Did You See God at the Wedding?
From Sydney to Stockholm, Seoul to Santiago, they watched, glued to screens for a seemingly magic, even fairy-tale moment—the marriage of a real royal prince to his bride. This occasion, carried off with an elegance that only the British can achieve so impeccably, held much of the world spellbound for a moment.
In a world in which the dark side of humanity is on perpetual display, at a time of unparalleled uncertainty and instability, the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton on April 29 was a rare and much-welcomed moment of unity and tranquility, of hope and joy. For a fleeting moment, 2 billion people—nearly one third of mankind—set aside pride and prejudice, and witnessed human civilization at its best.
Why? It seems there’s something in the human makeup that instinctively longs for ceremony, pageantry, and displays of regal splendor. But just what is it about Britain that holds the attention of the world on such an occasion as the wedding of Catherine Middleton to Prince William? Royal weddings elsewhere don’t attract any significant international attention. Why, out of the 196 nations in the world, does such an occasion in one of its smaller island landmasses, largely isolated from the great continents, appear so unique?
To truly understand, one has to look to the true source of the ancient ceremony and pageantry surrounding this royal wedding.
The Source of the Ceremony
The British people can make a unique historical claim. Not only did they preside over the greatest empire in humankind’s history, but they brought a unique gift into every land they inherited within that empire: the Holy Bible. The British and Foreign Bible Society oversaw the translation, publication and distribution of that book into every principal tongue known to man (article, page 22).
Within the pages of that book, the true source of British royal ceremony is revealed. It all tracks back to a unique building, a tabernacle, the design of which was inspired by the Creator of man, documented by the patriarch Moses, and preserved for posterity in the biblical book of Exodus.
The colors of British royalty are sourced in that tabernacle, as are the colors of its national flag, the Union Jack. The sense of ceremony that later became associated with Davidic royalty is rooted in the same source, finding its most glorious architecture in Solomon’s temple. That same concept of ceremony has evolved into the current-day expression of British royal occasions. Any genuine study of history proves this fact. Our free book The United States and Britain in Prophecy is a good place to start such a study.
Though God gifted this process of royal ceremony to the nations of Israel, He gave a special responsibility to the nations of Judah and Ephraim to carry on and to spread the influence of those traditions. The documented lineage of Queen Elizabeth ii proves that the House of Windsor holds to those general traditions to this day. It was, in fact, vestiges of Davidic ceremony and pageantry that were on display in London, and especially Westminster, on the wedding day.
We live in a world yearning for answers, for solutions—to our failing economies and governments, to our dissolving marriages and families, to our self-destructive creeds and cultures, to the widespread depression and to the yawning poverty of faith and hope. On April 29, the solution to these problems came in the form of a royal wedding. To grasp this solution, we must have the depth of mind to look past the pomp and pageantry, the elaborate decor, the dress, the celebrities, and even the character and conduct of those in attendance—including the priests and royal patrons.
Seeing the solution is simple, really: All we have to do is consider the truth embodied within the hymns and anthems, the customs and practices, the prayers and supplications.
What 2 Billion People Heard
Take the words, sung by the choir, which accompanied Catherine Middleton as she walked down the aisle. “Jerusalem is builded as a city: that is at unity in itself. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls: and plenteousness within thy palaces.” Written 3,000 years ago by King David, one of the greatest songwriters of all time, and canonized in the 122nd Psalm, these words foretell the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, at which point the city of Jerusalem will become the headquarters of God’s Kingdom.
Dwell on that for a moment. On the day of this wedding, 2 billion people witnessed Catherine Middleton glide down the aisle to music that prophesied of a time when Jesus Christ will return and then rule from Jerusalem!
After the bride found her place beside Prince William, the cavernous halls of Westminster Abbey resonated with the sound of 1,900 guests singing a hymn written by Welsh preacher William Williams. “Guide me, O thou great Redeemer, pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but thou art mighty; … Open now the crystal fountain whence the healing stream doth flow; let the fiery cloudy pillar lead me all my journey through; strong Deliverer, be thou still my strength and shield.”
