Sermon on 26 March 2023 by Pastor Justin
Introduction
The church age started when Jesus ascended to Heaven and will end when the rapture takes place. The church will be caught up and will not have to be go through seven years of tribulation. After these seven years, there will be the second coming of Christ.
Today, we will focus on verses 1-9 in Revelation chapter 19, about what the apostle John heard about the marriage supper of the Lamb – a great multitude of celebration in Heaven.
Message
To understand Revelation chapter 19, we need to understand the Jewish wedding customs during the time of Christ. First, there is the betrothal where the bride and bridegroom enter into a marriage covenant. The bride is promised to the bridegroom and keeps herself pure (1 Peter 1:19). This is the analogy for our betrothal to Jesus Christ our bridegroom. The bride will not know what hour but she knows the bridegroom is coming soon.She watches and waits.
Second, the bridegroom receives the bride. Matthew 25:1-13tells us about the parable of the 10 virgins. Those without oil in their lamps are not ready and will not be allowed to join the wedding party. This is the analogy for the rapture.
Third, the bride and bridegroom will reach the father’s house. They will have a wedding feast – the marriage supper (Revelation 19:6-9). The bride will then remain in the wedding chamber for seven days. In the same way, Jesus will receive us and keep us away from the seven years of tribulation.
The wedding feast is between the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and His Bride (the Church). It is a glorious celebration of all believers in Christ.
After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God! – Revelation 19:1
There are two heavenly words – “Amen” and “Hallelujah”. “Amen” means “truly”, and “agree, according to the word”. Learn to say “Amen” and “Hallelujah”.
“Alleluia” is Heaven’s anthem of praise:
1. God’s Salvation, Glory & Honor, Power Hallelujah (Rev 19:1)
2. God’s True & Righteous Judgement Hallelujah (Rev 19:2-3)
3. God's Sovereignty Hallelujah (Rev 19:4-5)
4. God’s Omnipotent Reigns Hallelujah (Rev 19:6)
And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!” – Revelation 19:4
Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” – Revelation 19:7-9
When we all get to heaven, there will be a day of rejoicing and we will sing and shout “Hallelujah!” After the marriage supper of the Lamb, we will return with Him to this earth (Rev 19:14).
And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. – Revelation 19:14
The Anti-Christ and the False Prophet will be cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. Jesus and His Bride will reign together for 1000 years (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
In the rapture, we will be caught up. In the Judgment Seat of Christ, we will be lifted up. In the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, we will be cheered up.
Jesus’ first and second comings are different. In the first coming, He came riding on a donkey, lowly and gentle (Matt 21:7), but in the second coming, He will be riding on a white horse, making war (Rev 19:11). In the first coming, Jesus had tears in His eyes (Luke 19:41-44) but in the second coming, He will have fire in His eyes (Rev 19:12). In the first coming, Jesus wore a crown of thorns which was given to mock him (Matt 27:29), but in His second coming, many crowns will be worn (Rev 19:12). In the first coming, Jesus’ blood was shed on the enemies (Matt 27:25), but in the second coming, the blood of the enemies will be shed on Jesus (Rev 19:13-15).
Closing
When we all get to heaven, it will be a day of rejoicing and celebration, and we will sing Heaven’s anthem of Hallelujah!
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