Please give me some information concerning the Marriage of the Lamb as described in Rev. 19:7-9? I would really appreciate it. Thank you.
Answer
A.
I will begin with Verse 7 which states, “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.”
The Bridegroom, referred to as the “Lamb” is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. John 1:29 tells us that, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
John’s reference to the “Lamb of God”, of course, reminds us of how our Savior shed His blood upon Calvary as payment for our sins. Peter in his first epistle, 1:18,19 describes this perfectly. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers.” (V. 18). “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and with spot.” (V.19).
(1). The Bridegroom in Relation to Israel: Had Israel, as a nation, accepted Christ as their long prophesied Messiah, then He (the Bridegroom) would have taken Israel as His wife and established the Kingdom at that time.
(2). In Mark 2:19,20, when the Scribes and Pharisees were finding fault with Christ’s disciples because they did not fast, the Lord stated in Verse 19, “Can the children of the bride chamber fast, while the bridegroom (Christ) is with them?”
Then in Verse 20, He speaks about His ascension back to Heaven as the marriage and the Kingdom would be put on hold. "But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, then shall they fast in those days." The reason is explained by John 1:11. “He (i.e., Christ, the bridegroom) came unto his own (Israel to reign with Him as his wife) and his own received him not.”
Therefore there is no unity of marriage, as Christ returns to Heaven (Acts 1:4).
(3). Who is the Bride? As one studies Hosea, Ezekiel and Isaiah, we find that all three great prophets address Israel as the WIFE of Jehovah. Israel is also referred to as the BRIDE in John 3:29. John the Baptist speaking states, “He (Christ) that hath the bride (Israel) is the bridegroom: But the friend (John the Baptist) of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: This is my joy therefore fulfilled.
(4) The Wife (Israel) rejects the Bridegroom (Jesus Christ). As the Old Testament prophets state, Israel is the forsaken wife of Jehovah, embodied by Christ in human flesh. Because of Israel’s idolatries and her adulteries and her rejection of her Bridegroom (Christ), she is an alienated wife. She will, in the future, be restored and reign with Christ in the Kingdom forever. (Ezekiel 36:16-38).
(5) The wife of the Lamb in Revelation 19:7. “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his WIFE (bride) hath made herself ready.”
The "wife", or Bride, is not Israel but rather the Church; i.e., all Christians from Pentecost to the Rapture, a time known as the Dispensation of Grace. It is the Spiritual Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:13).
When Israel, as the wife of Jehovah, is restored she will not be considered a bride, as no restored wife is ever referred to as a VIRGIN. But in Revelation 19, we find the wife (bride) is a virgin. The word of God in II Corinthians 11:2 speaks concerning the church: “...I have espoused you to one husband (Christ), that I may present you as a chaste VIRGIN to Christ.”
Further, in Ephesians 5:30-32, the Word of God states, “For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH.”
Therefore, the Bride married to our Lord is the Church made up of every saved individual.
B. Examining Revelation 19:7,8.
(1). (V.7a) “For the marriage of the Lamb is come.”
A marriage constitutes the living together. The beginning of Christ’s (the Bridegroom’s) marriage to the church positionally and practically occurs at the Rapture and will continue throughout eternity. What a wonderful marriage this will be at the Rapture. The Bride will never sin against the Bridegroom throughout eternity. Just as Christ did not possess a sinful nature, neither will the Christian. We will have a new body at the Rapture (i.e., the marriage), void of the old nature we inherited from Adam. Philippians 3:20 explains, “For our conversation (Greek “ citizenship”) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall CHANGE our VILE BODY, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body....”
In I Corinthians 15:53 we are told concerning our new bodies; “For this corruptible (bodies that have died) must put on incorruption” (sinless bodies that will never die) and this mortal (those alive at the Rapture) must put on immortality (sinless bodies that will never die).”
“And so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (I Thessalonians 4:17).
(2). (V.7b). “And his wife hath made herself ready.”
