The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is the celebration of triumph, at the end of the world, over all the forces of darkness that have caused great misery and death in the world. The apostle John wrote:
“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.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”
“Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:7-10).
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb will include the reception by Christ of His eternal kingdom, as represented by the New Jerusalem, and His coronation as King of kings and Lord of lords, in heaven at the close of His priestly ministry on behalf of His faithful children (Revelation 17:14).
The Bride of Christ
The Bride of Christ represents the Christian Church (Ephesians 5:22-23; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Jeremiah 6:2), or the waiting saints as in the parable of the Ten Virgins. The rightouss are the guests invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Matthew 25:1–10 also 22:1–13; 25:1–10; John 2:1–10). The ten young women resemble all of those who profess the pure faith of Jesus. They believe in the soon coming of Jesus (Revelation 14:4). And the lamps represent the Word of God (Psalms 119:105).
However, only five of the ten young women are wise because they had oil in their lambs. The wise virgins represent those Christians, who know the truth and strive by the power of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God to be faithful to His commands. All those that invite the Holy Spirit into their heart will grow in the Christian graces (John 14:16, 17; 16:7–15). Thus, this parable places emphasis on the necessity of preparation for the coming of Christ.
The apostle John describes the bride’s garments as fine linen. This clothing represents a righteous character (Revelation 3:5; 6:11; 3:18; 22:14). God-like acts are the normal and sure result of walking in God’s path. This triumphant life over sin is produced by the power of God as the believer connects himself daily the Savior through the study of His Word and prayer (Galatians 2:20; James 2:17, 18, 20).
Those that don’t have the wedding garment will not be able to attend the Marriage Supper of the lamb (Matthew 22:11; 5:48). They represent professed believers, who feel no need of a change in character. They are only interested in the privilege of eating at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. They declined Christ’s robe of righteousness and think they can earn salvation by their hypercritical religious ceremonies.
The apostle John speaks of the New Jerusalem as the city that will resemble the bride of Christ prophetically. “The bride, the Lamb’s wife” is “that great city, the holy Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2, 9, 10). The New Jerusalem is to be the capital of the new earth, and as such is representative of “the kingdoms of this world,” which will “become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ” (Revelation 11:15; 21:1–5). The New Jerusalem will include the Garden of Eden, in which the tree of life has been preserved (Revelation 22:1, 2).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
