The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
Introduction
The Bible teaches that just as the Lord Jesus Christ came over 2,000 years ago, He is coming again. After Jesus comes we will all (believers) appear at the Judgement Seat of Christ. Here Christ will evaluate the works done in the body of His Church. Then to follow will be the Marriage Supper of the Lamb where Jesus will present to Himself the Bride (the Church) Ephesians 5:27.
W. W. Wiersbe said, “in the Rapture, Jesus will catch us up, in the Judgement Seat, Jesus will clean us up, and at the Marriage Supper, Jesus will cheer us up.”
Note some of the truths surrounding the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
I. THE PRAISE FOR THE LAMB
In verses 1-6, 4 “Alleluias” or “Hallelujah.” Praise the Lord. Heaven’s Hallelujah Chorus.
“Five attributes ascribed to God provide the impetus for His praise. Salvation, glory (honor), and power to our God. Note the word “belong” since God has no need of acquiring glory or power, let alone salvation.” Paige Patterson
Later true and righteous.
Heaven’s Hallelujah Chorus will praise God for who He is.
Hebrews 13:15: “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”
“name” – character, attributes, nature
ILLUSTRATE:
“Oh so and so has made quite a name for himself.”
1. His Holiness
Psalms 30:4
“Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.”
2. His Goodness
Psalms 106:1
“Praise the Lord!
Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.”
“He’s a good, good Father
That’s who He is”
3. His Nearness
Psalms 75:1
“We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!
For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.”
His mercy, His love, His comfort, His peace, His joy, His forbearance, His grace, etc.
God is to be praised not only for His attributes but also for His mighty works. Not only for who He is but what He has done.
Isaiah 25:1
“O Lord, You are my God.
I will exalt You,
I will praise Your name,
For You have done wonderful things;
Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”
We should also praise Him for what He has given us.
For the rich blessings God has bestowed on His people. His Son.
2 Corinthians 9:15: “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
His indwelling Holy Spirit, the Gospel, the Family of God (body of Christ), basic necessities of life.
A. Because of Redemption 1
“much people” – a great multitude
Salvation – here it is seen in its future tense.
1. Penalty of Sin.
2. Power of Sin.
3. Presence of Sin.
B. Because of Retribution 2-3
References Chapter 17-18
This pictures God’s justice. In the 1st Century the Jews desired a Messiah who would deal with all the inequity, injustice and unrighteousness.
Isaiah 9:6-7
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”
This will usher in the anticipated day when God’s justice would triumph.
Babylon is identified as the great harlot in
Chapter 17:1, 15-16, Satan and Antichrist’s system that seduced the unbelieving world to believe their lies
The world systems that led the world astray and polluted mankind, both the apostate religions system and the satanic economic-political system.
C. Because of Realization 4-6
The Church and the Cherubim worship Him. All are in solemn agreement, so let it be.
This praise transcends all human categories and distinctions. All the redeemed are called to praise God.
Motive v6
“Hallelujah! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!”
The evil world system has been completely destroyed, and God’s kingdom has come in its fullness.
II. THE PRESENTATION OF THE BRIDE 7-8
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ in the presence of His Father will present the Bride to Himself.
Ephesians 5:27: “that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”
The Commencement Of This Marriage 7a.
It begins at salvation and it was referred to as espousal.
2 Corinthians 11:2: “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
When I trusted Christ as my Lord and Savior, I became engaged or espoused to Christ; legal agreement.
Ephesians 5:31-32: "’For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’" This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.”
In the 1st Century, and for centuries to follow, there were usually 3 steps to follow from the time of espousal of a young couple until the final marriage union.
1. The parents of the bride and the bridegroom negotiated a marriage contract, usually when the couple was very young. They were legally married, although there was no sexual contact for years. This espousal was not like the engagement period today; it was much more binding.
2. The bridegroom, accompanied by some friends, went to the bride’s home to take her back to his home. Sometimes, they would ring bells announcing his arrival.
3. The bridal procession would be followed by the marriage feast, which would last for many days, depending on the wealth of the father of the bridegroom.
SPIRITUAL APPLICATION:
1. When I was saved, I became espoused to Christ. As a pledge, He gave me the Holy Spirit. The “earnest” of the Spirit-serious about buying me.
Ephesians 1:13-14: “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
2. In the Rapture of the church, our Bridegroom is coming. No bells, but with the voice of the archangel, and the triumph of God.
3. Followed by the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Revelation 19:7: “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready."
Not by her works, but rather by God’s gracious working. No longer will the Church have only an IMPUTED righteousness but also then an IMPARTED holy perfection.
1 John 3:2: “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”
The Lord has been in a time of Preparation, Presentation and now Celebration.
Many theologians believe there are 2 kinds of fitness in “His wife has made herself ready.” V8 “the righteous acts of the saints.”
1. Certainly the exercise of God’s sovereign grace makes the Bride ready for Heaven.
Colossians 1:12: “giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
2. 1 John 2:28: “And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.”
The “righteous acts” may indicate the bride’s garment is woven of the immeasurable acts of fruitful obedience by those who endure to the end.
III. THE PARTICIPANTS AT THE FEAST 9
Remember: The Bride is the church from Pentecost to the Rapture.
V9 refers to the invitation of the wedding party.
Christ is the Bridegroom.
Church is the Bride.
Who are the wedding guests?
1. Israel (converted during the Tribulation).
2. The resurrected Old Testament Saints, Abraham, Noah, Isaac, Jacob, etc.
3. All the saints that survive the Tribulation.
4. The angels and heavenly host will watch and serve at their Master’s bidding (Ephesians 3:10).