The Wedding Supper of the Lamb

By Pastor Dan Kennedy

www.pastorkennedy.com

What would we do without God’s Word giving us insight and understanding about everyday life and what is going to happen in this world and in eternity?

What is God like? What does He have in store for those who love Him, in the future?

We have recently experienced a blessed and special 75th Wedding Anniversary of a dear couple in our church. As Christians we believe that marriage is very precious and is a profound parallel to Christ and the Church. Today we are Biblically reviewing “The Wedding Supper of the Lamb,” the amazing picture of marriage, Oneness, and the future events for the Church, the Bride of Christ.

Jesus and the New Testament writers spoke with clarity about the mystery of marriage and what its meaning should be to believers in Jesus Christ.

•Jesus Illustrated Heaven’s Kingdom with Wedding Parables

In speaking of the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus gave parables regarding wedding suppers and those who were invited.

•The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Matthew 22:1–14 (see also Luke 14:15-24)

Jesus would begin the parable by saying “The Kingdom of Heaven is Like”…that in itself is noteworthy! We should sit up straight and listen when Jesus says something like that…because we who have new spiritual birth and are believers in Christ, are part of that Kingdom!

The Kingdom of Heaven is like…

· A King preparing a wedding banquet for his son.

· The King’s servants are sent out to tell the invited guests to come

o (By the way, I believe we, as Christians, are part of those “servants” who are sent to tell the invited guests to come!)

· The next statement is a shocker: “but they refused to come”.

· The King sent out more servants, telling the invited guests that the banquet is ready, the meal has been prepared, everything is ready, now is the time to come!

· Again the invited guests paid no attention. They went off:

o One to his field

o Another to his business

o And the rest seized the Kings servants, mistreated them and killed them!

· The King was enraged!

· He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

· The King then sent out his servants again telling them:

o ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’

o So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad.

o The wedding hall was filled with guests.

· “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.

o ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless.

o “Then the King told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

· “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

•The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Do you remember the story Jesus told of the ten virgins who were waiting to enter the procession of the Bridegroom in Matthew 25:1-13? Five were wise, who had prepared for the long wait for the Bridegroom with sufficient oil to keep their lamps burning, while the five foolish virgins came unprepared and were not able to enter into the marriage feast after the door was closed.

Why do you think Jesus used illustrations like these to inform His disciples about the Kingdom of Heaven?

Is there an Eternal Afterlife, or do we just die and go into nothing?

Jesus Responds to Religious people who did not believe in Life after Death

Jesus lived in a day where there were two schools of theological thought about what happened after we died – somewhat like today. The Pharisees believed in the afterlife and they believed in a spirit world…in angels and demons, etc. The Sadducees wanted spirituality, but did not believe in an afterlife or the spirit world. These non-believers in afterlife thought they could trick Jesus by giving Him a hypothetical question right out of Moses teaching in the Law. They thought they could trick Jesus using a Jewish law about marriage.

•Jesus Answers a Trick Question: “Is there marriage in heaven?”

Matthew 22:23–32 (See also Mark 12:18-27 and Luke 20:27-40)

Marriage and the Resurrection

23 That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. 24 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. 27 Finally, the woman died. 28 Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?”

29 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. 31 But about the resurrection of the dead—have you not read what God said to you, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living.”

There are two other recorded passages in the New Testament concerning this conversation Jesus had with the Sadducees reaffirming the fact that there is no marriage, as we know it, in heaven and in eternity.

Mark 12:25

25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.

Luke 20:34–38

34 Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, 36 and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.

37 But in the account of the [burning] bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

Jesus made it clear to the Sadducees who did not believe in life after death, that they were definitely wrong, even through Moses interaction with God at the burning bush (Ex. 3:1-6). God is the God of the living – even after they had passed from this earthly life. And, regarding marriage in eternity: in the resurrection, we do not marry, but are like the angels. We will see the reasons for this revealed as we consider other passages throughout this study on the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.

Why do you think it was so important that Jesus told the Sadducees…and to us, that there would not be marriage in heaven, as we know it now on earth?

Let’s look more closely at John’s description of this amazing Wedding Banquet in the book of Revelation.

The End of the Earthly Age and the Beginning of Eternity!

The Apostle John had been exiled to the bleak Isle of Patmos for his belief in Jesus Christ as the resurrected Messiah. It is here that God gave him a vision about future events at the end of the times of the Gentiles…(which could be during our lifetime – or the future).

God also gave John prophetic information about what was going to happen in heaven and here on earth when sin, sorrow and death had taken their final toll and had been destroyed – and God establishes His Kingdom here on earth.

One of the first things that will happen in eternity is a great feast will be prepared for all of God’s Children. John calls this great feast the Wedding Supper of the Lamb!

•“The Wedding Supper of the Lamb”

The Apostle John wrote about the Wedding Supper of the Lamb in the final book of the Bible.

Revelation 19:6–9

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!

