A. The Engagement period

espoused (2Co 11:2) For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. espoused (Mat 1:18-19) Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

(Mat 1:25) And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

1. Engagement involved the establishment of a marriage covenant.

2.By Jesus' time it was usual for such a covenant to be established as the result of the prospective bridegroom taking the initiative.

3.The prospective bridegroom would travel from his father's house to the home of the prospective bride.

4.There he would negotiate with the father of the young woman to determine the price (mohar) that he must pay to purchase his bride

B. The Separation period

1.From this moment on the bride was declared to be consecrated or sanctified, set apart exclusively for her bridegroom. She is legally bound to him, and as good as married.

2.As a symbol of the covenant relationship that had been established, the groom and bride would drink from a cup of wine over which a betrothal benediction had been pronounced

3.After the marriage covenant had been established, the groom would leave the home of the bride and return to his father's house. There he would remain separate from his bride for a period of time. This period of separation afforded the bride time to gather her trousseau and to prepare for married life.

4.The groom occupied himself with the preparation of living accommodations in his father's house to which he could bring his bride.

C. The Wedding period

1.At the end of the period of separation the groom would come to take his bride to live with him. The taking of the bride usually took place at night. The groom, best man and other male escorts would leave the groom's father's house and conduct a torch light procession to the home of the bride

2. Although the bride was expecting her groom to come for her, she did not know the exact time of his coming. As a result the groom's arrival would be preceded by a shout. This shout would forewarn the bride to be prepared for the coming of the groom.

3.After the groom received his bride, would return from the bride's home to the groom's father's house. Upon arrival there the wedding party would find that the wedding guests had assembled already.

Prior to entering the chamber the bride remained veiled so that no one could see her face 4.Shortly after arrival the bride and groom would be escorted by the other members of the wedding party to the bridal chamber (huppah). Prior to entering the chamber the bride remained veiled so that no one could see her face. The bride and groom would enter the bridal chamber alone. There in the privacy of that place they would enter into physical union for the first time, thereby consummating the marriage

5.After the marriage was consummated, the groom would announce the consummation to the other members of the wedding party waiting outside the chamber (John 3:29). These people would pass on the news of the marital union to the wedding guests. Upon receiving this good news the wedding guests would feast and make merry for the next seven days

6.During the seven days of the wedding festivities, which were sometimes called "the seven days of the huppah," the bride remained hidden in the bridal chamber. At the conclusion of these seven days the groom would bring his bride out of the bridal chamber, now with her veil removed, so that all could see who his bride was.

(Rev 19:9-10) And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

 Daniel writes of the same subject in the Old Testament, just not as in detail as John  The reason for the lack of detail in Daniel is…

(Rev 22:8) And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. (Rev 22:9) Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. (Rev 22:10) And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

(Dan 12:4) But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end…

(Rev 1:1) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

(Rev 22:10) And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. (Dan 12:4) But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Argument #1 It is an Angel that is leading him and Daniel is not an angel.

Answer #1 but are as the angels of God in heaven (Mat 22:30) For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Argument #2 Why would God refer to him (Daniel) as a angel?

Answer #2 And the angel of the LORD appeared (Exo 3:2) And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. God called unto him out of the midst of the bush (Exo 3:4) And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.