The Marriage Supper of the Lamb Eschatology The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

The Timing Most prophetic studies place the Marriage Supper of the Lamb during the seven years of the Tribulation. This fits the charts nicely. Unfortunately it does not fit the Biblical chronology. (Rev. 19:1-10) There is a critical phrase in verse one of this passage – after these things. If language means anything, everything described in Revelation 19 transpires after the events recorded in the previous chapters. In fact the past tense is obvious in verse 2.

There is every indication here that the Tribulation is coming to a close. Christ is about to be revealed in flaming judgment at the Battle of Armageddon. The Church has not yet been wed to Christ. The time of nuptials has come (verse 7) – for the marriage of the Lamb is come.

The Focus In western culture all the attention is upon the bride with little notice of the groom. In the eastern culture the opposite is true. In the grand wedding of Christ to the Church all the attention is upon the groom – Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come. All the glory and honor and praise will be directed exactly to where it is deserved. That is upon Him who has redeemed the Church. He first loved us and paid the price of our redemption. (Eph. 3:21)

This is the reason that the bride is reference after the groom This is the reason that the bride is reference after the groom. It is the same emphasis as the Messianic Psalm 45. The queen follows the honor of the groom (verse 9).

The Preparation If indeed the wedding transpires in heaven just prior to the Revelation, what has the church been doing for seven years? Revelation 19:7 answers, his wife hath made herself ready.  Betrothed as Joseph was to Mary (thy wife – Matthew 1:20) and ad Ruth was to Boaz, the Church is sealed in a contract by the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 1:13,14) The price of redemption is paid in full, the promise of God is secured, the wedding is coming. This is the imagery used by Paul. (2 Cori. 11:2)

The preparation of the Bride involves the Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom The preparation of the Bride involves the Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom. 14:10; 1 Cor. 3:13-15). Between the present dealings of God with the Church (Rom. 8:28-30; Eph. 5:5,26). Herein is the final consummation of the great plan of God in Christ. Currently the Church is regarded as blameless because of the imputed righteousness of Christ. (1 Th. 5:23). On the wedding day, the Church will be much more than blameless. Her righteousness will be perfect and she shall be faultless. (Jude 24 ,25; Rev. 19:8)

The Presentation As the bride is presented to the groom in the presence of the Father, there is a grand procession to banquet hall in the house of the groom (Rev. 19:14). The picture of the parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25 is typical of the oriental wedding. The marriage takes place in the Father’s house and at an unannounced hour a grand procession passes through the streets to the house of the groom where the marriage supper is spread.

There will be guests (likely Old Testament saints and Tribulation martyrs) and regenerated Tribulation saints (Jews and Gentiles) who enter into the joyous occasion. (Rev. 19:9) As Christ returns to establish His millennial kingdom, the Church will feast for 1,000 years. Instead of seven years of feasting as commonly assumed, the Marriage Feast of the Lamb will last for 1,000 years.