LORD, forsaking all others and holding only to him forevermore?”
Bride: “I do”
Bride: “I, __(wife)__, take you, __(husband)__, to be my wedded husband. Through the pressures of the present and the uncertainties of the future, I will be faithful to you. I will love, serve, and obey you as long as we both are alive. CHRIST told us that the wife must submit herself unto her own husband as unto the LORD. For as CHRIST is the Head of HIS Church, so is the husband head of his wife. With the deepest joy, I come into my new life with you. As you have pledged to me your life and love, so I too happily give you my life, and in confidence submit myself to your headship as to the LORD. As is the Church in her relationship to CHRIST, so I will be to you,__(husband)__. I will live first unto our GOD and then unto you, loving you, obeying you, caring for you, and ever seeking to please you. GOD has prepared me for you, and so I will ever strengthen, help, comfort, and encourage you. Therefore, throughout life, no matter what may be ahead of us, I pledge to you my life as a loving and faithful wife.”
(This step is part of the betrothal as the 4th/5th/6th step of 12 steps or the 3rd step of the 8 steps of marriage.)
The Unveiling
(5th Step of Wedding)
Because it was after YESHUA’s sacrificial death on the Cross by HIS blood represented by the wine that the veil was ripped (Mt 27:50, 51), the unveiling should be after the 3rd cup of wine (noted as the 1st cup here in the modern wedding) but before the giving of the ring representing the seal of the SPIRIT (next topic). So, should the unveiling be before or after the vows? It is not till an unbeliever says “I do” and accepts the cup that they receive the SPIRIT. This leaves us with the unveiling being after the vows.
The LORD’s presence is given as “above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are over the ark of the testimony” (Ex 25:22) in the Holy of Holies behind the veil (Ex 26:33). This is the veil that was ripped in two when YESHUA died on the Cross as though He was removing the veil from those who would join the family of GOD and say “I do” to Him becoming their LORD/GOD/KING/Husband (Mt 27:51; Mrk 15:38; 2 Cor 3:16). So, it is the bride who veils herself as Rivqah/Rebekah did and the groom/husband who removes the veil at this time. It was only on Yom Kippur, the Wedding Day, that the veil to the Holy of Holies could be opened for the High Priest to enter (on behalf of the Bride/LORD’s-people/Church) before the presence of the LORD. So, we have the LORD as the Groom appearing to remove the veil from a bride represented in Mosheh/Moses on the day of Yom Kippurim after bringing the Ketubah/Ten-Commandments/Two-Tablets from the LORD; then, at that time the Covenant/Ketubah is read before the people (which is a step in the wedding below) (Ex 34:29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35; 35:1).
If we are looking at the unveiling of the bride from the perspective of the phases of the Moon (the Moon representing the Body-of-YESHUA/the-Bride), the dark-moon/astronomical-new-moon would represent being fully veiled and the first light of the Moon (actual New Moon) would represent the beginning of the unveiling. Since the 6th Day of Creation was also a Rosh-Chodesh/New-Moon (as established in the 9th step of 12 steps or the 6th step of the 8 steps of marriage), the wedding of the 6th day of Creation has the beginning of the unveiling represented in the Rosh-Chodesh/New-Moon. The phases of the Moon also have an interesting occurrence. The wedding day of Yom Kippurim is on the 10th day of the month. This would correlate to the phase of the Moon on the 10th day after Rosh-Chodesh/the-New-Moon. This photographer’s website shows the Moon phases for each day of the month. We are interested in the photos of a 73-79% Moon that falls on the 10th day of a lunar month. It is on the 10th day we can see the sun (that represents the face of YESHUA the Groom) that is on the Moon. We find that on the 10th day (same as Yom Kippurim wedding day) the veil of darkness is removed to see the face of the sun that is on the Moon.
If the 6th Day of Creation is about the wedding, where is the veiling and unveiling? The Sun’s corona looks like the iris of the eye during an eclipse, with the Moon looking like the pupil of the eye.
GOD is Light (1 Jhm 1:5). If we have seen YESHUA, we have seen the FATHER (Jhn 14:9). The Scripture, called the Word, allows us to understand GOD. YESHUA is the Word that has become flesh (Jhn 1:1, 14). It is through YESHUA that a person can focus and see the nature of the LORD GOD. The Moon represents the body of YESHUA from WHOM we understand GOD. The pupil of the eye is like the Moon. So, the pupil would also represent YESHUA in the flesh. It is through the pupil (Moon/Yeshua in the flesh) that a person can focus and see the colors (nature) of the light (the LORD) (Heb 1:3). The iris would be like the light of the Sun. The white light of the Sun has the colors of the rainbow, with the rainbow being a full circle [ref]. And the circle of the iris is made with the colors of the rainbow with the iris color being red, orange, brown, amber/yellow/gold, hazel, green, blue, or violet [ref]. From “The Skull” article, we learned the backside of YESHUA with HIS arms and hands held up crucified on the Cross can be seen in the Skull.
