Alpha and Omega, Part 46, Revelation Part 23
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
Revelation 19:1-10
Introduction
- Been studying Revelation together, to understand God’s plan for creation
-- REM: Redemption of sin is granted through Jesus; and yes, we have a choice
- Last week we unpacked question:
-- “Why does God have so much anger towards the city of Babylon?”
• The pride of great men
• Their spiritual corruption
• It has led people (God’s creation) astray
• Because of the persecution and death of believers
- Today, we will unpack a great vision that we are given of future celebration
-- Might as well emphasize this: “Don’t be late for this dinner invitation!”
- Read Revelation 19:1-10 / Pray TR: Two things to see tonight …
Point 1 – The wedding supper will be an occasion for praise!
- Weddings are always a time of celebration and are meant to be special
-- This will be the first time that ALL the redeemed will come together
-- Consider this: God has prepared a celebration for all that His Son has done!
- What happens at this tremendous gathering in Heaven?
1. Praise for salvation (v1)
- Salvation and glory belong to God alone – He has accomplished this
-- We can see that honor belongs to God, as well as power for His deeds
-- REM: He has set all of this (creation’s mess) back to its right place
- Because of who He is, we are called together to praise Him for His work
-- Paul: 2 Cor 9:15, “Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!”
2. Praise for victory (v2-3)
- What victory? The godless politics of this world will come to an end!
1. He will avenge the persecution of those who willingly followed
2. He will return to the earth (see on Sunday) to establish righteousness
- Centrally celebrated is the great victory of Christ at the cross
-- But even bigger – that God’s beloved creation has access to Him once again
-- Without a mediator – humanity is given the ability to see, speak to, & ask God
-- Paul: Colossians 1:12, “He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.”
3. Praise for worship (v4)
- Don’t miss this – the 24 elders and four living creatures lead this worship
-- They burst forth with one and only word: “Hallelujah” Why?
- FACT: God is so wonderful that He just deserves Heaven’s praise
-- It’s not for just one thing – but for all the things – He is simply, marvelous!
-- David: Psalm 57:5, “Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth.”
4. Praise for God’s omnipotent reign (v5-6)
- A voice comes from the throne to call all of Heaven to worship
-- And the response? Thank God for all He has done and for His sovereignty!
- It is quite the stark contrast to what is happening on the Earth (then / now)
-- Humanity has railed against God for so long, that it’s a natural reaction
-- Yet, in Heaven, there is a call to praise and a response of worship!
-- Re-read vv5-6 – emphasize their response in v6
- APP: The focus will be solely on the Lamb and all He has done for the Father!
-- Question: What does the wedding supper focus on?
Point 2 – The wedding supper will have a pure and prepared bride!
- First, we see the bride (this is the church) prepares herself (v7)
• How? The sinner comes to Christ for Salvation
• Then, the believer follows Christ for proper living
• APP: The only reason we get an invite is because of the gift of Salvation
- Then, the bride (the church or the believer) does righteous deeds
• BIG: Our righteousness in Christ is what gets us the invitation
• APP: Apart from Him, we can do nothing to earn a seat at the table
• Thus, when we are invited, we are given the “royal treatment” from Christ
- GR: bussinos; of fine linen, cotton
- GR: katharos; clean, pure, unstained, guiltless
- Don’t miss this: We are given a garment that: (v8)
• Shows our righteous deeds were accomplished and is a reward for them
• A garment that shows position and responsibility (pure and spotless)
• A garment that rewards us for our faithfulness (no more mourning)
- Know this: The wedding supper will be an event of epic celebration!
- But see this: It will be blessed because of those who are invited to come (v9)
-- Those who have put their trust in Christ, or those who’ve been Redeemed
-- These are the guests of honor – they are personal invites of the host (Groom)
-- RE: The groom has called the guests to come; it is His (Jesus) invitation
- This is why John is told to not worship the angel – but only to worship God (v10)
-- APP: In this moment, John is still human – still in his physical body as a man
-- Naturally, he falls down to worship the angel – the messenger – but is corrected
- Why? Because what he is seeing has overtaken his ability to stand!
-- It truly is an opportunity to seek this verse: Psalm 95:6, “Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker”
- It will be blessed because it is for the worship of God alone
-- The supper represents the testimony we each have of Jesus’ actions
-- This dinner party is the culmination of all of Heaven to find comfort in Jesus
- This marriage supper is a celebration of what Christ has done for all the invited
-- This is why the event is so incredible – all of Heaven comes together for it!
- This sets us up for the most awe-inspiring event since the rapture …
-- It is the culmination of history: the return / second coming of Jesus (Sunday)
