7/24/2024 - The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Revelation 19:1-10

Review the timeline

Chapter 19 is about the sights and sounds that John hears.

The SOUNDS (v.1,6) are about events in Heaven

The SIGHTS (v.11,17,19) are about events that move from Heaven to Earth culminating in the 2nd Coming of Christ and the punishment of the Antichrist and the False Prophet.

Tonight we are focusing on what John heard the SOUNDS of Revelation 19.

verse 1 - “I heard...” - Heaven rejoicing over the destruction of the great harlot.

verse 6 - “I heard...” - Heaven rejoicing over the wedding banquet of the Lamb.

Next week we will look at the SIGHTS of Revelation 19.

Verse 11 - “I saw...” - The Second Coming of Jesus with the saints!

Verse 17 - “I saw...” - The destruction of hte armies gathered for war at Armageddon.

Verse 19 - “I saw...” - The punishment of the Beast (Antichrist) and False Prophet in the Lake of Fire.

But for this week we look at what John Heard...

The subject before us is greatly misunderstood by many because it is not taught about much in these days.

The concept of a marriage supper was readily understood by the readers of Bible days, because it is a part of their society and culture.

The marriage supper was a theme that the Lord would often dwell upon.

Many of His stories and parables mentioned marriage suppers.

In Matthew 22, He spoke about a king who was getting married and sent his servants out to invite people to the event.

This is the event we are looking at today.

So let’s start off by looking at ...

I. The Participants at the Marriage Supper

Who is going to be at this marriage supper?

A. The Identification of the Bridegroom

This is the “King’s Son,” the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Jesus is the Bridegroom

John 3:29–30 KJV

29 He that hath the 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. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

John the Baptist is the friend of the bridegroom, but Jesus is the Bridegroom and Jesus is the Lamb.

John was an New Testament prophet.

As the friend of the bridegroom, he was pointing attention to the groom.

B. The Identification of the Bride

Some say the bride is Israel, but this cannot be the case because Israel had turned to other gods.

Jeremiah 3:8 KJV

8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

Jeremiah 3:20 KJV

20 Surely as a wife treacherously departeth from her husband, so have ye dealt treacherously with me, O house of Israel, saith the Lord.

A beautiful book to read on this subject is “The Divine Romance” by Gene Edwards.

It is a beautifully written story of God’s love for Israel and the Church.

This is what Paul was referring to in II Corinthians 11:2

2 Corinthians 11:2 KJV

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.

C. The Identification of the Guests

9 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.

The church is the bride, so who are the guests?

John 3:29 KJV

29 He that hath the 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 Baptist as the friend of the bridegroom, is representative of the Old Testament saints from Adam until the resurrection of Christ.

These were the friends of the bridegroom.

II. The Particulars of the Marriage Supper

A. The Site of the Supper

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

This will be in Heaven.

After the supper there will be the second coming.

B. The Timing of the Supper

Based upon the placement in the book of Revelation, the timing will be at the end of the tribulation.

Of course, this will be after the rapture.

The judgment seat of Christ will already have taken place.

1 Corinthians 5:10 KJV

10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

The church will be ready for the supper.

Ephesians 5:27 KJV

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

C. The Events at the Supper

What is happening at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?

What is happening in heaven at this time.

Praise for the Salvation and Works of God

1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:

2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever.

4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.

5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great.

In the Greek there is

After these things in verse 1 refers to the events of chapter 17-18, in the destruction of the Religious system and the economic system of the Antichrist.

2. Praise for the Preparation that has been made

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

This is ancient language depicting a Jewish Wedding.

Paul in 2 Corinthians shows his great desire to present the church as a holy and pure bride for Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:2 KJV

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.

Paul says he is acting like a jealous groomsmen, or maybe a pastor preparing to marry a bride and a groom together.

But in jealousy Paul is trying to guard the bride, that she would retain her purity.

III. The Preparation of the Bride

How is the bride prepared to marry the groom here at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?

7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Let’s take a moment and look at the parallel that is presented here in Revelation 19, that is the Jewish wedding supper.

The Jewish Wedding was typically divided into three parts

1. Betrothal period - marriage contract; dowry paid

They were arraigned marriages.

The bride, or groom’s dad would see another dad, and agree together (as young as at two years old) that the son of one would marry the daughter of another.

A dowry was paid - sheep, goat, cattle, whatever the family had but a price was paid for the bride.

A contract would be made - a formal agreement.

In this parallel, this part of the marriage process is Salvation - Jesus Paid the “bridal price - dowry” with His blood.

During the betrothal period, they would not consummate the marriage, there would not be a celebration yet.

During this time the groom would go to build an addition on his father’s house - they were considered husband and wife, even though they were not together yet.

Makes me think of - John 14:2

John 14:2 KJV

2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Once the grooms preparations were finished the groom would come back for his bride.

2. Bridegroom Returns for Bride - Parable of 10 virgins

Matthew 25:1–13 KJV

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

five virgins were found unprepared - they asked to borrow some oil - but the five prepared virgins refused Why?

Because you can’t get to heaven on borrowed faith.

In the Parallel this is the Rapture of the church -Jesus comes to receive His bride.

John 14:3 KJV

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

We are in the betrothal period right now in history.

Jesus is coming again soon - we need to be ready.

3. The Wedding Banquet - 7 day celebration; couple would consummate the marriage

A great celebration would occur

in the Parallel of Revelation 19 this is the Wedding Banquet of the Lamb.

Christ has brought his bride to His home, and we celebrate the marriage feast with the rest of the church.

“…so shall we ever be with the Lord!”

Now going back to the preparations of the bride.

How does the bride prepare herself for Christ?

A. By Sanctification

8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

We are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

We are prepared in our new life by good works, and yielding to the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:8–10 KJV

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Titus 3:8 KJV

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

However it is very important to understand that the only way we can have any good works to prepare us is by yielding to the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our preparations are made by following the Holy Spirit unto good works.

But not only are we prepared by sanctification, but we are prepared...

B. For the One Thousand Year Reign

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

This verse signifies the second coming of Jesus and the beginning of His 1,000 year reign.

2 Timothy 2:11–12 KJV

11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Luke 19 is the parable of the pounds.

We see in parable form what will happen on that day.

Luke 19:12–27 KJV

12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. 13 And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. 15 And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16 Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18 And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19 And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. 20 And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: 21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. 22 And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: 23 Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 24 And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds. 25 (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.) 26 For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. 27 But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

This parable indicates that those who are faithful with little will rule over much.

Conclusion:

We must work for the night is coming when no man can work any longer.

We must worship God!

In verse 10, John is so overtaken by what he is seeing that he attempts to worship the angel!

10 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.

“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The testimony of Jesus is the revelation of God’s plan for us, and for the end of the world, and for His coming Kingdom.

At the name of Jesus, and Jesus alone, will every knee shall bow.