“Write” is the exhortation to John in Revelation 19:9. He was to write down what he heard. We write things down because the information is important. We write things so that we do not forget. We write so that future generations might have this data also.
But what was John to record? “Blessed are those which are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Believers are not invited to a slumber party or a bar mitzvah, but a wedding feast—with Jesus as the faithful Groom. This phrase was written down by John (v. 5) and it has been copied and recopied for two thousand years. Even today we stand incredulous at the thought of His dynamic invitation. But what can this mean? How can we reconcile the concept of the Lamb of God with a marital dinner?
It is not called “the marriage supper of the King,” nor is it called “the marriage supper of the Lion of Judah.” It is a wedding feast held in honor of the Groom by a term that can only refer to His nature as God’s sacrificial Lamb. John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). Isaiah, seven hundred years before this, referred to the Messiah as a Lamb brought to the slaughter in Isaiah 53. One cannot separate Jesus from His sacrifice on the cross, and the very last book of the Bible lays special emphasis upon this fact. Jesus is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8). From Genesis through Revelation, we never lose sight of Jesus’ sacrificial nature as the Son of God. His sacrifice for our sins is an everlasting one. By putting faith in His sacrifice as the Lamb of God, we will live eternally with Him. The marriage of Christ with His bride, the church, is epitomized by this future event which the Voice from the throne called “The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.”
Although Jesus was never married to a woman, He stands as our example of perfect husbandry. He is presented to us as one who is gentle and loving. His foundational characteristic is that of servant hood. Jesus comes before us as one espoused to His bride, the Church. On His wedding day—the day when He is officially joined with His Church at the Marriage Supper—He comes as One who is selfless. On that great day, when Jesus takes His bride and leads her home to His Father’s house, He does so as One who epitomizes self-sacrifice, not as one who demands subservience. We love Him as the faithful Groom because He has suffered and sacrificed for His bride. His nature draws out the love of His bride, His church, for whom He has laid down His life.
Marriage is intended by God to be a happy and blessed state. Earthly weddings presuppose a joyful and fulfilling marital life. The Marriage Supper represents the beginning of an eternal union with Christ Jesus. The term “blessed” means “happy.” “Happy are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” But this happiness is only possible because of the sacrificial nature of the Groom. Jesus came, lived and died for His bride.
Husband, you don’t have to wait. You can begin to develop a sacrificial nature for your bride today. With Jesus as your example of servant hood, you can make your bride happy by your character and godly attitude. We love Him because He first loved us. If you want the respect of your wife, you must follow Jesus’ example of selflessness. If you invited Jesus to your wedding, be sure to also invite Him into your marriage, allowing Him to be the true Head of your home.