This would leave the place where the eyes are on the head in the position of the space/sky between the arms and the head/neck. So, we can see that the iris and pupil that represent the Sun and the Moon are in the area on the head that represents the sky where the Sun ad Moon are supposed to be. This means the white of the eyeball could be compared to the clouds in the sky. The eyelid then becomes a veil that is closed bringing darkness to the person closing them or opened to see the light representing the LORD. This means when the LORD caused lethargy/deep-sleep (H8639 from Gen 2:21) to fall upon Adam and Adam closed his eyelids in sleep, Adam veiled himself like a bride before the LORD/GROOM during the 6th Day of Creation wedding (Gen 2:21). Sleep represents death (Jhn 11:11, 12, 13, 14). So, just as YESHUA died on the Cross to open the veil/paroketh to HIS Bride the Church (Mt 27:50, 51), Adam symbolically died when he fell asleep to open the veil/eyelids to his bride, Chavvah/Eve (Gen 2:21, 22, 23, 24). This is why right after the event of Adam closing and opening his eyes Gen 2:24 speaks of the marriage/wedding of a man leaving his father and mother to be joined to his wife, a pronouncement of husband and wife after Adam and Chavvah/Eve where joined together in marriage. But, the first unveiling of Adam (represented as a bride) was by the LORD (represented the Groom) in Gen 2:7 when Adam/man was first brought to life.
The first word of the book of Revelation in the Bible is the Greek word apokalypsis which is where the English word apocalypse comes from. The word apokalypsis (G602) means “revelation” from where the book of Revelation gets its name, so the book could have been called Apocalypse. The word apokalypsis (G602) also means “to uncover/reveal/unveil.” A retranslation WhyAlive style of the first verse of the book of Revelation reads, “(The) Unveiling/uncovering/revealing/revelation (of) YESHUA/JESUS (the) CHRIST/MESSIAH which/that/who GOD gave/offered HIM to exhibit/show/point-out/make-known to-the/the servants/slaves/bond-servants of HIM what/who/which is/are necessary/inevitable/a-duty/proper to come-into-being/be-born/become/come-about/happen/come-to-pass/take-place in/with haste/quickness/speed/immediacy and HE made-it-known/signified-it/gave-a-sign-for-it having sent (it) through/on-account-of/because-of the angel/messenger of HIM to the servant/slave/bond-servant of HIM, John/Ioannes/Yochanan.” It seems Rev 1:1 could state, “The unveiling of YESHUA the CHRIST, which GOD gave HIM to exhibit HIS servants who are necessary to come into being with speed, and made it known having sent it through HIS angel to HIS servant John.” This sounds like a wedding unveiling of Believers/the-Bride by YESHUA the Groom done in haste with speed. This means Revelation/apocalypse is not something for the Believer to fear, but something to be excited about. This is the time of the unveiling and the wedding of the marriage of the LORD and HIS Bride, the Church (Rev 9:7, 8, 9).
(This step has been a part of the wedding since before YESHUA.)
The Ring
(7th Step of Wedding; 4th/5th/6th Step of the 12 Steps or 3rd Step of the 8 Steps of Marriage)
The groom states: “With this ring you are consecrated to me according to the laws and commandments of our LORD YESHUA.”
(This section between the white lines is also in the Marriage article about the ring.)
If you do an online search, you will find it is only in Jewish tradition that the groom places the ring on the bride’s right index finger [ref]. The ring is then moved to her left hand ring finger after the wedding, during or after the marriage supper. Some may say the ring (because of its value) is for the mohar/bride-price that was part of the betrothal, but I am not finding anything to support that idea. This is an ancient tradition that is not understood by the Jews, in fact they see no need for it [ref]. The first time we see a gold ring is in the betrothal of Yitzchaq/Isaac to Rivqah/Rebekah when the servant places a gold ring on her nose (Gen 24:22, 47). So, the question becomes how did we get from the nose to the right index finger? Let us start with the question of why the ring would be placed in the nose? The first time nose or nostrils is mentioned in the Scripture is when the LORD “breathed/blew in his nose/nostrils Breath (of) Life/living/alive and became the man onto living-flesh/nephesh/a-soul” (Gen 2:7). Ruach (H7307) is the Hebrew word for wind and spirit at the same time. It was also shown in the 1st step of the wedding that the LORD the SPIRIT, represented as wind, is being represented as a servant searching over the Earth for a bride (Gen 1:2). So, just as the LORD breathed or sent forth the the LORD the SPIRIT upon and within the nose of man/the-bride and joined with the dust/dirt of the Earth in a marriage of the LORD with man/formed-dirt to form a new living tabernacle/body/house/family, we see the servant of the father of Yitzchaq/Isaac placing a ring upon the nose of the bride to represent a marriage of the joining of the groom (that represents the LORD) with the bride (that represents the Church/man-with-GOD) to form a new living house/family/tabernacle. The circle has no beginning or ending point; just as, the LORD/GOD has no beginning or ending (Psm 90:2). The circle can be seen as