The Marriage Supper of The Lamb

Amazed by what he saw and heard, John might have failed to write but he was warned to do so on this occasion, because of—

The value of the statements herein recorded.

Their absolute certainty, as sure promises and true sayings of God.

The necessity of keeping such facts in remembrance throughout all time for the comfort of all those who look for the Lord’s appearing.

This fact, that men shall partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb, might seem too good to be true if it were not specially certified by order of the Lord, under the hand and seal of the Spirit of God.

In the historical order, the false harlot-church is to be judged (see previous chapter), and then the true bride of Christ is to be acknowledged and honored.

In meditating upon this august marriage festival, we shall note—

I. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE BRIDEGROOM.

The inspired apostle speaks of him as “the Lamb.”

This is John’s special name for his Lord. Perhaps he learned it from hearing the Baptist cry, by the Jordan, “Behold the Lamb.”

What we learn early abides with us late.

John uses this name continually in this Book of the Revelation.

The last book of the Bible still reveals Jesus in this character as the Lamb of God.

In this passage the marriage of the Lamb may even seem incongruous as a figure: but John looks at the sense, and not at the language.

He wishes us above all things to remember that as the sacrifice for sin our Lord appears in his glory; and that as a Lamb he will manifest himself in the consummation of all things when his church is perfected.

1. As the Lamb he is the one everlasting sacrifice for sin: he will not be other than this in his glory.

2. As the Lamb, suffering for sin, he is specially glorious in the eyes of the angels and all other holy intelligences; and so in his joyous day he wears that character.

3. As the Lamb he most fully displayed his love to his church; and so he appears in this form on the day of his love’s triumph.

4. As the Lamb he is best loved of our souls. Behold, how he loved us even to the death!

   • Ever as a victim for sin he rejoices to display himself to the universe.

II. THE MEANING OF THE MARRIAGE SUPPER.

In the evening of time, in the end of the gospel day, there shall be—

1. The completion and perfection of the church. “His bride has made herself ready.”

2. The rising of the church into the nearest and happiest communion with Christ in his glory. “The marriage of the Lamb is come.” The espousals lead up to this.

3. The fulfillment of the long expectations of both.

4. The open publication of the great fact of mutual love and union.

5. The overflowing of mutual delight and joy. “Be glad and rejoice.”

6. The grandest display of magnificent munificence in a banquet.

7. The commencement of an eternally unbroken rest. “He shall rest in his love.” The church, like Ruth, shall find rest in the house of her husband.

III. THE PERSONS WHO ARE CALLED TO IT.

Not those who have the common call and reject it, but—

1. Those who are so called as to accept the invitation.

2. Those who now possess the faith which is the token of admission.

3. Those who love Bridegroom and bride.

4. Those who have on the wedding garment of sanctification.

5. Those who watch with lamps burning.

   • These are they which are called to the marriage supper.

IV. THE BLESSEDNESS WHICH IS ASCRIBED TO THEM.

1. They have a prospect which blesses them even now.

2. They have great honor in being called to such a future.

3. They will be blessed indeed when at that feast, for—

   • Those who are called will be admitted.
   • Those who are admitted will be married.
   • Those who are married to Jesus will be endlessly happy. How many a marriage leads to misery! but it is not so in this case.
   • Alas, some are not thus blessed!
   • To be unblest is to be accursed.

Marriage Music

As they that have invited a company of strangers to a feast do stay until the last be come, so there will not be a glorious coming of Christ until all the elect be gathered into one body. And then shall be the coming of all comings, which is the glorious coming of Christ, to take us to himself.—Richard Sibbes.

How blessed it will be to those “called” ones, to “sit down” at “the marriage supper of the Lamb!” Then will “the King sit indeed at his table,” and “the spikenard will send forth the smell thereof.”

He who once hung so sad upon the cross for every one, will look around that bright company, and in every white robe, and in every lighted countenance, he will behold the fruit of his sufferings. He will “see of the travail of his soul, and will be satisfied.” It will be the eternal union of God fulfilled in its deepest counsel—a people given to Christ from before all worlds; and that they are, that day, all chosen—all gathered—all washed—all saved—and not one of them is lost!

—James Vaughan.

We dare not say that our Lord will love us more than he loves us now, but he will indulge his love for us more; he will manifest it more, we shall see more of it, we shall understand it better; it will appear to us as though he loved us more. He will lay open his whole heart and soul to us, with all its feelings, and secrets, and purposes, and allow us to know them, as far at least as we can understand them, and it will conduce to our happiness to know them. The love of this hour will be the perfection of love. This marriage-feast will be the feast, the triumph, of love—the exalted Savior showing to the whole universe that he loves us to the utmost bound love can go, and we loving him with a fervor, a gratitude, an adoration, a delight, that are new even in Heaven.

The provisions made by him for our enjoyment will astonish us. Conceive of a beggar taken for the first time to a splendid monarch’s table, and this at a season of unusual splendor and rejoicing. How would he wonder at the magnificence he would see around him, and the profusion of things prepared for his gratification; some altogether new to him, and others in an abundance and an excellence he had never thought of! So will it be with us in Heaven. We shall find it a feast and a monarch’s feast. It will have delights for us, of which we have no conception; and the pleasures we anticipate in it will be far higher and more abundant than our highest expectations have ever gone. We shall have a provision made for us, which will befit, not our rank and condition, but the rank and condition, the greatness, the magnificence, of a glorious God.—Charles Bradley.