For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

7 Let us rejoice and be glad

and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready.

8 Fine linen, bright and clean,

was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

•“The Feast” for all peoples, is also written about by Isaiah

Isaiah, the Prophet, wrote about a great feast for all the people in God’s Kingdom.

Isaiah 25:6–8

6 On this mountain the Lord Almighty will prepare

a feast of rich food for all peoples,

a banquet of aged wine—

the best of meats and the finest of wines.

7 On this mountain he will destroy

the shroud that enfolds all peoples,

the sheet that covers all nations;

8 he will swallow up death forever.

The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears

from all faces;

he will remove the disgrace of his people

from all the earth.

The Lord has spoken.

When the Prophet Isaiah writes of this Feast being at the same time when death is swallowed up forever, that is pretty clear evidence that this feast is taking place in eternity, after the curse on earth is over and our eternal relationship with God has begun! It sounds like an Old Testament reference to “the Wedding Supper of the Lamb!”

Jesus continued to give insights about this heavenly Banquet in other conversations during His earthly ministry.

•The Faith of the Gentile Centurion and the Coming Feast in Heaven – Jesus told about many believing people who were not Jewish, participating in the great feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 8:5–13

5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.”

7 Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.”

8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.

•Jesus Himself will Serve His Guests (His Bride) at His Wedding Supper

Luke 12:35–40

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Besides the glimpses of this heavenly feast throughout the Bible, God also gave us two clear illustrations of Himself and what was eternally in store for His Children, in the two sacred institutions established in the New Testament.

Two New Testament Sacred Institutions and Divine Mysteries:

1.Marriage and
2.The Church

God Made Man in His Own Image

•The Trinity: Three = One
•Marriage: Two = One
•The Church, “The Bride”: Many = One

What is the absolute best way God could communicate the mystery of His Eternal Triune Person and Unity with His Bride for Eternity with those on earth who would seek Him?

· God gives men and women the amazing picture of Himself and their future, through the earthly institutions of Marriage…and the Church!

How does God hide His Person and the future from those who have no desire to know or seek God, throughout all the civilizations, people groups, and individuals in the history of the world?

· Mystery - Parables (Matt. 13:10-17).

· God hides the truth of His Person and the future through the mysteries of His Person. Those not interested in God ignore, dismiss, and ridicule anything they do not want to understand…to their own destruction. Jesus spoke in parables for this very reason (Matt. 13:10-17).

Who then will participate in the Divine Plan that God foreknew and determined from the foundation of the world?

· In God’s wisdom, foreknowledge, and sovereignty, He gives life and opportunity through His grace to all who believe in His Son for Redemption and Eternal Life. God will one day Righteously Judge the thoughts and intent of everyone’s heart.

Hebrews 11:6

6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

•Marriage

Let’s consider the first of the two New Testament Sacred Institutions and Divine Mysteries.

What are the reasons for marriage?

1. Companionship, Unity, Support and Oneness:

Two unique individuals – in body, soul and spirit, man and woman, to have unparalleled Unity, Fellowship, and Intimacy – in body, soul and spirit: Oneness – in the most precious picture of the mystery of the Image of the ONENESS of God Himself.

Genesis 2:18

18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

God Created Woman from Man

Genesis 2:18–24

…for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

23 The man said,

“This is now bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called ‘woman,’

for she was taken out of man.”

24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

2. Dominion, Responsibility and Propagation over all the earth

Genesis 1:26, 28

26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

3. The Elegant Parallel of an Earthly Marriage reveals the Profound Mysterious Image and Person of our Eternal Triune God

Unique God-Likeness:

Men and Women are God’s earthly creations in the likeness and image of God Himself – unique from all other creations of life in the world.

Genesis 1:27

27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

a. Excellent Ultra-Complex Living Bodies – one day to have supernatural imperishable, immortal bodies. (1 Cor. 15:50-54)

b. Extremely Intelligent Conscious Souls and Spirits

c. Executive Creative Governor-Protectors of earthly life

d. Exclusivity of Consciousness, Creativity, Guardianship and Divine Purpose given only, of all creation, to those in the Human Race.

If there is no marriage in heaven…why did Jesus and the Apostles put such an emphasis on earthly marriage?

Earthly Marriage is given to humans, by God, to communicate and reveal the most elusive mystery and profound character of God, even as we work through the flaws of our own human interaction in marriage.

1.The Unity and Oneness of God with Himself in His Triune Person, and
2.Christ’s Unity and Oneness with His Eternal Bride, the Church!

The Profound Mystery, Meaning and Practice of Marriage

Ephesians 5:21–32

21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body. 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.

•The Church, The Body and Bride of Christ

Let’s consider the Church, the second of the two New Testament Sacred Institutions and Divine Mysteries.

Many in the Body united as One (Romans 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:12-31; Eph. 4:4-16, see Endnotes.)