having 1 side or an infinite amount of sides; just as, the LORD/GOD/YESHUA is called the Aleph (Alpha) and Tav (Omega), the First and the Last (Isa 44:6; 48:12; Rev 22:13). The circle of the Sun and the Moon also points to the LORD the SON as noted previously. From the Heaven and Hell article/movie: Gold increases in amount as you move from the Tabernacle/Temple courtyard toward the place to meet the LORD on top of the pure gold Covering-Over/Mercy-Seat between the pure gold wings of the keruvim/cherubim/angels in the Holy of Holies (Ex 25:1-27:21; 30:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 25:20, 21, 22). The City of Heaven is where the LORD will dwell/reside/encamp with HIS people (Rev 21:2, 3). And just like the Holy of Holies, the City of Heaven is made of pure gold (Rev 21:18) with a street of pure gold (Rev 21:21) and will be lifted up on a high mountain (Zech 14:10, 11; Isa 2:1, 2, 3; Ezk 40:2, 5). So, the gold is representing the Holy of Holies and the City of Heaven where the Church/Bride/Wife lives with the LORD/YESHUA/GROOM/Husband. The gold is representing the House/Family of the GROOM and the Bride. It is the groom/husband (who represents YESHUA) that is placing a circle (representing YESHUA and himself) made of gold (that represents the Family/House of GOD) in order to form a family/house with his bride/wife. So, we can see how the marriage can be represented in the placing of the gold ring upon the nose, how about the right index finger? The index finger is called in Hebrew the etzba’ (H676) [ref]. The Finger of GOD that wrote the Commandments on the 2 tablets of stone is also the Etzba’ (Ex 31:18; Dt 9:10). So, the Word/Scripture was brought forth by the Etzba’/Finger-of-GOD. We can see that YESHUA calls the LORD the SPIRIT the Finger of GOD by comparing Luk 11:20 to Mt 12:28. And, it was YESHUA, the Word in flesh, that was brought forth by the SPIRIT/Finger-of-GOD/Etzba’ (Mt 1:18). The bride represents the Church who is indwelled by the SPIRIT that is being represented by the bride’s right hand index finger, called the etzba’. The joining of the gold circle/ring representing YESHUA/the-Groom with the right hand etzba’ representing the SPIRIT WHO indwells the Church/the-Bride is establishing a new Godly family/house. We do not see the SPIRIT represented in the Scriptures as the Finger of the LORD until the LORD brings Yisra’el/Israel out of Egypt for the marriage/wedding at Mount Sinay/Sinai. There is another clue in the Ancient Hebrew. In Hebrew and nature, everything moves from the right to the left. Hebrew is read from right to left. Our blood is an example. The blood in our bodies moves as unclean deoxygenated blood on the right side of the heart to clean oxygenated blood on the left side of the heart. And, as man came from the earth and was raised into the Heaven(s)/sky/air, we are moving from the earth to the Heaven(s). The first 10 digits are the toes upon the earth. Then, as we move up to the Heaven(s) to count the next digits that are our fingers, we would count from right to left. The 14th digit from the right is the right hand index finger (called the etzba’). As the index finger is the 14th digit, it also points toward the 14th Hebrew letter Nun that has a meaning of “bring about continuation/increase through the seed/children of the family” [ref]. (The Ancient Hebrew section of this site was written almost 20 years ago, and I am just now seeing this for the first time. It is so cool, praise the LORD.) The image of the 14th Hebrew letter of Nun looks like below [ref].
n & N
The description of the image of the 14th Hebrew letter Nun is: a “pointing right finger & thumb ; right side of nose with eye” [ref]. Below are two forms of the same letter of Nun, with one form seen in the head and the other form seen in the hand.
The letter probably needs formed better to match the body, but the representation can be seen.
Notice, the part of the letter that is forming the right index finger is also the part of the letter that forms the right side of the nose. You may notice (as labeled above going from the earth to the Heaven(s); the hand to the head), the first letter is in the hand, and the final letter is in the head (YESHUA is the Head of the Body). But, the Scripture starts with placing the gold ring in the nose and then goes to the hand. From the ground/man to the Heaven(s)/LORD gives us the direction of how man is brought into the presence of the LORD from his fallen state within our perspective. From HIS perspective, the LORD is moving from the Heaven(s)/nose to the earth. If man is being represented as starting at the feet and the LORD is being represented as starting at the head, the hands are where the LORD meets man in the middle. At the beginning, we were with the LORD represented with the head and nose when we received the Breath of Life in the nose; then, we fell in sin and death back into the ground at the feet (Gen 3:19). From there, the Scripture is showing us how we can get back to the Head through marriage to the LORD. The Etzba’/Finger-of-GOD at the hand being introduced into the marriage at the writing of the 10 Commandments at Mount Sinay/Sinai after the Exodus of Yisa’el/Israel from Egypt/Mitzrayim shows the covenant was not completely finished until we come to YESHUA, the Head of the Body.
