THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB!

Today, we are sharing on “THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB!” After the rapture of the church (1 Thess. 4:16-17), two things will happen simultaneously: (1) the marriage supper of the Lamb in Heaven, and (2) the Tribulation on earth.

In Revelations 19:6-9 the Bible said, "…Alleluia! For the Lo rd God Omnipotent reigneth! 7 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." 8 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…9 Blessed are those who are called to THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB…"

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is a glorious celebration for all who are in Christ! Two things will happen one after the other: (1) The marriage of the Lamb, and (2) The marriage supper of the Lamb.

The concept of the Marriage Supper can be better understood in the light of the wedding customs in the time of Christ. These wedding customs had three major parts:

1. First, a marriage contract was signed by the parents of the bride and the bridegroom, and the parents of the bridegroom or the bridegroom himself would pay a dowry to the bride or her parents. This began what was called the betrothal period - what we would today call the engagement. This period was the one Joseph and Mary were in when she was found to be with child (Matt. 1:18).

2. The second step in the process usually occurred a year later, when the bridegroom, accompanied by his male friends, went to the house of the bride at midnight, creating a torchlight parade through the streets. The bride would know in advance this was going to take place, and so she would be ready with her maidens, and they would all join the parade and end up at the bridegroom’s home. This custom is the basis of the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1–13.

3. The third phase was the marriage supper itself, which might go on for days, as illustrated by the wedding at Cana in John 2:1–2.

What John’s vision in Revelation pictures is the Wedding Feast of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and His bride (the Church) in its third phase.

What does this imply? The implication is that the first two phases have already taken place. The first phase was completed on earth when each individual believer placed his or her faith in Christ as Savior.

The dowry paid to the bride’s parents would be the blood of Jesus Christ. That is to say that: The Church on earth today, then, is “betrothed” to Christ, and, like the wise virgins in the parable, all believers should be waiting and watching for the appearance of the Bridegroom (the Rapture).

The second phase symbolizes the Rapture of the Church, when Christ comes to claim His bride and take her to the Father’s house. The marriage supper then follows as the third and final phase.

After the rapture of the church (1 Thess. 4:16-17), two things will happen simultaneously: (1) The marriage of the Lamb in Heaven, and (2) The Tribulation on earth.

When will the marriage supper take place? The marriage supper of the Lamb will take place in Heaven after the Rapture and following the judgment seat of Christ, where the members of the church will be rewarded for their faithful service (See 1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).

The church, "the bride of Christ" and our Lord Jesus Christ will be officially married in Heaven.

How will the bride of Christ identified? Righteousness identifies the bride. They will be dressed in “fine linen,” which represents “the righteous acts of the saints.”

Ephesians 5:27, indicates the manner in which the Bride will be presented to Christ: "a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."

While the earth is suffering through the last violent pangs of the Tribulation, the church will enjoy a wedding in Heaven, followed by an unspeakable feast!

The Judgment Seat of Christ, which will take place after the Rapture, will precede the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and immediately after the judgment of reward has been presented to the last believer, the Marriage of the Lamb will take place.

How long will this feast last? It will last for 7 years, from the time we arrive Heaven with Jesus till the end of the Tribulation.

Is it everybody that can attend this wedding? All sorts of people are welcome to be part of Christ's wedding. So the invitation is open to everyone (Lk. 14:16-24).

However, you must be called to attend before you can. Revelations 19:9 says, “…Blessed are they which are CALLED (invited) UNTO THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB…”

Who are those invited to the Marriage of the Lamb? These they include:

1. The friends of the Bride and groom!

Who are these friends? It cannot be the Church because the Church is the Bride of Christ and you do not invite the bride or groom to their wedding.

The Old Testament saints will be in heaven and will have their rewards, but they are not the Bride of Christ.

God called Abraham His friend (Isa. 41:8; Jam. 2:23). In Exodus 33:11 God spoke to Moses face to face as a man speaks to a friend.

John the Baptist, the last Old Testament Prophet who came in the spirit of Elijah indicated that he was a friend of the Bridegroom (Jn. 3:29-30).

So then, all the believing dead from Adam until the resurrection of Christ will be guests at this feast.

