Ruben Zimmermann, «Nuptial Imagery in the Revelation of John», Vol. 84 (2003) 153-183
In this article is argued that the nuptial imagery of the Book of Revelation is not limited to chapters 19 and 21 but rather runs throughout the book. While the imagery is certainly most pronounced in the final part of the book, it also appears in the letters to the churches (bridal wreath in Rev 2,10; 3,11), in the scene depicting the 144,000 as virgins (Rev 14,4-5), and is encountered again in Rev 18,23 (silencing of the voice of bridegroom and bride) and Rev 22,17 (summons of the bride) at the end of the book. Thus the wedding metaphors can be seen as one of the structural patterns of Revelation as a whole directly in contrast to the metaphors of fornication.
defilement have been employed in the early Christian tradition since Paul in connection with conflicts over authority. According to 2 Cor 11,2-325, so-called "super-apostles" endanger the virginity of the communal bride through their incorrect teachings26. According to this linguistic construct, "virginity" stands precisely for the purity of teaching and the non-recognition of other authorities. In the context of Rev, this metaphoric tradition grants the expression "virginity" a deeper meaning, for the chosen ones are removed from the realm of power of the harlot. Further, the infrequent term molu/nw27 (defile) in Rev 3,4 has already been employed in the context of purity and originality of teaching (Rev 3,3). Instead, the exclusive affiliation with the Lamb is emphasized and illustrated with images of the betrothal. The varying elements of the imagery of Rev 14,1-5, such as virginity, immaculateness, the promise of the 144,000 to follow and the ransom of the first-born, form a sub-section in the metaphor of the wedding. The 144,000 elected are described in images of the wedding, meaning that the vision in Rev 14,1-5 can be seen as a anticipation of the wedding of the lamb. This wedding is then developed further in Rev 19,6-9 and Rev 21,2.9.
III. The voice of bridegroom and bride (Rev 18,23)
The author of Rev illustrates the fall of the city in Rev 18,21-24 with images from daily social life. Just like the sound of the mill, the voice and the song of the musicians will become silent. No more craftsmen will be seen, the light of the lamp will be extinguished and the voices of bridegroom and bride will no longer be heard in the city. It is striking that the short list of the fading pulse of life closes with the voice of the bride and bridegroom. Thus, it is to be assumed that the author intends to place a special emphasis on this image.