By John Richardson
SCRIPTURE
Revelation 19:6–9
[6] Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. [7] Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; [8] it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. [9] And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
OBSERVATION
John (the writer of Revelation) is recording a vision of the future, one that depicts the wedding feast of the Lamb. One cannot read these words and gloss over the image. A roaring multitude singing praises to God as the bride (the church) finally joins the groom (Christ). Every wedding is exciting; this one is fixed by invitation from God through Christ.
- Jesus hears a sound like that of rushing waters (think Niagara Falls) as people lift their voices collectively to praise God. This wedding feast displays the confirmed promise of Jesus’ words, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3). One sings because God reigns and has drawn His church to dwell with Him forever (v. 6).
- Ephesians 5:22-33 unfolds marriage on earth as the bride imaging the church and the groom connecting to Christ. The purpose is to show how a husband and wife should love one another and image the church/Christ relationship. The joy of the church in the text of Revelation brings instant praise because the wedding is happening…the bride is ready. Every member of the church will be ready to receive/celebrate over the union with Christ on that day. John continues to show that the church was granted clothes (righteousness). Christ gives the church the right standing before God, spotless, without blemish as the ready participant in eternal union. The righteousness of Christ brings forth righteous deeds by those who are part of the church, displaying the transformation as Christ works in and through them (vv. 7-8).
- Verse 9 brings an emphatic “write this” even though John is told to write all of this vision in chapter one of Revelation. The statement “write this” emphasizes or highlights the importance of the coming truth. “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Being the church is not just getting to heaven; it is about continuing in eternal relationship with God. The invitation is to commune with the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world. Every person who reads this should feel the urgency and joy of sharing the invitation with others (v. 9).
OBEDIENCE
Looking forward to the day when a believer stands face to face with God, praise will spring from saints’ lips. Understanding the wedding feast with the Lamb is seeing how much Christ did on a believer’s behalf, both in paying the sin debt and transforming them day by day.
- How do you look to spending eternity with Christ? Make time to reflect on the joy and expressing praise now for what Jesus has done/is doing.
- Christ desires to purge sin from your life. Spend time in prayer opening your heart to the Lord and allowing Him to point out sin. Confess and repent from those things that God uncovers.
- With all the negative noise that seems to invade our lives, see the blessing of being a child of the King. Right now, know that God is bring children from all over the globe to His church, and one day there will be a gathering of worshipers that thunders the heavens.
- Who around you need to be invited to the wedding feast with the Lamb? Pray that God would move people’s hearts to respond to His Word.
PRAYER
Ask God to open your eyes to your heart and see what sins are rooted in your life. Pray for the strength to repent. Praise God for calling you His bride and setting His affections on you.
