Revelation 19: A Vision of Two Suppers
As we turn our attention to Revelation 19, we are confronted with a striking contrast—the story of two suppers to be hosted by God. Each feast follows the rapture of the church and the tribulation on the earth and holds immense significance for believers and unbelievers alike.
The Marriage Feast
Following the tribulation and anticipating the immediate return of Christ, the reader is welcomed to celebrate the blessed union between the Lamb—Jesus Christ—and His beloved bride—the church of born-again believers from Pentecost to the Rapture. “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready” (19:7).
“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready” (19:7).
Jesus is the groom. He’s pledged Himself to the church. Feeble, distracted, forgiven sinners. Undeserving, yet loved by the glorious and awesome Son of God.
Have you ever seen a married couple and asked, “Why would she marry him?!” You may ask Jesus, “What do you see in her? She’s got no beauty, no money, no morals; she won’t love you as you want to be loved; she will only hurt you! Why would you marry her?” And the only answer is… love:
You may ask Jesus, “What do you see in her? She’s got no beauty, no money, no morals; she won’t love you as you should loved; she will only hurt you! Why would you marry her?” And the only answer is… love.
To better appreciate the significance of this marriage, we need to look at the ancient Jewish wedding customs. There were four stages:
1. First, the groom travels from his father’s house to the home of his future bride, pays the purchase price, and enters a marriage covenant. Jesus did this the first time He came.
2. Second, the groom returns to his father’s house for an extended period when he prepares their living accommodations in his father’s house.
John 14:2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
As believers, we are in this stage. Jesus paid the price; we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, and we are betrothed as His bride. We are currently waiting, cultivating a heart of readiness, telling others about Him, and anticipating Jesus’ return.
3. Third, the groom returns to take his bride at a time unknown to her—the rapture. To see Him again. To be changed from this point on.
4. The couple returns to his father’s house to consummate the marriage and celebrate the wedding feast with family and friends for seven days.
The angel then declares, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb” (19:9).
Who are the guests? The wedding supper of the Lamb takes place after the church is raptured, after the period of waiting, and after the second coming. The guests are those who come to trust Jesus for eternal life during the tribulation.
So the wedding takes place at the rapture and the supper in the kingdom.
The Fowls’ Feast
However, before the wedding feast can commence, there is one more event that must take place—the Battle of Armageddon. Revelation 19 describes the dramatic return of Jesus Christ, riding on a white horse, “Faithful and True,” His eyes “a flame of fire,” and His garments are “dipped in blood” (19:11-13).
As the armies of the earth gather to make war against Him, the beast and the false prophet will be seized and thrown “alive” into the lake of fire (19:19-20). And the rest of the unrighteous will be killed by the sword that comes from the mouth of the One who sits on the horse (19:21).
In a chilling contrast to the joyous marriage supper of the Lamb, Revelation 19:17-18 describes another supper—“the great supper of God.” In this feast, the birds of the air are the guests, and the menu consists of the flesh of the kings, commanders, and all who oppose God, small and great.
Revelation 19 presents a profound and contrasting vision of the future. It speaks volumes about God’s boundless love and the tragedy of rejecting it. As we anticipate Jesus’ return and what it means for us—and for Him, I mean, we’re talking WEDDING—may we experience the transformative power of His love and prayerfully introduce Jesus to others.