This event takes place at the Judgment Seat of Christ in Heaven, after the Rapture. Always remember that Heaven is NEVER a reward, but a GIFT. Ephesians 2:8 makes this perfectly clear. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
In Romans 5:15-17, salvation is described as a "GIFT" five (5) times. Rewards are given at this judgment for our faithfulness to Christ while living on the earth. Notice II Corinthians 5:10, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (Also Romans 14:10-12).
In I Corinthians 3, which is addressing the Christian, our faithfulness and good works and/or our unfaithfulness and disgraceful works are described in Verse 12, “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones (i.e., faithfulness and good works) or wood, hay, stubble; (i.e., a disgraceful life).”
Now in Verse 14 concerning the gold, silver, precious stones in Verse 12 we are told, “If any man’s work abide (i.e., are pleasing unto the Lord) which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.”
In Verse 15 we have the results of living a disgraceful life, described as “wood, hay, and stubble” in Verse 12. “If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: (i.e. of rewards) but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
With this judgment in mind, we can now continue.
(3.) (Revelation 19:8) “And to her (the Bride) was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the RIGHTEOUSNESS of the Saints.”
In Christ’s time, there were many people who wore an inner garment and an outer garment. In Matthew 5:40 we have this verified. “And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat (Greek “chiton”, “inner garment”), let him have thy cloak (Greek “himation,”, “outer garment”) also.”
The Roman world, as was their custom wore two robes. The inner robber was called a TUNIC and the outer robe, which was loose fitting, was called a TOGA. The inner garment in Revelation 19:8 is in reference to the righteousness of the saints. The inner, white robe is for every Christian, showing they have the righteousness of Christ given to them for their faith. “For he hath made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in him.”
The inner robe is for salvation. Both garments are referred to in Revelation 3:4,5. Notice carefully that Verse 4 is speaking of our works, or our faithfulness to the Lord. This outer white garment, the TOGA is the same as that in Revelation 19:8. “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in WHITE: for they are worthy.”
Notice Verse 5, which is speaking of Salvation and the inner white garment that every Christian will wear. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in WHITE raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life...” This is the inner garment of Salvation, the TUNIC. How wonderful it will be to see every Christian that makes up His bride wearing their beautiful white robes of righteousness, known as the TUNIC.
This will not be so concerning the TOGA, the outer robe. This will be made in the likeness of our faithfulness in serving the Lord.
Dr. Lehman Strauss, that great Bible expositor and conference speaker gave his observation concerning Verse 8 as such. “That at the marriage each of us will be wearing the wedding garment of our own making.” How true this is. Can you picture with me for a moment, as we stand before Christ in Heaven. Here stand all Christians (His Bride) as he now calls each one to step forward. On one he places this beautiful outer white robe for their dedication and faithfulness to him. Others are left standing, no rewards, as all their works have burned up. They are saved “so as by fire,” as though they had escaped a burning house naked.
As a Christian, what kind of robe are you weaving for yourself? I Corinthians 15:58 is a promise from the Lord that we will be rewarded for our faithfulness to him. “Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is NOT IN VAIN in the Lord.”
May the words of this old song touch our hearts.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face.
And the things of earth will go strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.”
(4). (Revelation 19:9) “And he said unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb...”
In Verse 7, we had the Marriage of the Lamb, the Church uniting and living with Christ, beginning at the Rapture. Now in Verse 9 we have the Marriage Supper, an additional event after the marriage. The supper is altogether different from the marriage. Three items will be addressed in this verse. They are “The supper,” and “The called” or guests, and “Where will it take place?”
C. The Marriage Supper
We would like to take notice first of all that this is NOT the reinstitution of the Lord’s Supper as given in I Corinthians 11. This ordinance was given to the Church (the Bride) to observe while on earth. This ordinance will consummate at the Rapture as the Church will be taken to Heaven. This is made clear from I Corinthians 11:26. “For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death TILL HE COME.” The ordinance of the Lord’s supper ended with Christ’s coming and taking his Church (Bride) to Heaven.