Right after Adam’s eyes were first unveiled by the LORD in Gen 2:7, a river/living-water is talked Gen 2:11 about called Pishon (H6376) meaning “increase” that flows around the land of gold called Chavilah (H2341) meaning “circle.” That sounds like a ring of gold being symbolized. And, after the veiling and unveiling of Mosheh/Moses is explained in Ex 34:35, Mosheh/Moses ask the people to bring gold in Ex 35:5 of which rings, earrings, and bracelets of gold were brought for the LORD’s contribution (Ex 35:21, 22). With Rivqah/Rebekah, we find she received the gold ring before the veiling and unveiling of the wedding, which would move this step of the wedding to the beginning (Gen 24:22, 65).
The only rings of gold given by the LORD in Revelation seem to be the crowns of gold (Rev 4:4, 10). But, we did start at the nose and move to the index finger, so maybe this is the final gold circle. Though, the crowns are not gifts but for rewards according to the Scriptures about the crowns (1 Cor 9:24, 25; Jam 1:12; 1 Pet 5:1, 2, 3, 4; Rev 2:10; 3:11). Yet, the gold rings in the book of Exodus of the LORD’s contribution was also what was brought forth in action from the calling of the people, not a gift. Even in the case with Rivqah/Rebekah, she had to finish serving before she received the gold ring, even though she was not serving for anything (Gen 24:19, 20, 21, 22). If the gold crown is the gold ring, this would place the gold ring after the veiling by sin and unveiling the Holy of Holies by YESHUA’s death on the Cross. But, more in line with Rivqah/Rebekah, if the gold ring is a gift, it could be symbolically represented in the Believer being sealed by the SPIRIT for the day of redemption, like an engagement ring (Eph 1:13; 4:30; 2 Cor 1:22). In this case, the gold ring could be before or after the veiling and unveiling. It seems like there are 2 gold rings, like an engagement ring and a wedding ring. Or, more likely what is represented is the one gifted gold ring at the beginning of the marriage betrothal is of the ring placed on the bride’s right index finger (representing the sealing of the SPIRIT), and then the reward is still in the one ring but is about when the ring is moved to the bride’s left hand during the wedding (representing the gold crown). (more on the ring being moved below)
Note for a wedding: The ring may only fit half way on the index finger as the ring should be sized to the left hand ring finger (explained below). The ring fitting only half way down the index finger is fine.
(This ends the betrothal part of the marriage in a modern Jewish wedding)
Another note for a wedding: There is a new tradition of the bride placing a ring on the groom’s hand. I am not advocating for this; it is more like if they want a king, give them a king, if they want a ring on the groom/husband, give them a ring on the groom/husband. The symbolism does not match the same as it does for the groom placing the ring on the bride. If a couple feel they must have the husband wear a ring, the groom could place a gold ring from the bride on his left hand during or after the marriage supper. As it is written, the Believer in YESHUA will be refined like gold (Zech 13:9; 1 Pet 1:7), and Job states after being refined “I shall come out like gold” (Job 23:10). So, in YESHUA the Believer is like the gold ring, but only after the marriage is finished. To have the bride place a ring on the grooms hand during the wedding, technically two rings would be needed. The bride could place a silver ring on the groom’s right hand index finger after the groom places his ring on the bride. The idea is silver was given to the LORD as a ransom for the person to make atonement; and then that silver was used to make the supporting sockets of the sanctuary and the veil, and it was used to make the hooks and bands/rings for the pillars (Ex 30:12, 13, 14, 15, 16; 38:25, 26, 27, 28). The silver hooks and bands are representing the people of the Church/the-Bride. The bride would be placing a circle of silver, representing herself as made in the image of the LORD (the circle), upon the index finger that represents the SPIRIT that indwells the Church/the-Bride. Then, later during or after the marriage supper, the husband would remove the silver ring representing his wife and exchange it for the gold ring that would be placed by him on his left hand ring finger (should really be placed on his pinky finger). This would represent the wife/Church being made like gold by the husband/YESHUA. This goes well with the idea as you walk through the tabernacle to the Holy of Holies you are moving from a place of more silver to a place of more gold. And, after the word “silver” is first mentioned in the Scripture with ‘Avram/Abram, gold many times is preceded by silver (Gen 13:2; 24:35; 44:8; Ex 3:22; 20:23; and so on). If you go to the bottom section of this page when the bride’s ring is moved, you will find the symbolism of the left ring finger to help explain how the location of the ring would work with the symbolism (the pinky works better, but then the world will not understand, and the ring finger does work).
(The step above is part of the 4th/5th/6th step of the 12 steps or the 3rd step of the 8 steps of marriage. The gold ring though has been a part of the wedding since before YESHUA, and this step may be more about the final step listed on this page.)
