Many of you are familiar with the language and analogies that the Bible uses regarding marriage and its symbolism with Christ. I love these analogies because they are so rich, but sometimes I think we underplay them at times. Let me explain.
"Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
"Hallelujah!
For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
and give Him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come,
and His bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean,
was given her to wear."
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
The the angel said to me, 'Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!' And he added, 'These are the true words of God."
Revelation 19:6-9
When we think about the wedding of Christ and the Church we often think about the wedding ceremony. We think of something formal, sacred and rich with symbolism. All these thoughts are great, but if that's where you stop with the analogy you're missing out.
Continue the analogy to the wedding supper of the Lamb.
I recently had the opportunity to be the best man in a wedding for a great friend of mine. The wedding ceremony was great. It was rich with symbolism, formality and sacredness. My dad performed the ceremony, I sang a song, the bride was dressed beautifully, they exchanged sacred vows... it was great. But that wasn't the whole story of the wedding. The reception rocked! It was fun, loud and full of revelers. The reception had amazing food, an open bar and dancing. People were celebrating the marriage of two people dear to them.
We need to remember this aspect of Christ's marriage to the Church. The wedding supper of the Lamb will be a rocking time. We'll have no inhibitions like its an open bar, dance your socks off reception. I mean, can you imagine the joy and dancing that will fill this heavenly reception hall!?!
"Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" Translation: "Dude, this is one party you won't want to miss!"
Are you filled with joyful expectation for that party? Are you excited to dance like there's nothing to lose (because there will be nothing to lose) at the wedding supper of the Lamb? Are you smelling a hint of the luscious food that will be served at that feast?
Jesus swore to beautify His bride the Church. He has promised to make His bride clean and bright. He will do that. And He'll throw one amazing reception! "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'... 'These are the true words of God."
Anticipate this feast. Help others anticipate it. Let the world know how blessed it is to be at the wedding supper of the Lamb. Wait in eager anticipation today.
Hi Matthew,
ReplyDeleteI guess you probably know how your dad would think about an open bar reception as a Southern Baptist. I enjoyed Duane's reception and think every one had great fun and behaved fine. But do you think at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb people will be free to rejoice because there will be alcohol there in heaven.
Remember Paul said, "Be not drunk with wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit." Some will say this means drinking alcohol is fine in moderation. Maybe that is true. But I think it means when you are filled with the Holy Spirit you have a joy and happiness that comes without drinking alcohol.
It seems many young people today think you cannot have fun with out drinking. Although most people can drink in moderation, many people who begin social drinking become alcoholics. Also many sins mentioned in the Bible, such as carousing and licentiousness are pour moral choices people make often when drinking has lower their inhibitions.
And I think many people who frequent bars are often exposed to a negative environment. And I have seen many a young marriage break up when one or both people begins to get into a habit of going out with their single friends to drink.
I want you to know I am proud of you and I know you and Christine have a strong commitment to the Lord. You can do whatever you want at your reception. But I chose when I got married not to have alcohol, that may be old fashioned, but I think we still had fun. And I never heard of people having too many problems from not drinking.
Your Old Fashioned DAD
Dad,
ReplyDeleteThe post wasn't written to encourage drinking. In fact, if I had to take a stance on drinking that applied to everyone it would be that everyone abstain from drinking (that being said I don't think we need to take a stance that applies to everyone).
The point of the post was that the wedding feast of the Lamb will have an celebratory like that of an open bar wedding reception. The analogy was to say that this won't have the feel of an up-class pre-Opera reception... the feast won't be boring or uptight... it will be the greatest celebration the world has ever seen.
At the feast we will NOT be drunk or drinking alcohol. We will be enraptured by the victory of Christ and all that goes with it being a reality.
As for my wedding reception. It will not be an open bar. We don't want to encourage drunkenness. But we will have some alcohol available to those that chose to purchase it from the reception hall.
Thanks Dad.