The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is Come!

Revelation 19:5-10 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. 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 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. 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. 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.

Introduction

For years, as I was growing up, there was a painting that hung in the dinning room of my mom and dad’s house. The centerpiece of the painting was a long table that was adorned with heaped amounts of food. Plates, goblets, and silverware were also visible. Rounded loaves of bread adorned the table. The painting was a perspective, with the table going beyond infinity. When I think of the table that will accommodate all the saints, I smile remembering the picture in the dining room.

PRAISE OUR GOD

Revelation 19:5 ¶ 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.

“And a voice came out of the throne saying”

This is an unseen and unidentified speaker. Some have tried to explain that this was the voice of God. However, the following phrase, “Praise our God, all ye his servants,” certainly would not come from the lips of God. Others have said that this is the voice of the Son, but for the same reason, I find this unlikely. Instead, it seems to be a herald near the throne of God. Perhaps it is one of the Beasts, or one of the Elders. We just do not know, as John did not feel it important to include the identity of the “voice.”

This is the third time in the Revelation that John hears “a voice” from the heaven or the throne room of God (16:1; 19:5; 21:3).

“…Praise our God, all ye his servants…”

The “praise” or “to praise” God has many variations. For example:

In the Old Testament

hālal, the Hebrew word meaning, “to shine, to make a show, rave, celebrate.” (i.e. Psalm 18:3)

yādâ, the Hebrew word meaning, “to know, to be made known.” (i.e. Psalm 9:10). Yada is associated with the bodily actions and gestures which accompany praising.

zāmar, the Hebrew word meaning, “striking with the fingers, to make music.” (i.e. Psalm 7:17)

In the New Testament

eucharistéō is the Greek word meaning, “to give thanks, express gratitude.” (i.e. Matthew 15:36)

eulogein is the Greek word meaning, “to speak well of, to bless, invoke a benediction upon, to prosper.” (i.e. Matthew 5:44)

ainéō is the Greek word meaning, “to praise (God).” (i.e. Luke 18:43)

The New Bible Dictionary defines “Praise” as follows:

The whole of the Bible is punctuated with outbursts of praise. They rise spontaneously from the ‘basic mood’ of joy which marks the life of the people of God.

God takes pleasure and delight in his works of creation (Gn. 1; Ps. 104:31; Pr. 8:30–31),

All creation, including the angels, expresses its joy in praise (Jb. 38:4–7; Rev. 4:6–11).

Man also was created to rejoice in God’s works (Ps. 90:14–16) and fulfils this purpose by accepting God’s gifts (Ec. 8:15; 9:7; 11:9; Phil. 4:4, 8; cf.

Therefore, the proclamation of the voice is to “Choose our God.” As a pastor, I can tell you that is my wish for all people; that they would choose God over the draw of the world.

McGee writes:

Notice that the call to praise comes directly from the throne of God, because the Lord Jesus Christ is preparing to take control of this world. This is truly the “Hallelujah Chorus” and the most profound paean of praise in the entire Word of God. It takes us all the way back to that covenant which God made with David in which He promised that He would raise One upon David’s throne who would rule the world. In 2 Samuel 7:16 we read: “And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.”

“…and ye that fear him, both small and great.”

The call is for all believers, in this case “those God-fearing people”, no matter what your status in life is, Praise the LORD.

Revelation 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

“And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying”

The sound of the worshiping multitude was deafening. Like standing near Niagara Falls or on a bridge over a busy highway or watching a Texas lightning storm.

Hindson writes:

This is the hour for which the church has prayed and longed, and all creation has groaned (cf. Rom 8:18–23). Before Christ assumes His rightful throne on earth, Babylon must be judged on earth and His marriage celebrated in heaven. The first is past (chs. 17–18); the second follows here. What was stated by way of anticipation in 11:15 is now realized.

“Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth”

The literal translation is, “The Lord God omnipotent has begun to reign.”

My transliteration of this statement would be:

“Alleluia [Praise the Lord] for the Lord [the person having power or authority] God [the supreme divinity] omnipotent [the ruler of all] reigneth [exercises his right and power to reign].”

THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB

The Marriage Feast of the Lamb follows the judgment of a world that had taken all that was good concerning the wedding and marriage, and put in its place, idolatry, false peace, and the replacement of the wife with a prostitute. Now celebration takes place in heaven and the day of the great wedding feast of the Lamb of God is ready to begin.

Revelation 19:7 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.

“Let us be glad and rejoice…”

There is a difference in being glad and rejoicing. The Greek word for “glad” means to be “cheerful or calmly happy” as when meeting someone you have not seen in a while.

“Rejoice” literally means to “jump for joy.”

“…and give honour to him…”

Weddings in Biblical times, center on the bride. Her wedding gown was costly and an elaborate affair. The bride and her bridesmaids were busy in preparing the bride in order to present her to her groom.

Her face would be covered by a thick veil

Flowers would be arranged into her hair where a crown would be placed upon her head (the crown could be made from vines, flowers, or metals).

The preparation of the bride is viewed in much the same way we do today.

On the other hand, the bridegroom would go to the house of the bride with great pomp and joy to receive his bride. Today, the groom receives little ceremony. Quietly, the minister and bridegroom enter the sanctuary to their appointed places and simply wait for the bride to be brought out to meet the groom. The ceremony changes when the bride makes her appearance, the music rises to a crescendo, and every head turns to view the bride. Today’s weddings are all about the bride.