The Reading of the Ketubah
(6th Step of Wedding)
I am unsure if the gold ring is to be given before the reading of the Ketubah or the Ketubah is to be read before the giving of the golden ring. The reason is the commandment/Ketubah to not eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is given in Gen 2:16, 17 after the circle of gold in Gen 2:11. But, right after the veil of Mosheh/Moses is talked about in Ex 34:35, the commandment/Ketubah of Shabbat/Sabbath is read in Ex 35:1, 2, 3 before asking for the LORD’s contribution of gold rings in Ex 35:4, 5.
(This section between the white lines is from the article of “The Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls of Revelation“)
Rev 10:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
YESHUA is the Strong Messenger (“angel” is messenger in Greek) WHOSE face shines as the Sun, WHO speaks as the Lion, and WHO is the KING over the Sons of Yisra’el/Israel and all men and Earth (standing over sea & land) (Rev 1:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18; 4:3; 5:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; 10:1, 2, 3). HE alone was able to open the 7 seals to the old scroll/contract HE now holds (a contract is written on both sides and sealed/unsealed during a transaction [Rev 5:1; Ex 32:15; 40:20; Jer 32:10, 11; Ezk 2:9, 10]). This open seller’s contract/scroll is of the LORD’s divorce and the enemy’s rights of rulership over the Sons of Yisra’el/Israel and the land they lost because of their turning from the LORD toward their adulteress sin and exposing their nakedness before other gods that are not gods (Rev 5:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; 10:2; Ezk 2:3, 9, 10; 16:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32; Jer 3:8). So, as sin is sweet in the mouth but deadly bitter in the stomach (Job 20:12, 13, 14), this opened scroll of lamentations, mourning, and woe (Ezk 2:10) is sweet in the time of Yechezqel (Ezekiel) before the bitter results of exile and slavery that are now understood (Ezk 3:1, 2, 3; Rev 10:8, 9, 10). But now, a new contract is spoken and sealed that is not written, for it is an eternal contract never to be opened just as the sand was placed as a perpetual statute that the sea not cross over to the land (Rev 10:3, 4; Jer 5:22). This eternal covenant/contract is established to divide between the clean (Saved) and the unclean (Unsaved), redeeming and separating Yisra’el/Israel, whom the believing gentiles are grafted into, from the world that no more sin be found in Yisra’el/Israel (the people and the land) with no more turning to the right or to the left just as the sea on the right does not cross to the left to the land that is separated from the sea (Gen 12:2, 3; Rom 11:11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27; Dt 28:14; Jer 5:22; 50:20; Rev 21:10, 27).
So, in Revelation we have a Ketubah being spoken forth.
(This is a sample of a Ketubah that can be used.)
On ___________, in _____________ in the United States, __(husband)__ and __(wife)__ declare before the witnesses assembled: “With hearts full of joy and awe we stand before the LORD our GOD, under the LORD’s chuppah of Shamayim, linking our past to our future and uniting our lives. We consecrate ourselves to one another in and by the LORD, entering into a sacred covenant of love, trust, and commitment. Promise to cherish, honor, and support each other, striving ever to be loving, tolerant, patient, honest, fair, and loyal partners. Respecting our differences and sharing our strengths, may we together with the LORD meet life challenges. May we always remember our sense of humor and may the LORD bless us with laughter that is ever present in our lives. By the LORD’s nurturing of this marriage, may our souls blossom, our talents flower, and our dreams bear fruit. United with the LORD and one another in body and spirit, we will weave a tapestry of celebration, sanctifying the cycle of our years and the seasons of our lives. As we work to walk in our LORD’s perfect will, may GOD protect and guide us on our life’s journey, blessing our hearts with happiness, our minds with wisdom, and our home with abundance and Shalom. May we always share these blessings with our loved ones and all those whom we meet”
in and by the name of our LORD GOD and SAVIOR YESHUA ha’Mashiach (JESUS the CHRIST).
GOD hates divorce (Malachi 2:13). __(husband)__ will be defined in this contract as “the husband”. __(wife)__ who was _(wife maiden)__ before this contract will be defined as “the wife”. “The husband” and “the wife” agree that the person, “the husband” or “the wife”, that causes divorce and the dissolution of their marriage will pay (an amount of money placed here) to the “innocent party” and relinquish to the “innocent party” all assets brought into the marriage and relinquish to the “innocent party” all assets earned during the marriage. If “the husband” consummates a relationship with another (woman or wife) or with a same sex partner, “the wife” is the “innocent party.” If “the wife” consummates a relationship with another man or with a same sex partner, “the husband” is the “innocent party.” If neither “the husband” or “the wife” consummate a relationship with another person outside their marriage, “the husband” or “the wife” not filing for divorce is the “innocent party.” If “the husband” fails to supply “the wife” with food, clothing, necessities of life, and conjugal needs, “the wife” is the “innocent party” as long as “the wife” did not cause a long term separation of “the husband” and “the wife”. If “the wife” causes a long term separation of “the husband” and “the wife” and “the husband” fails to supply “the wife” with food, clothing, necessities of life, and conjugal needs, “the husband” is the “innocent party.” A sin placing the other spouse in danger is legitimate grounds for separation as long as the same sin continues with the “innocent party” being the person sinned against with same sin.
