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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
In his vision in Revelation 19:7-10, John saw and heard the heavenly multitudes praising God because the wedding feast of the Lamb-literally, the "marriage supper"-was about to begin. The concept o...
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John Appelt
Supporter
The “marriage supper of the Lamb” is a future event, Revelation 19:7-9. The same Greek word, “gamous,” is used for both for the marriage and marriage feast. They are one and the same, John 2:1-2, Matthew 22:2-4, Luke 12:36-37, 14:8-10. The announcement comes at the time of great rejoicing because the harlot has been judged, preparing the way for the marriage of the Lamb and His bride, His wife, Revelation 19:1-8. While it is now the appropriate time for the pure, undefiled bride to be married, things must occur before it can happen. First, the Lord must come to the earth to judge the nations and remove all opposition, banishing the beast and false prophet to the lake of fire, Revelation 19:9-21. (The supper of the great God is another unrelated supper.) Also, Satan must be bound, Revelation 20:1-3. Because of this, the explanation of the supper of the Lamb, being right after the rapture and taking place in heaven, does not make sense. Then, the judgment of the righteous and the resurrection of the tribulation believers must take place, Revelation 20:4-6. The narrative about Satan resumes, Revelation 20:7-10, describing how he is released at the end of the 1,000 years to deceive nations until he, too, is cast into the lake of fire. Then, the great white throne judgment is described, when the unbelieving dead are judged, Revelation 20:11-15. Revelation 21:1-10 backs up in time to the millennium, when God will dwell with men, and when the previously announced marriage will take place. The marriage consists of the Lamb and His wife who is shown to be the New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:2, 9-10. By implication, the bride is Israel, whose capital city is Jerusalem. In their future is the promised New Jerusalem. The church, which is not mentioned in Revelation 21, is not the bride, as Ephesians 5:25-32 is thought to teach. The church is called the “body of Christ,” one body as in marriage, Romans 7:4. The relationship of what believers are in Christ is emphasized. Paul does not use the word “bride” in any of his epistles. II Corinthians 11:2 seems to say believers are the bride, but Paul’s point is that he is concerned that the church as a chaste virgin be always presented blameless unto Christ. It is an illustration. The only bride is the nation of Israel, who was once married to the LORD or Yahweh, and divorced, Jeremiah 3:14, 20, 31:32, Isaiah 54:5-6, 62:4-5, Hosea 2:15-18. God asked Israel to return to Him, Jeremiah 4:1. She will eventually be married to Him, who is now called the Lamb, John 1:29. Hebrews 1:8-10 indicates Jesus is LORD or Yahweh. Adam Clarke commented in Matthew 22:2, that this feast is also the feast of inauguration, as illustrated in I Samuel 11:15, I Kings 1:5-9, 19, 25. Christ will be in possession of the government. He and His subjects, that is, Israel, will become married/joined together in a new covenant, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hosea 3:4-5, Zechariah 8:7-8.
Lena Wms
Supporter
I like Brother Houdman's answer with this one exception, the church is not the Bride. If we look at the Song of Solomon, we can plainly see that the mother's children were angry with her because she had started a different kind of relationship with the bridegroom... they made her the keeper of the vineyard, but her own she didn't have time to keep until she completely separated from them. SoS 1:6 As Brother Houdmann pointed out, in the parable of the 10 virgins, someone knew the bridegroom was coming and put out the call... wake up! It was the bride! Matt. 25:6 John the Baptist told his disciples that he was Jesus' best man, or friend of the groom. John 3:29 In any wedding today we have the guest, the wedding party, then the bride and bridegroom. There is no way the bridegroom is going home with the guest, or even the bridal party... No, all he wants is his love, his undefiled, his beloved, his fair one. Funny how that sounds just like the Song of Solomon. This is how Jesus will be: He is not looking for spiritual babes, He wants mature, grown beloved ones that have sold out to Him, separated from all others and are wholly devoted unto Him. As a bride adorned for her husband.... This is NOT the entire church world, but an individual walk, a solitary walk... just you and your Beloved Jesus. The marriage supper of the Lamb will be the joyous celebration of the marriage of the Lamb of God to His bride, His undefiled. There will be witness, guests, a bridal party... groomsman and virgins.. but there will also be a bride.. Be Blessed Lena
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