You’re invited to dinner. Not just any dinner, but a vast super banquet prepared by the Creator of the universe to celebrate the consummation of His Son’s marriage to His bride, the church. Everyone on earth will, in some manner, participate in this ceremony. The bride, of course, consists of those Jesus gathered to Himself at His coming. “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me ‘write: blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” (Revelation 19:7-9)
In the Old Testament, God frequently used the metaphor of Israel as His “wife” who was mostly unfaithful to her Husband. There are many accounts of Israel “prostituting” herself from God by her worship of other pagan gods. In spite of all that, God spoke of mercy and forgiveness in the future. Speaking of that day, Hosea records: “And it shall be in that day, says the Lord, that you will call Me ‘My Husband’, and no longer call Me ‘my Master’. I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in loving kindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord.” (Hosea 2:16, 19-20). In the New Testament, the apostle Paul knew full well that his preaching was to prepare a bride for Christ. “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I might present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2)
At least twice, Jesus used parables to describe this coming millennial wedding feast. While dining with many at the house of a Pharisee, Jesus said this; “Blessed is he who shall eat dinner in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 14:15). He then went on to relate a parable about an influential man who gave a great supper and invited many. Those invited began to give flimsy excuses for why they could not come, so he sent his servant out into the city streets, highways, and hedges to invite the poor, maimed, lame, and the blind, compelling them to come so that his house might be filled. (Luke 14: 16-24). Another time Jesus taught again in parables: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for His son.” (Matthew 22: 2). Like the previous parable, the king sent his servants out inviting them to the wedding, but the invitees made light of it. They proceeded to beat and even kill his servants. The king was furious and sent out his armies, killing those murderers and burning their cities. He then sent his servants to the countryside and invited as many as they could find to the wedding banquet. At the wedding itself those who were found without wedding garments were taken away and cast into outer darkness. (Matthew 22:1-14). Jesus’s main point in these parables was to stress that His bride and wedding banquet guests need to heed His invitation and be properly clothed , without “spot or wrinkle”, that they may freely partake at His dinner.
Undoubtedly, this banquet will also fulfill the Passover as a “Seder of Seders”, marking the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for His bride. At the last supper, Jesus said this to His disciples: “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” (Luke:22:15-16). At this last supper, though He was their Master, He took on the role of servant, washing their feet and serving them bread and wine. So it will be at His marriage supper. He told His disciples: “Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning ; blessed are those servants whom the Master, when He comes, will find watching. I say to you that He will gird Himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.” (Luke 12:35,37)
It’s difficult for the human mind to comprehend what this banquet will be like. It will be based in the world’s new capital, Jerusalem, and yet celebrated across the entire world. How Jesus and His Father will accomplish this while maintaining intimacy with each participant is unfathomable. But we do know this; They will do it. And the Son and Bridegroom will be glorified through it all.
Maranatha, Jim