Husband name
_________________________________________________
Wife name
__________________________________________________
Witness
__________________________________________________
Witness
__________________________________________________
(Notice 2 or 3 witness are required as per Dt 17:6; 19:15; Mt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1)
(This step has been a part of the wedding since before YESHUA.)
Certificate of Marriage
(If you are using this info for an actual wedding, you will want to sign this if you have not already. This is really part of the ketubah.)
The Seven Blessings (Sheva B’rachot)
(2nd & 8th Step of Wedding)
Right after the reading of the covenant/ketubah in Ex 20:1 to Ex 23:19, there is a list of 7 blessings in Ex 23:25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and a sacrifice afterward in Ex 24:5, 6, 7, 8 with a marriage supper (a step coming up) in Ex 24:9, 10, 11. (The 7 blessings are: 1- blessing your bread and water; 2- removing sickness/disease; 3- no one will miscarry or be barren/sterile; 4- you will live out the full number of days; 5- the LORD’s terror will be on your enemies to turn them away; 6- the LORD will drive out your enemies before you; 7- your land border will be established.) The sacrifice after the blessing is to confirm the blessing as part of the covenant with blood/wine. So, after the 7 blessings of the wedding are stated a glass of wine is shared between the groom and the bride. Ex 23 would explain why the Jewish wedding has the 7 blessings located at this point in the wedding [ref]. Mosheh/Moses does bless Yisra’el/Israel in Ex 39:43, which is after the veiling and unveiling and gold rings of Exodus 35. But, there is no list of 7 blessings, and there is no sacrifice after the blessing listed. The 7 blessings are listed in Gen 1:28 when the LORD states HE blessed (H1288) man. (The 7 blessing are: 1- being fruitful, 2- multiplying, 3- filling the Earth, 4- ruling the Earth, 5- ruling over the fish, 6- ruling over the birds, 7- ruling over all that moves on the land.) This is listed almost at the beginning of the wedding events unless we are to assume the blessing was after the LORD created both man and woman as explained from Gen 1:27, placing the blessing some time after Gen 2:22. The 7 blessings pattern in Scripture seems to be that the 7 blessings are listed in writing at the beginning of events related to the wedding with the blessings stated later (without being listed) after the commandments/covenant/ketubah is read. This pattern can also be seen when Yisra’el/Israel comes into the Promise Land. Dt 28:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 has a list of blessings to be read later in the Promise Land with 7 “bless you.” Then, we have the circling of the bride around the groom seven times represented in Yericho/Jericho (Josh 6:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20). Then in Josh 8:33, 34, the blessings are read at this point after the commandments/ketubah are read, but again the blessings are not listed in the reading. Also for Josh 8:33, the sacrifice is listed in Josh 8:30, 31 before the reading of the commandments/ketubah and the blessings.
Below are the standard 7 wedding blessings. In Sephardic tradition, a parent often wraps the bride and groom in a tallit (prayer shawl) before the recitation of the blessings.
“Blessed are YOU, LORD our GOD, KING of the Universe, WHO creates the fruit of the vine.”
“Blessed are YOU, LORD our GOD, KING of the Universe, WHO has created everything for HIS glory. (Ketubot 7:12-8:1)
“Blessed are YOU, LORD our GOD, KING of the Universe, Creator of mankind. (Ketubot 8:2)
“Blessed are YOU, LORD our GOD, KING of the Universe, WHO made mankind in HIS image, in the image of the likeness of HIS form, and out of HIS very self formed a building for eternity (See Gen 2:22). Blessed are YOU, LORD, Creator of mankind.” (Ketubot 8:3)
“May the barren city of Yerushalayim/Jerusalem greatly rejoice and delight with the ingathering of her children within her in joy. Blessed are YOU, LORD, WHO gladdens Zion through her children.” (Ketubot 8:4)
(*) “Bring great joy to these loving friends, as YOU gave joy to YOUR creations in Eden in ancient times. Blessed are YOU, LORD, WHO brings joy to the groom and bride.” (Ketubot 8:5)
“Blessed are YOU, LORD our GOD, KING of the Universe, WHO has created joy and gladness, groom and bride, delight, rejoicing, happiness, jubilation, love and brotherhood, shalom and friendship. Soon, LORD our GOD, may there be heard in the cities of Yehudah/Judea and in the streets of Yerushalayim/Jerusalem the sound of joy and the sound gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride, the joyous sounds of grooms from their wedding canopy and of young people from their feast of song (See Jer 33:11). Blessed are YOU, LORD our GOD, WHO makes the groom rejoice with the bride.” (Ketubot 8:6)
