Celebration: The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

 By: Lauren Thomas 

Would it even be a wedding reception without the song “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang? You can’t help but move to the groove! Even if it’s not your style, it’s a feel-good song about celebrating good times. And who doesn’t love to do that?

Maybe it’s a stretch, but this song reminds me of a passage in the Bible. It’s one that references what is known as “The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.” The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is a term that comes from Revelation 19:6-9, which paints a picture of Christ, the Lamb, wedding the Bride, or the Church. Those invited to this marriage supper are called blessed. In Isaiah, there are references to this party as well. Specifically, the song celebration reminds me of Isaiah 25:6-9:

 

On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples

a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine,

of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.

7 And he will swallow up on this mountain

the covering that is cast over all peoples,

the veil that is spread over all nations.

8     He will swallow up death forever;

and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces,

and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth,

for the Lord has spoken.

9 It will be said on that day,

“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.

This is the Lord; we have waited for him;

let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

Isaiah 25:6-9 ESV

 

Those blessed to be invited to this heavenly wedding reception will experience the end of death, the ceasing of reproach, the wiping away of every tear. In another passage in Isaiah (65:17-25), we read other wonderful aspects of this time in heaven: babies won’t die, the aged won’t die, children won’t be born for calamity; toil will be rewarded – not with thorns and briars according to the curse; there will be no weeping or crying, but instead, joy and gladness; there will be no hurting or destruction; God will answer before we even call. What could be better than this? As the song goes, it’s “a celebration to last throughout the years”! Can you imagine this celebration in Heaven? Can you imagine dancing with loved ones in this kind of joy and delight before the throne of God?

 

Revelation 19:9 says, blessed are those who are invited. And let me tell you, YOU have been invited. I hope you’ll come…

 

 “COME ON AND CELEBRATE!”

 

Reflection:

Read the passages referenced throughout this post. What are you looking forward to about this celebration?

Read Matthew 22:1-14 to find your wedding invitation.

Think of the last time you really celebrated at a wedding reception. How will the Marriage Supper of the Lamb be similar?