The Marriage Supper

The Jewish wedding consisted of three parts. The first part was the betrothal, which was the establishment of a marriage covenant that bound a couple together as husband and wife. This was more serious than our modern marriage engagement. On a sliding scale between intent and commitment, our modern engagement would be on the intent side, while the betrothal would be on the commitment side.

When this is understood, we recognize that the New Testament virtually opens with the foster father of our Lord mulling over the dilemma of his commitment to Mary and her apparent moral impurity. His decision is very much like our modern divorce, and his character is revealed in the manner in which he was considering doing it (privately). It was God’s intervening vision that revealed her immaculate conception, purity and the instruction to go through with the marriage plans.

The second stage of the wedding is the taking of the bride by the groom from her house to the house of his father. This normally takes place one year after the betrothal. This is done in the evening. The bride and the groom sleep together in his father’s house that first night, and the marriage is consummated. This second step was considered the actual wedding. In the analogy of Revelation 19, this happens in verse seven, “… the marriage of the Lamb has come.”

The third part of the wedding process was the feast. It could last a week or longer. It might last long enough that the host could run out of wine, which was the case at the wedding Jesus attended in Cana, as recorded in John chapter two. The principle in that story recorded by the apostle John is that God saves the best until last.

Today, the bride is buying her dress. She is getting her hair done. All of the final preparations are being made. The time of the Groom’s coming is near. No date has been given; but the expectations are high. He will snatch the bride away and take her to His Father’s house. In that place, there shall be presents, rewards food and dancing. The joy will exceed our wildest dreams. There will be no clocks or calendars at that feast. The sun will never go down.

This party is a “by invitation” only event. And you are invited. Until the bride is taken, the invitation is open to whosoever will receive it. Once the bride is gone, however, the door will be shut, and no more shall enter. Today, therefore, is the time to say, “yes,” to the offer of redemption.

The ancient Hebrew psalmist could see through the unfolded thick fog of centuries when he wrote, “… in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures forevermore.” And they are yours for the asking, if you will surrender your life to Him today.

The Marriage Supper

Revelation 19:7

The nature of the wedding

A. The intent

B. The event

C. The reward

2. The joy of anticipation

A. Of the groom

B. Of the bride

C. Of the new relationship

What will we do in heaven?

A. Rejoice

B. Be glad

C. Give glory