The question has been proposed, “Who is going to be able to eat at this supper, since all Christians (the Bride) in Heaven will be in their resurrected bodies?” Remember, Christ ate in His resurrected body as we are told in Luke 24:42,43, “And they gave him (Christ) a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it and did eat before them.
We might also be thrilled to know that God has made it possible that the saints will be able to enjoy eating many varieties of fruit, during the Millennium and throughout Eternity. Revelation 22:1,2 describes this. “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb (V.1). In the midst of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” (V.2).
The word “healing” is the Greek “therapeia,” meaning “health and enjoyment.” It does not give health in the sense of healing a person from being or becoming ill. Our resurrected bodies will never get sick or die. (Revelation 21:4). It will be healthy in the sense of feeling good by enjoying the privilege of eating all these varieties of fresh fruits. I am sure the Lord will have avocadoes, as they are one of my favorites.
Therefore, at the Marriage SUPPER of the Lamb we will, in our resurrected bodies, be able to feast and enjoy whatever the Lord has planned to serve.
(1). Where will this supper take place?
I am not aware of any Scripture that tells us for sure of the exact location of this supper. There are Scriptures that point in the direction, and indicate that our wedding feast may take place in the New Heavenly Jerusalem. Notice in Revelation 21:2, since the Church is the Bride of Christ. “And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
Here the beauty of the Holy City is likened unto a bride who beautifully adorns herself for her husband. Here, God reveals this beautiful city, which His Son, Jesus Christ, presents as a dwelling place for His Bride, the Church.
In Revelation 21:9,10, we are further told concerning this heavenly city, “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither; I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. (V.9). And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, THE HOLY JERUSALEM, descending out of heaven from God.” (V.10).
Could it be when the Lord shows His Church (the Bride) the New Jerusalem, that he will have the Marriage Supper within its confines? Wouldn’t it be wonderful, as we view this beautiful city approximately 1500 miles square, to then be invited in to sit with our Wonderful Savior and enjoy the Marriage Supper? This appears, from the foregoing Scriptures, to be a good possibility; but, only time will bear this out.
(2). (Revelation 19:9) The “Called” (guests), who are they?
By deductive reasoning, we can conclude that the guests will be those already in Heaven. Since the Marriage Supper probably takes place in the New Jerusalem in Heaven, earthly beings are exempt as I Corinthians 15:50 so clearly states: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit corruption.”
This leaves, as the guests, all the saved from Adam and Eve up to Pentecost, plus the Tribulation martyrs, since the Tribulation Period is the completion of the Old Testament. Pentecost, of course, is the birthday of the Church and consummates at the Rapture.
(3). (Matthew 26:29) A feast on earth that is different from the marriage feast in Heaven.
“But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
This was the Passover Feast for Israel on earth, not the Lord’s Supper for the Church in Heaven. A custom of the celebration of Passover by the Jews, even today, is to use four (4) cups at the feast. There was the Cup of Sanctification, which was passed around for everyone to drink of. The same was done with the Cup of Blessing, the Cup of Judgment, and the Cup of Communion. Christ would not drink of the Cup of Communion, as He knew Israel, as a nation, would reject him as their Messiah. Therefore, no communion as the earthly Kingdom would be put on hold, and the Church Age would be ushered in.
He will drink this Cup of Communion with the 12 Apostles and all the Old Testament Saints at the Passover Feast in the Millennial Kingdom. We are told in Matthew 8:11, “That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of (from) heaven.”
The “Kingdom from Heaven” is mentioned some 38 times, and only in Matthew, the Kingdom book. It is always in reference to Christ’s earthly Kingdom. In Luke 22 after describing the same Passover Feast, we are told in Verse 32, concerning the 12 Apostles, “That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom (i.e., on earth), and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Ezekiel, in Chapters 40-48, describes in much detail what will take place during the Millennium. We learn from Ezekiel 45:21 and other Scriptures, the Passover will again be observed.
