The marriage supper of the Lamb Revelation 19v9.
Following the marriage of the Lamb, we have the marriage supper of the Lamb, and based on the overall view of scripture these two events take place at different times and in different locations. First of all, we note, that in chapter 19 there are two suppers mentioned, and the contrast between the two could not be greater. The first mentioned in verse 9 "the marriage of the Lamb" is an event of Divine blessing. The second in verse 17 "the supper of the great God" is a time of Divine vengeance. However we are focused presently on this occasion of great blessing when the union of Christ and the church is presented to the invited guests of the great occasion. While the marriage of the Lamb takes place in heaven, I believe the weight of holy scripture would suggest that the marriage supper of the Lamb will take place on earth.
The concept of God sitting down with man, eating and drinking in a social event is first seen in Exodus 24v9-11; "then went up Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: and they saw the God of Israel, and there was under His feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in His clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel He laid not His hand: also they saw God and did eat and drink," This is the first picture of God and man eating together. Again in Psalm 23v5, David records "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies". The practice of the church which is called "the Lord's supper" in 1st Corinthians chapter 11v20, perpetuates such an event and elevates that simple meal to something of supreme spiritual value, as it prefigures the great marriage supper of the Lamb. The first occasion took place on Mount Sinai, the marriage supper of the Lamb will take place on the top of Mount Zion in Jerusalem when the Lord returns to earth. All this will become clearer when we tabulate the word pictures given by the Lord Jesus Himself to do with this event. We will see that He directly links the Lord's supper to the marriage supper of the Lamb; we shall also see that the event is directly linked to the setting up of His kingdom upon earth, at which many groups are in attendance. The following verses illuminate the whole scene:
- Matthew 8v11 - And I say unto you that many shall come from the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham & Isaac & Jacob in the kingdom of heaven." The word used for "sit down" is to "recline at table" and pictures a meal.
- Luke 13v28-29 - Says the same thing as above but adds "the prophets."
- Luke 14v12-24 - The story of the great supper. This was occasioned by the statement of one present "blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God." The ensuing parable of the great supper lays down the fact that there are conditions for an invitation to this great event.
- Luke 22v16-18 - In the context of the first institution of the breaking of bread, Jesus said "I say unto you, I will not anymore eat thereof until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he took the cup and gave thanks and said, take this, and divide it among yourselves: for I say unto you I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come."
- Luke 22v29-30 - "Ye are they which have continued with Me in My temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as My Father has appointed unto Me; that ye may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."
In Revelation 19v9 the angel instructed John like this, "Write, blessed are they that are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." The marriage takes place in heaven between the Lamb and His bride the church; the marriage supper of the Lamb takes place on earth to which many guests are invited. These guests are not part of the church, but they are nevertheless blessed by God. These would include Old testament saints and the vast number of saints saved during the period of the tribulation. An indication of this is given by John the Baptist, who understood these things, in John 3v29 "He that hath a bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth Him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice; this My joy therefore is fulfilled." John, the last of the Old Testament prophets and "the greatest of those born of women" described himself as the friend of the bridegroom.
The bride is wed to the bridegroom, and the guests join in the celebration. They are not part of the bride, but they are nevertheless blessed because they have been called to the greatest celebration that was ever called. The fact that many outside of the church are blessed by God is confirmed in Revelation 20v6 "Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection." The church. the bride of Christ holds a special place in the purposes of God. She was chosen before Israel was chosen (Ephesians 1v3) and she will forever hold that special relationship to Christ. The glorious picture here is that many others outside of the church will indeed be blessed as Christ sets up His kingdom on this earth. The marriage supper of the Lamb will be at the inauguration of the kingdom of Christ on earth, at which will be present the saints of all ages and will be an occasion of superlative joy.
Amazon bookshelf George Neilly
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