Dec 28 2020 - Revelation 19:1-21 – The wedding supper of the Lamb

In Revelation 19, the Hallelujah chorus celebrates three things: God’s judgment upon “the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries” (19:2); the unrivalled reign of “our Lord God Almighty” (19:6); the wedding of the Lamb to the bride that has been prepared for him (19:7).

These three are closely connected. God establishes his reign over all the earth by destroying all rival claims to power – all those who have sought to establish their own kingdom in the earth. God created humankind to bear his image and to rule over creation in his name and for his glory. The tragedy of human history is not that people have sought to rule over the earth but that they have sought to do so by their own power and for their own ends. They have sought to make gods of themselves. God will bring all rival claims to power to an end – good news for Christians suffering under the crushing power of Rome. God will at last answer the cry of his people in 6:19, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”, for here we read, “He has avenged on her the blood of his servants” (19:2).

With the destruction of all who have sought to build a kingdom for themselves, the scene is now set for the kingdom of God to be established in unrivalled glory. The prophecy of 11:15 has now been fulfilled, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” But Christ, the Messiah, will not reign alone. He has a bride who will share in his reign. The time has now come for him to take his bride, for him to be united with his people for all eternity (see the beautiful picture of Revelation 21).

Most of us like to receive a wedding invitation; we are pleased to share something of the joy of the couple being married. In 19:9 John is told, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” Who are those who are invited to the celebration? The answer is given in the closing verses of Revelation, “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.” It’s an open invitation. No one need be left out. All are welcome. The Spirit echoes the call of Christ to all who are thirsty to come to him and drink (John 7:37). The bride – those who know Christ – join in inviting all to come. Those who receive the invitation not only respond to it themselves but also pass it on to others. In the words of a tract by John Bunyan, “Come and welcome to Jesus Christ.”

Make sure that you don’t miss out on the greatest royal wedding in all of history. Be sure to be there.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your great love for us that brought you from glory to live among us. Thank you for your love that took you to the cross to die for us. Thank you that because of your love for us you want us to be with you for all eternity and to share in your reign over the world to come. Lord, we look with longing for the day of your coming – for our wedding day. Help us by your Spirit to busy ourselves with handing out invitations to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Peter Misselbrook