“In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, ye shall have the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten.”
This is when and where Christ will drink the Cup of Communion with the redeemed that He had promised.
Remember, all the Old Testament saints now in Heaven will be the Bride’s guests and feast with the Church at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in Heaven. Then, they will come back with Christ, receive their resurrected bodies and feast with Christ at the Passover every year throughout the Millennium.
(4). Abraham looked for the Heavenly city. Hebrews 11:10 tells us that, “For he (Abraham) looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” This is a Heavenly city NOT an earthly city. Men build earthly cities; but, this one is built in Heaven by God. In Verse 13,, all of Abraham’s seed “confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
In Hebrews 11:16 we are told of them, “But now they desire a better country, that is, an HEAVENLY: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a CITY.”
In John 14:2 Christ stated that, “in my father’s house (Heaven) are many mansions (i.e., dwelling or abiding places)...” The only Heavenly City described in Scripture is the HOLY CITY, the New Jerusalem, in Revelation, Chapter 21. Abraham and his seed (saved Israel) will also have access to the Holy City along with the Bride (the Church).
It should be recognized that all the saved from Adam up to Pentecost are in Heaven now. When Christ ascended, He emptied all of the saved out of Paradise in the heart of the earth and took them to Heaven with him. (Ephesians 4:8-10). These are all in their spiritual bodies; but, not their resurrected bodies. They will receive their resurrected bodies when Christ returns to set up the Kingdom for 1,000 years; but, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb takes place just prior to that.
(5). Can one feast at the supper in their spiritual body?
From Luke 16:19-24, we have an unsaved, rich man who died and went directly to Hell (Greek “Hades”). In Verse 23 we are told, “And in hell he lift up his EYES being in torments.” In Verse 24, “And he CRIED and SAID...send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in WATER, and COOL MY TONGUE; for I am tormented in this flame.”
This man in his spiritual body has all the attributes he possessed in his earthly body. He had eyes to see, could talk, had feelings, a sensitive tongue, and etc. A Christian’s spiritual body possesses the same attributes; therefore, it seems only reasonable that they could eat and enjoy the feast the same as the Bride (Church) in their resurrected bodies.
(6). Angels will also be present at the supper.
In Hebrews 12:22 we have recorded, But ye are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the City of the living God, THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM, and to an innumerable company of ANGELS.”
Can one imagine what it would be like to attend this supper, and be able to see and talk with Michael, the Archangel, Gabriel, the Seraphims, the Cherubims,, the Four and Twenty Elders and all the Heavenly Host? God has revealed to us in the Bible concerning the angels and their activities in serving Him. I think it very possible that God could extend to them the honor and privilege of serving all the redeemed (guests) and His Bride (the Church) at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
This is just a glimpse of what awaits the Christian as he enters into the presence of His Savior in Heaven. Much more could be written on this subject; but I hope this will give one some illumination concerning the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
To be included in this great supper, there is only one condition, belief; and only one way, Christ. In John 14:6 we are told, Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the FATHER, BUT BY ME.”
Jesus went to the cross, submitted His sinless life to death, as the payment for the sins of the world (i.e., every human being). If one sin had not been paid for, Christ would still be in the tomb. BUT, “Christ was delivered for our offences (sins), and was raised again for our justification.” (Romans 4:25).
Will you believe, with no reservations, that Jesus Christ loved you so much, that he died on the cross, was buried, and rose again the third day to pay for your sins personally. If you believe or disbelieve, John 3:36 reveals the result of your decision.
He that believeth on the Son (Christ) hath EVERLASTING LIFE: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; BUT the WRATH OF GOD ABIDETH on him.” (John 3:36).
All you have to do to be excluded from Heaven, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and spend eternity in Hell, IS NOTHING, just die in your sin of unbelief. I would strongly suggest that you make the wisest decision you will ever make in this life, and that is:
