THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB:

*[[Rev 19:9]] WMTH* And he said to me, »Write as follows: `Blessed are those who receive an invitation to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb...

In the Ghanaian tradition, there are two main stages in a traditional marriage. First of all, the groom's father goes with a delegation to see the bride's family to make their intentions known to them. This is known as "Knocking". A list of items including the bride price is given to the groom's family for them to procure. After this, they set a date for the second stage i.e the traditional marriage ceremony which is the marriage itself (but in modern times, folks call it "Engagement" and regard church wedding as the main marriage), to be held in the bride's father's house. I remember Grace's dad telling me after the traditional marriage, "As far as we are concerned, you guys are already married". Traditionally, the groom is ready to take the bride away after this second stage and then go and celebrate with invited family members and friends (what is known as the "Wedding Reception" today).

Now, the ancient Jewish marriage ceremony at the time Jesus was born, was not so different from the Ghanaian traditional marriage described above. The celebration that takes place after the main marriage, is what is referred to as the "Marriage Supper" in the Jewish setting. So when John wrote about the marriage supper, his audience understood that it was not an invitation to a wedding, but a celebration of a wedding that had already taken place.

The Marriage of the Lamb

Before Grace and I got married, I remember referring to her as my wife sometimes, but she would quickly remind me that I couldn't call her that since we weren't married yet. So when Paul referred to the Church as the wife of Jesus Christ in Ephesians 5:23-32, it presupposes that there has already been a marriage ceremony.

"So brother Afriyie where and when did this marriage take place?" I'm glad you asked. You see, Jesus Christ is referred to as the Last Adam (1 Cor 15:45). In Genesis, we see how the First Adam had his wife...
*[[Gen 2:21-22/KJV]]*  21. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22. And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

The Hebrew word translated as "slept" is also sometimes used figuratively to mean "to die". For instance, when Job wished he had died at birth, he used the same Hebrew word figuratively.

[[Job 3:13]] KJV For now should I have lain still and been quiet, *I should have slept:* then had I been at rest,

This also explains why Jesus said Lazarus was "asleep" (John 11:11).

Now we see on the cross, how an incision was made in the side of Jesus when one of the Roman soldiers pierced him... *[[Joh 19:34]] ISV* Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water immediately came out.

When Eve was brought to Adam, he referred to her as, "...bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh..." (Gen 2:23). The next time this statement was used was in Ephesians when Paul was describing the relationship between the Church and Jesus... *[[Eph 5:30]] KJV* For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

After Adam had made this heartfelt romantic expression concerning Woman, we hear for the first time, the most quoted marriage verse...*[[Gen 2:24]] KJV* Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

The next time this verse was used again, was in Ephesians 5:31 when Paul was describing the relationship between the Church and Jesus Christ. Paul was quick to add that he was actually talking about Jesus in a mystery...

*[[Eph 5:32]] KJV* This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

John the Baptist - The Greatest Best Man

Have you ever wondered why in Matthew 11:11Jesus referred to John the Baptist as the greatest among all men born of woman? Well, it's because of all men, Jesus chose John the Baptist to be His best man or ring bearer at His wedding. This is what John said...
John.3.29 - The one who gets the bride is, by definition, the bridegroom. And the bridegroom's friend, his "best man'--that's me--in place at his side where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished and the marriage is off to a good start? "That's why my cup is running over. [MSB]

Did you see how John tells us he was satisfied or full of joy because the wedding was over?

That Jesus came for a wedding here on earth, is also evident when Jesus referred to  Himself as the bridegroom....

Luke.5.34 - Jesus answered, "Can you make the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? [NIV]

There are some preachers who say that we have to strive to be part of those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. They sometimes quote the story of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 and say we have to be like the five wise virgins or else the door will be shut and we shall find ourselves outside.

But from the evidence presented so far, we can see that there is no wedding going to take place in our future because we are the Church that's already married to Christ Jesus. Hence it puts the wedding and the marriage supper in the time and generation of the early Apostles. In other words, what John wrote in Revelation 19:9 was something that pertained to his time and generation.

Beloved, rest in Papa God's love. There is no end time doom ahead. For your maker is your husband. You are one spirit with God and He is constantly washing you with the pure water of His word. Shalom!!!

  LIVE-LOVE-SHINE®
  Afriyie Nyame Ministries
+233545753330/+233509824556