Who is the Bridegroom?

However, there is a role reversal at the Marriage of the Lamb, the command is “and give honor to him.” It is important to understand who the bride and groom are in this passage. When responding to the questions of John the Baptist’s disciples, Jesus identifies himself as the bridegroom:

John 3:29 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.

Who is the Bride?

The bride is the church:

2 Corinthians 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.

Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus identified that the bride was the church (Eph. 5:22-33):

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Ephesians 5:32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB IS COME

“…for the marriage of the Lamb is come…”

The history of God’s plan for man comes to the long-awaited union of the Lamb of God and His bride, the church. With the judgments behind, now comes the wedding with all the joy and gaiety that the marriage will bring.

How Does the Bride Make Herself Ready?

“…and his wife hath made herself ready…”

The bride has made herself ready simply by accepting the call of salvation from the Savior. She has allowed the Holy Spirit to work in her and to bring her into the highest love relationship possible for man, the worship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The long-awaited day of the marriage is now revealed. The Church is prepared herself and now waits for the bridegroom to receive her.

Note: There is plenty of discussion concerning when this marriage feast takes place. Some believe that it takes place at the time of the rapture which takes place right before the Tribulation period began. Others believe that this marriage takes place at the end of the Tribulation, ushering in the Millennial reign of Christ. Their thoughts are that people will be saved during the Tribulation period and therefore would not be involved. Still others believe, for the same reasons above, that the marriage will not take place until the end of the Millennial reign.

Note: Another interesting discussion centers on the idea where all this takes place: is the marriage feast in heaven or on earth?

Revelation 19:8 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.

“And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen…”

We are not told who granted the church the right to be arrayed in fine linen, but it appears that it is the groom, Jesus the Lamb of God who approves the gown for the bride. However, it could also be that the Father gives the final nod.

Throughout the bible, we find that a garment is symbolized as righteousness or sin. The garment represents the lifestyle or actions of the individual. In this case, her garment is of fine linen. We find that phrase “fine linen” over 100 times in the bible. The Tabernacle curtains were “fine linen.” The priest wore “fine linen” and the clothes of the nobles were of “fine linen.” She is arrayed in purity and righteousness.

There is a stark comparison between the wedding gown of the bride of Christ and that of the Great Whore, Babylon.

Revelation 17:4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

My wife and I have had some discussions concerning when a woman is at her prettiest. I think there are two times when I found my wife just irresistible; on her wedding day and when she was expecting. She disagrees with the second part, but I found her to be so adorable carrying our kids. There is no doubt that the bride is beautiful on her wedding day.

“…clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints…”

The purity and righteousness of the bride’s gown was made possible by the sacrifice of the Savior.

The bride will stand before the groom in her glorious garments, because of the saving work of the groom. His death, burial and resurrection make all this possible.

Revelation 19:9 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.

“Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

The marriage festival is a celebration including the exchanging of the vows, the proclamation, followed by a meal that is shared at no expense. The tables are lavishly trimmed, and a celebration is found in every seat.

For those Christians of the first century, a reference to a marriage feast would remind them of their future home, heaven. Heaven will be a jubilant and merry festival (Luke 14:15-16; 16:22; 22:16).

The invitation to the “Marriage Supper of the Lamb” was sent out before history began. The prophecy of the Gospel has been made known throughout history. Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection guaranteed the future event would take place. All of creation has been waiting, and now the doors have been opened for all to enter that know Jesus Christ as their personal savior.

“And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”

From all the horrors of the judgments to the pure joy of a wedding the voice from heaven declares that everything concerning the wedding of the Lamb of God is true.

Revelation 19:10 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.

“And I fell at his feet to worship him…”

Adoration of God is often found at the feet of the LORD. Falling prone before the Savior is a normal acknowledgement of worship. However, why did John fall to the feet of the one bringing the message? Perhaps it is unbridled joy on behalf of John seeing the church brought together in circumstances other than persecution and death that he falls in worship of the words of the speaker.

John has been prompted several times before not to worship the angel bringing the message to him, and this will not be the last (Rev 22:8).

“And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant…”

John knew better, but the pure emotion of this event overwhelmed him. The angel chides him for his misdirected worship and simply says that he also is a “fellowservant.”

“…and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus…”

The angel also positions himself as a fellow servant of the brethren; that is those who became the sons of God.

“…worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

The angel simply says, “worship God.” He is worthy of worship as he fulfilled all prophecy concerning the Messiah.

THE RETURN OF THE CHRIST

In the upper room, Jesus taught His disciples that He was going away but would return after He prepared a place for them.

John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 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. 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.

The Apostle Paul instructed the church at Corinth in the events of the end times by saying:

1 Corinthians 15:51-58 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Thessalonica on the same subject:

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

By faith, believers today look to the return of Jesus with great anticipation. From the moment that Jesus was taken to heaven from the earth, men have been looking for His return.

Therefore, every Christian throughout time has been anxiously waiting for the return of our Savior. I know that the prisoner on the isle of Patmos longed to see His Savior again, face to face. Let us rejoice with John as the angel presents the return of the Christ to him on his windswept prison island.

I would think that with every letter of every word, John is feeling the joy of the return of Jesus. I wonder if the parchment John was writing on, is spotted with his tears of joy.

CONCLUSION

The Bride must be ready. Preparations must be made.

The Groom is coming one day. He waits on the Father to receive His bride.

My question to you today is simply this: Have you made preparations for this day?