Ephesians 2:19–22

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

1 Peter 2:4–5

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

(See Endnotes for more Scriptural references on the Church.)

The Grand Finale Entrance of Christ’s Bride – the Church (many = ONE)

This Grand Finale is recorded prophetically by John, the Apostle, in the last two chapters of the New Testament: Revelation 21-22. “The Holy City” coming down from heaven to a newly renovated earth now fit for His Glorious Bride.

•The Holy City, “The Bride of the Lamb”

After the Second coming of Christ in Power and Glory (Rev. 19:11-21), followed by the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth, often called “the Millennium”, concluding with the final Judgment of all who have lived on the earth (Rev. 20), Revelation 21 gives us a picture of the Newly renovated (by fire) Heaven and Earth (2 Peter 3:7, 10-13; Is. 65:17; Ps. 50:3; 2 Thess. 1:6-10). After the earth is renovated by fire and made new, we see something coming down from heaven. It is a brilliant, crystal clear, dynamic, 1,400 mile cubed, living City, called the “Bride of the Lamb” – the “New Jerusalem”(Revelation 21:1–22:5). Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life can enter in to her (Rev. 21:27b).

Revelation 21:1–22:5

9 One of the seven angels … came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the New Jerusalem…

· A New (renovated by fire) Heaven and Earth Rev. 21:1

· It will come down out of heaven from God Rev. 21:2, 10

o Prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband

· God’s Dwelling now on earth Rev. 21:3-4

3 “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

o God is “making everything new – these are trustworthy and true words” from God Rev. 21:5

· Those who are “Thirsty” and are “Overcomers” inherit these things Rev. 21:6-7

· The “Second Death” and “Lake of Fire” are for those who do not overcome but continue to practice sin against God Rev. 21:8

· The Holy City brilliantly shines with the glory of God like that of a very precious jewel, like jasper, clear as crystal. Rev. 21:2-5; 11

· The City’s Size Rev. 21:15-21

o The City itself is laid out as a foursquare cube, 1,400 miles (12,000 stadia) in length, width and height.

o The city is pure gold, as clear as glass. The great street of the city was of pure gold, like transparent glass.

· The City’s Wall Rev. 21:12, 14, 17-20

o It had a great, high wall

o The wall of the city had twelve foundations, named with the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb

o Its wall is (144 cubits) 216 feet, by man’s measurement (it is unknown whether this measurement is the height or thickness of the wall)

o The wall was made of jasper

o The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.

· Twelve Gates Rev. 21:12-13, 21, 25

o It has a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at each of the gates. There are three gates on each side of the city: east, north, south and west.

o The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.

o Names of the Twelve Tribes of Israel’s are on the gates.

o On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.

· No Visible Temple. There is no visible temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb is its temple. Rev. 21:22

· The Light of the Glory of God and the Lamb. There is no need of the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. Rev. 21:23-25

· Nations throughout the earth will go in and out of the city. Rev. 21:24-27

o The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

o The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.

o Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

· The River of Life. There is a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. Rev. 22:1-2

· The Tree of Life. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Rev. 22:2

· No Curse. No longer will there be any curse. Rev. 22:3

· The Throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. Rev. 22:3-4

o They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.

· There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. Rev. 22:5

· And they will reign forever and ever. Rev. 22:5

Conclusion

The Wedding Supper of the Lamb is a dynamic topic unraveling the mysteries of God.

• The Trinity: Three = One
•Marriage: Two = One
•The Church, “The Bride”: Many = One

Each of these mysteries give profound realities of ONENESS and Unity even thought there is great Diversity.

The Great Heavenly Feast is Yet to Come! And this is just the beginning of Eternity!

•Jesus spoke of Heaven’s Kingdom with Wedding Parables and Statements.
•There will not be marriage in heaven, as we know it on earth.
•“The Feast” for all peoples, written about by Isaiah, Jesus and John

o The Faith of the Gentile Centurion and Coming the Feast in Heaven

o Jesus Himself Serve His Guests (His Bride) at His Wedding Supper

•Two New Testament Sacred Institutions and Divine Mysteries:

o Marriage and

o The Church

•The Holy City, “The Bride of the Lamb”

_______________________________

Endnote Scripture

Continuing Scripture regarding the Church

Romans 12:4–8

4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

(See also 1 Cor. 12:12-31; Eph. 4:4-16, “many parts = One Body”)

Ephesians 1:19–23

19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

The Church Reveals God’s Intent to the rulers and authorities in Heavenly Realms

Ephesians 3:9–11

9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ephesians 3:20–21

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Colossians 1:18

18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

Colossians 1:24

24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

1 Timothy 3:15–16

15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

1 Timothy 5:17–21

17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.

21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

Hebrews 12:18, 22–24

18 You have not come to a mountain (Mt. Sinai where the Law was given Ex. 19:12-22) that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm…

22 But you have come to Mount Zion (Is. 24:23; Rev. 14:1), to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Ephesians 4:11–13

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.