(*) (this is a suggested replacement) “Blessed are YOU, LORD our GOD, KING of the Universe, WHO has created joy and gladness, groom and bride, delight and rejoicing, happiness and jubilation, courage and brotherhood, love, faith, and hope, song and humor, shalom and companionship, kindness and goodness, faithfulness and temperance, gentleness and patience, amusement and pleasure, food and drink, abundant life and health, and has given us the SPIRIT of the LORD, Wisdom and Understanding, Counsel and Strength, Knowledge and the Fear of the LORD. LORD we pray you help both __(husband)__ and __(wife)__ to bring forth into their lives in and through YOUR Name for YOUR glory these gifts in abundance you have blessed them with in the SPIRIT as adopted children of YOUR Kingdom (See Eph 1:3). And, help them to give up self and sanctify and cleanse one another through the Word and through prayer and actions by the SPIRIT’s leading that they would bring glory and honor to YOU LORD, that they may be holy and blameless examples of the relationship the Church is to have with YOU LORD. Children are a gift from YOU LORD, may YOU bless __(husband)__ and __(wife)__ with a quiver full and with patience and loving endurance to raise them to know YOU and to love YOU LORD, and may their children bring joy and gladness to YOUR heart LORD and to theirs. We thank YOU, LORD our GOD, that there is heard in the cities of Yehudah/Judea and in the streets of Yerushalayim/Jerusalem the sound of joy and the sound gladness, the sound of the groom and the sound of the bride, the sound of those who say, ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Hosts, for the LORD is good, for HIS lovingkindness is everlasting.” Soon, LORD our GOD, may there be heard voices of joy and gladness in the City of Heaven from both GROOM and Bride for the union of YOUR people. Blessed are YOU, LORD our GOD, WHO makes the Groom rejoice with the Bride. In the name of YESHUA, Amen.”
A glass of wine would be shared between the groom and the bride at this time.
This is the 2nd cup in the modern wedding.
This cup is represented through the 4th cup of the Pesach/Passover, the “I will take you” cup. After taking the 3rd cup, YESHUA stated HE would not drink wine again until Believers are brought into HIS FATHER’s Kingdom, Heaven (Mt 26:29; Luk 22:18). This is because HE drank the 3rd cup for the marriage betrothal, but HE was waiting until the wedding in Heaven to drink the 4th cup of wine. There are actually 7 “I will” promises in Ex 6:6, 7, 8. The 5th promise of “I will be your GOD” I believe applies to the wedding as well because the 4th and 5th promises are of the GROOM and the Bride being together. But, as the human husband is only representing the LORD and not a god, the 4th cup will for the earthly wedding be the “I will take you cup.” And, the 4th (and maybe also 5th) cup in the heavenly wedding is more likely the “I will take you and I will be your GOD” cup(s).
(These steps have been a part of the wedding since before YESHUA. The order we are choosing to line up more with Scripture is the 2nd step of the wedding being the listing of the blessings in writing with the 7th step being the speaking forth the blessings.)
Breaking of the Glass
This is a new step created by the Jews. This is done to represent the destruction of the Temple. This is not a suggested step.
Yichud: Private Reflection
(9th Step of Wedding)
“By the authority of YESHUA our LORD GOD, KING, and SAVIOR, and the authority vested in me by the State of ____________, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
“You may kiss the bride.”
The groom and bride have alone time in a private room. This is where the groom kisses the bride privately. The marriage would have actually been consummated in the past at this point before coming back and joining the party.
We can see this step of the wedding when Ya’aqov/Jacob went in to Le’ah or when Yitzchaq/Isaac took Rivqah/Rebekah into his mother’s tent (Gen 29:21, 22, 23; 24:67). This is also represented in the High Priest entering the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippurim. In Gen 1:24, the man is spoken of as becoming one flesh with his wife while in the nude according to Gen 2:25. Of course in Revelation, the City of Heaven comes down on the Earth and YESHUA tabernacles/dwells with HIS Bride the Church within this new Holy of Holies (Rev 21:2, 3).
(This step has been a part of the wedding since before YESHUA.)
Marriage Feast/Supper
(10th Step of Wedding?)
