The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Revelation 19:1-10

 

INTRO: In chapter 17, religious Babylon is destroyed to rise no more. At her demise, all of heaven says: "Alleluia." This is the same as "Hallelujah," Both of which mean, "Praise the Lord!" (Rev 19:1).

In chapter18, commercial Babylon falls. Once again, there is a resounding, "Alleluia," "Praise the Lord"(19:3).

In Revelation 19:4, another "alleluia" rings out. This time in worship to Almighty God who is about to redeem the earth. The "amen" of Rev 19:4 speaks of the highest praise that human speech can utter. It is a word of avowal, of commitment to the truth. In Psalm 72, such praise and commitment is given to our Savior (Psa 72:8-9,17, 19).

The fourth "alleluia" is in verse 6 and comes in response to a call from the throne itself. God is sovereign; He rules; He is all powerful!

Revelation 19:1-6 has been called the New Testament Hallelujah Chorus.

In verses 7-10 another reason for rejoicing is given. "The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready" (Vs 7).

 

VSS 1-3, THE ALLELUIAS OF THE REDEEMED IN HEAVEN

Vs 1, What we read here is in response to the invitation given in Rev 18:20. With the destruction of the two Babylons, there is a change of tone to the Revelation. The Second Coming of Christ is just around the corner. And, " the somber gives way to song. The transfer is from darkness to light, from black to white, from dreary days of judgment to bright days of blessing" (McGee Vol 2 66).

The much people in heaven are these who were raptured before the tribulation began, and those saints martyred in the tribulation now in heaven.

These express their praise to God in four marvelous words:

"Salvation" this refers to the Gospel. All who go to heaven must believe it. Salvation is deliverance; it is passing from death unto life, from dark to light. And it is all of grace. "Salvation is of the Lord."

"Glory"– this speaks of God’s moral glory in judgment. God gets the praise (Rom3:23).

"Honour"– God deserves the honor for our salvation. No man can save himself. God does all the work.

"Power"– it is through God’s power that the work of salvation is accomplished (John 1:12).

Vs 2, "True and righteous are his judgments." God never fails; He never makes mistakes. All of His actions are built on truth. God cannot be unfair.

The great whore is judged. The universal false church is destroyed.

God avenges the blood of the millions of martyrs.

Vs 3, The praise continues. All the cults and false religions are gone as well as the great whore.

 

VS 4, THE ALLELUIA OF THE TWENTY FOUR ELDERS AND THE FOUR BEASTS

The Old and New Testament saints represented by the twelve tribes of Israel, and the twelve Apostles, along with the cherubim who are around the throne worship God.

God is on the throne, now and forever. He is in control.

"Amen" says, "I believe it," or "even so."

"Alleluia," "Hallelujah, Praise the Lord."

 

VSS 5-6, THE ALLELUIA OF THE GREAT MULTITUDE

Vs 5, A voice is heard coming from the throne calls upon God’s servants to praise the Lord.

The occasion of praise is those wicked ones who persecuted the people of God.

We are to keep on praising God.

Vs 6, Here we have a very large group of people shouting and singing praises to the Lord.

 

VSS 7-8, THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

Vs 7, Up in heaven, near the end of the tribulation, a wonderful event takes place in heaven, "the marriage of the Lamb."

Not everyone will be in the bride. Only those who are members of a true New Testament church will be in the bride.

To have a wedding, you must have a bridegroom. Christ is the bridegroom.

In II Cor 11:2, Paul is concerned for the church at Corinth, a local, visible church, that was espoused to Christ the bridegroom.

John 3:29-30 speaks of Christ as the bridegroom and John the Baptist as the best man. John baptized the Apostles, the first church members. (Acts 1:22; I Cor 12:28).

"His wife hath made herself ready." The bride has made preparation.

We prepare by being obedient, following the Lord in baptism (Acts 2:41).

We prepare through the work of the local church (Eph 4:11-12). Every bride takes pride in preparation for the wedding.

Vs 8, The bride was "granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen clean and white...."

"Granted"– allowed because of her faithfulness.

"Clean and white"

The true church is clean and pure having not committed fornication with false religion or false doctrine.

She has held to and contended "for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).

"The fine linen is the righteousness of saints." These speaks of godly living, of good deeds, not to be saved but because of salvation.

There must be righteous deeds if you are going to be in the bride.

Not everyone on the church roll will be in the bride.

Vs 9, An invitation is extended to the friends or guests. This again teaches that not everyone is going to be in the bride. All are in family, but not all are in the church.

"Write"– send out the invitation.

"Blessed"– happy will be those who are guests. Those are Old Testament saints, New Testament saints outside the church, and tribulation saints.

"Marriage supper of the Lamb"– this is the great wedding feast.

Vs 10, Notice John’s response to all this. He got excited and fell on his knees to worship the angel.

The angel rebuked him saying: "I am thy fellow servant"– servant of the brethren.

"Worship God"– that is the angels command.

"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

Prophecy is designed to reveal our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit opens to us the truth of prophecy and of its heart, Christ (Jn 16:13-15).

 

 

CONCLUSION: Are you going to the wedding supper?

 

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