What a moving sight: Nearly one third of humanity watching as the congregation recalled in unison the story of the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt, and even more, the spiritual journey from Egypt that God plans for all mankind to take in due time!
Meaningful Vows
Following the hymn, the dean of Westminster began the ceremony by telling the world it was witnessing two people embrace an institution created by God Himself. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God … to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted by God Himself, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and His Church …” (emphasis ours throughout).
Imagine that, 2 billion people being told that marriage was “instituted by God Himself,” and that it is a physical type of the imminent union of Jesus Christ and His Church!
Next, the archbishop of Canterbury presided over the exchange of wedding vows. “William Arthur Philip Louis,” his baritone voice echoed soberly, “wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together according to God’s law in the holy estate of matrimony?” Once again, it was a glimpse into the supreme Mastermind behind the creation of the marriage institution, and the truth that God created laws of marriage and family that, when embraced, result in blissful, uplifting, unbreakable lifelong relationships.
After the exchange of vows and the ring, the bride and bridegroom knelt before the archbishop as he prayed. “O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the author of everlasting life, send thy blessing upon these thy servants ….” To many, it was a hollow prayer performed more as a matter of routine than an act of genuine faith. Despite the deeply flawed medium via which it was delivered, the truth embodied in that prayer is accurate! Prince William and Catherine, Queen Elizabeth ii and most of those in attendance and watching via screen—and even the archbishop himself—may not believe it, nevertheless, God is indeed the “Creator and Preserver of all mankind.” And as the “Creator and Preserver of all mankind,” God has the ability, and the intense desire, to solve our problems—if we would only embrace Him and follow His instructions!
After his prayer, the archbishop joined the hands of the bride and groom and repeated the words of Jesus Christ: “Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder.” If mankind would only respect and apply that instruction, it would go a long way to preventing divorce and family breakdown!
Instruction in God’s Plan
Next, the choir sang “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” an 18th-century hymn composed by Charles Wesley, the theme of which is the attainment of spiritual perfection. Following the hymn, the royal couple was addressed by James Middleton, the brother of the bride, who recalled the words of God through the Apostle Paul in Romans 12. “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship ….” The words fell on the deaf ears of an audience consumed with the worship of self before God. Nevertheless, this is the solution to our problems. If you want happiness and contentment, peace and prosperity, then give your life over to God—over to observing His law!
Next, the choir sang another hymn, the words of which were taken, yet again, from the Psalms. Following this, the world listened to a performance of Paul Mealor’s “Ubi Caritas,” a motet sung in Latin, with words taken from 1 John 4. Then another prayer was offered, this one based on Jesus Christ’s prayer in Matthew 6.
Afterward, the world watched as the congregation, and hundreds of thousands watching from the streets of London, united in a stirring, tear-inducing rendition of “Jerusalem,” a poem originally composed by the 19th-century poet William Blake. Embodied within the song is the story of Jesus Christ’s journey to England as a young boy, and more significantly,His Second Coming at which time the headquarters of God’s Kingdom shall be established in Jerusalem! It was quite a sight: celebrities like David Beckham, Elton John and Guy Ritchie uniting in voice with Queen Elizabeth, Prime Minister Cameron and tens of thousands of onlookers, singing a hymn about Jerusalem and the coming Kingdom of God. They didn’t know it, but they were singing the solution to mankind’s problems!
Following “Jerusalem” there were more prayers, and more hymns and anthems, all of which included profound words giving insight into the mind and plan of God. Finally, when Prince William and his wife departed, it was to the rousing bellow of trumpets. This, too, was a reminder of Britain’s ancient and glorious heritage. In ancient Israel, the trumpet played a unique and important role. It was an instrument employed in war and celebration—and a vital component of all the major ceremonies, including coronations and royal weddings.
From start to finish, the royal wedding was powerful and moving instruction in the mind and plan of God!
The World Needs It!