Above was a long section about how good fasting is, yet the wedding is finished up with food, which is not eaten on Yom Kippurim. We have also listed this step with the next step of the marriage, which is 7 days long. But, the Marriage Feast/Supper also seems to be part of the wedding that continues on for 7 days, as will be explained in the next marriage step. So, why add food that represents sacrifice for sin to end the wedding after the Bride/Church is already clean and sinless at this point after the true wedding in Heaven occurs? There was food to eat in the garden at the beginning before we sinned, and there is still food in Heaven after Believers get there (Gen 2:16; Rev 22:2). Rev 19:9 speaks of the Marriage Supper that is to take place in the Heaven(s). The word supper (G1173) suggest this is a meal toward evening. And, as was brought up already in the bride circling the groom step, it was most likely the evening of the 6th Day of Creation when ‘Adam and his wife ate the forbidden fruit. And, it is right after the Scripture speaks of the man becoming one with his wife that eating food is brought into the picture in Gen 3. There is no mention of eating any of the feast listed in Gen 2:9, 16, and they had not eaten from the Tree of Life according to Gen 3:22. Yes, it looks like ‘Adam and his wife had the forbidden fruit as their marriage supper toward the evening of the 6th Day of Creation. That does not seem like something we would want to remember. So, why would we want to have a marriage supper? This question also leads us to another question. The Temple explained in Ezekiel chapter 40 to 47 is way bigger than anything that has existed and is bigger than what could even be built on the Temple Mount at this time [ref] (Ezk 40:5; 42:16, 17, 18, 19, 20; 6 x 500 = 3000 royal cubits = 5100 to 5150 feet) (royal cubit estimated to be 20.4-20.6 inches [ref]). This is a future Temple that YESHUA builds when HE comes back (Zech 6:12, 13). Why are there sacrifices after YESHUA comes back to reign on Earth (Ezk 40:38, 39, 41, 42; 42:13; 43:18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27; 44:11, 27, 29; 45:15, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25; 46:2, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20; Rev 20:4, 5, 6)? Sacrifices never did and never will take away sin (Heb 10:4). Before YESHUA died and arose, sacrifices were a representation of what would occur (Heb 10:1, 2, 3). Now that YESHUA has already died and arose, sacrifices are a reminder of what did occur. Even with Communion, Believers are eating bread and drinking wine to remember YESHUA’s death and what was accomplished on the Cross (1 Cor 11:24, 25, 26). YESHUA has in HIS hands and feet eternal marks of the Cross (Jhn 20:25, 27). And, even in the end, we will be able to look upon those who are in the Lake-of-Fire/Hell (Isa 66:24). The Marriage Supper then is a remembrance of the sacrifice YESHUA went through for our sin and its death in order for us to enter into a marriage covenant with HIM. It is a celebration of Salvation knowing the food that represents HIM was sacrificed to bring us eternal life from what would have been eternal death (Mt 25:46).
A blessing for the food if you are using this for a real wedding:
“Blessed are YOU, LORD our GOD, KING of the Universe, WHO nourishes the whole world in goodness, kindness, and compassion. HE gives bread to all flesh, for HIS mercy endures forever. And, through HIS great goodness we have never lacked, nor will we lack food forever, for the sake of HIS great Name, YEHOVAH. For, HE is GOD, WHO nourishes and sustains all, and does good to all, and prepares food for all HIS creatures which HE created. Blessed are YOU, LORD, WHO nourishes all. We thank YOU LORD for blessing us with food and drink today and all the blessings YOU have showered upon us, and we especially thank YOU for bestowing on us every blessing from Heaven and suffering the stripes of the whip and death on the Cross for all of our curses from our sins to have a marriage relationship with us, even though we don’t deserve a place in YOUR House. Praise forever be to YOU and blessed are YOU, YESHUA, KING of the Universe, Amen and Amen.”
The wedding of Creation took place toward the end of the 6th Day of Creation. As a day = 1000 years, and the Wedding in Revelation is spoken of as occurring before the 1000 year reign of YESHUA that occurs in the 7th 1000 years after Creation (Rev 19:9; 20:5, 6); then, the Wedding in Revelation is occurring at the end (toward sunset; supper) of the 6th 1000 years. So, the two events align with each other.
(This step has been a part of the wedding since before YESHUA.)
Moving the Ring
(7th Step of Wedding)
This is a continuation of “The Ring” step above.
In the modern wedding, this is a step after the wedding [ref]. The husband moves the wife’s gold ring to the left ring finger. When the gold ring is moved from the right hand to the left hand it is like when the LORD stands to the right of the Believer/Bride who was in need of being lifted up or cleansed as Psm 109:31 states. The Believer, like the blood in the heart, is moved to the left and made clean [ref]. The ring is moved to the left hand ring finger, which is the 19th digit pointing toward the 19th Hebrew letter of Quph, which has a meaning of a complete cycle [ref]. This moving of the ring finishes and completes the marriage process/cycle. By the groom doing this, he is making a promise to lift his wife up in words and actions, to sacrifice of himself that she would walk a holy and blameless life, to read and teach the Word into action within their home, to bring glory and honor and praise to our LORD and GROOM/Husband, YESHUA (Eph 5:25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33).
Since YESHUA is represented in the ring, how can HE be symbolically to the right of HIS Wife/the-Church in the left hand? The answer is the 19th-digit/9th-finger is to the right of the 20th-digit/10th-finger, and we can see how the 10th finger can represent the Family of the LORD by looking at the 10th Hebrew letter of Yod [ref]. By looking at the representation of the 19th-digit/9th-finger and the 20th-digit/10th-finger through the lens of the Hebrew letters, we find YESHUA is in the Church and the Church is in YESHUA with each of them to the right and left of each other. This is as though YESHUA/the-Husband and the-Church/the-Wife are facing each other with each of their right sides next to each of their left sides.
There is a section at the bottom of the wedding article about when to plan for a wedding. It was added there (instead of here) because there is more to read about the marriage before considering the timing of planning a wedding.