The world has a hunger for such instruction—though the masses remain ignorant of the source of that hunger and the reason for it. Simply put, this world needs a Savior, a royal Savior! It hungers and thirsts for such amid all its wars, woes, the destructive force of wind, rain, fire, earthquake, tsunami and nuclear nightmare. It especially yearns for such when its peoples become subject to the tyranny of so many false “saviors,” as they have too often throughout history!
It was that longing that was on display, globally, during the royal wedding. That is why the world was drawn to the television screens, watching enamored of the ancient pageantry and ceremony.
Humankind has a gnawing hunger for someone to tell them who they are, why we are here on planet Earth, where we are going, just what is the true reason for human life and the ultimate destiny of humankind.
To the liberal, the socialist, the republican and the atheist in our midst, the British royal family is an anachronism that ought to be committed to the dustbin of history. The enchantment of a global audience of multiple billions watching in fascination the joyfully regal display of the royal wedding puts the lie to that.
The great overarching reality is, simply put, that mankind subconsciously yearns to be guided and governed by an authority that would produce all the blessings, the peace and happiness of which the masses are largely deprived. The occasional British royal wedding gives, humanly, a glimpse of the best of that of which the English-speaking peoples were once seen capable of fulfilling. A glimpse of, as Sir Winston Churchill put it, the prior capabilities of “the last best hope for mankind.”
Sadly, the prospects of fulfilling that “last best hope” faded with the demise of the British Empire, to be only briefly and spasmodically revived under a mere handful of U.S. presidents during America’s postwar rise to power.
Yet, far above all that, the Supreme Being does have a definite plan for all who ever have or who will yet be born of woman. It is a royal plan of a level far greater than any human being can imagine. It involves the preparation of all humankind to inherit, in common, a royal inheritance of unimaginable proportions. It is the very inheritance that a supreme, universal governing Father has gifted to His Son, the Savior of mankind, to share with all who will willingly subject themselves to His rule.
A Gift to Mankind?
Though few realized it, the details of the royal wedding contained life-changing knowledge that, if applied, would help solve problems! Of course, the instruments via which this message was communicated were hardly perfect. To be sure, the character and conduct of the royal family—and the representatives of the Anglican Church—as with all human beings, is deeply flawed. Nevertheless, behind the pomp and pageantry, the celebrity, the hats and tails, the hypocrisy and the faithless and morally impoverished behavior of some, was a message about God, His nature and His wonderful and inspiring plan for mankind!
If you believe this, then you have to wonder: Was the royal wedding an inspiring gift from God to a hopeless world?
The execution was virtually flawless. Prior to the wedding there were threats of disruption, and even attacks, from both radical Islamists and anti-royalist republicans. In the end, the day could hardly have gone more smoothly. There were no major disruptions; in fact, out of the million or more people who flocked to London, fewer than 100 were arrested. The usually rowdy British were calm, respectful and orderly. Whether it was logistics, security, the cars and carriages, or the buildings and adornments, it all went off without a hitch.
Even the weather, as the media commentators noted, seemed miraculous. The day was supposed to be overcast and rainy, quintessential English weather. Yet, amazingly, when the radiant bride stepped from the car to enter the abbey, it was as if the sun got jealous: The clouds opened and the sun shone for the first time that day!
It’s up to you whether you believe God’s hand was guiding the material components of that flawlessly executed wedding. Not up for dispute, discussion or private interpretation, however, is the truth of God manifest throughout the moving and majestic ceremony.
Believe it or not, God was present at that royal wedding. He was there for you to see, to come to know, and to call upon for answers, for solutions, for hope!
What the world witnessed during that royal wedding was but a glimpse, in physical type, of its own future royal heritage. You can come to understand this great, timeless truth by requesting free copies of and studying our books The Key of David and The Incredible Human Potential. They contain a vision of your future that will give you tremendous hope amid a world of great confusion and strife, for they reveal a vision of royalty that is timeless, one which your Creator just yearns to share with you—forever!