2. The other guests are those saved during the Tribulation. In addition to them are those who have received the Savior during the Tribulation, both Jew and Gentile, many of whom would have been martyred for the testimony of Christ.

After going through the sea of glass mingled with fire, they will join the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

What of the Old Testament Saints? We are by no means implying that the Old Testament saints are inferior to the Church, or the body of Christ, but we are merely pointing out that this is a special blessing for the Church.

Here is the point: Now Israel, or the guests at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb, have promises and relationships to Him in which we shall not share; however, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb is an experience reserved for the Church.

Why did God create man? Why are we here on this earth? It is because God wants to be married. Isaiah 54:5 says, “For thy Maker is thine husband…”

Now God the Father decided to choose a wife for Himself and He chose the nation of Israel. He even paid a bride prize.

In Isaiah 43:1-2 the Lord said, “O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; THOU ART MINE. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

Then, God began to talk about the bride prize. “I gave Egypt, Ethiopia and Seba to Cyrus in exchange for your freedom, as a ransom” (Isa. 43:3-4). Others died that you might live. “I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to Me and honoured, and I love you.” So God paid a bride prize.

“For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4 Since thou wast precious in My sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life” (Isa. 43:3-4).

Others died that you might live. “I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to Me and honoured, and I love you.” So God paid a bride prize.

And people ask, “Why did God drown the armies of Egypt in the Red Sea?” By so doing, He was paying the bride prize for Israel.

Why did God kill all the first born of Egypt? That was part of the bride prize for Israel. What of Syria and Seba? They were also part of the bride prize.

Therefore, God decided to marry Israel. You find out that each time Israel offended God through Idolatry, the Bible recorded that Israel committed whoredom (spiritual adultery). Why do you leave your husband (God the Father) and go after another man (idol)?

Before the human history began, the Trinity held a meeting. God the Father was the chairman. Jesus was the legal adviser.

How do I know? I know because Isaiah 9:6 calls Him the Counsellor. And Jesus gave a counsel saying, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness… (Gen. 1:26-28).

In that meeting of the Trinity, it was also decided that Jesus, the Son of God, was going to select His own wife from all the nations of the world, not only from Israel. I believe that when we get to Heaven, we shall see all kinds of people from various nations of the earth (Rev. 7:9-10).

So, it was decided that Jesus will marry. He will choose at least someone from every tribe, country, nation, tongue.

It was also agreed that everyone that was going to be a part of the bride of Christ must be approved by God the Father. The Bible clearly declares that God the Father must be involved in the choice of that person (Jn. 6:44).

Yes! You cannot come to Jesus except the Father says, “Ok, you can be part of the bride of Christ.” This implies that it is God the Father that chooses the bride of Christ for Him.

I thank God He drew me. And I thank God because He has drawn you also. And those of you who think they are reading this article by accident today should know that it is God the Father drawing you to Jesus.

Jesus paid a higher bride prize. God the Father married only Israel, so the bride prize was smaller.  But Jesus’ marriage to bride from many nations, tongues, kindred attracted a higher bride prize.

How then did Jesus meet up with this high cost? He had to pay with His own blood (1 Pet. 1:18-2; 1 Cor. 6:19-20).

So, when Jesus came the first time, what did He come to do? He simply came for introduction [iku aka, knocking], and to pay the dowry.

How did He accomplish that? Jesus went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him (Acts 10:38).

He went about introducing Himself saying, “I am the Bridegroom,” I am the light of the world (Jn. 8:12), I am the bread of life (Jn. 6:35), I am the resurrection and the life (Jn. 11:25-26).

And you know that when you go to your in-laws house, you need to behave well. When Jesus comes the second time (the Second Advent of Christ), He will be coming for the marriage proper. Will you be ready for Him then?

At the moment, Jesus Christ is in Heaven seated at the right hand of God the Father. What is He doing right now?

1.      He is preparing for His wedding, and

2.      He is interceding for His wife (the church) not to change her mind. The church is in a period of courtship with Jesus Christ right now.

He said that He is preparing the wedding chamber. That is where He and I will be for our honeymoon.

In John 14:2-3 Jesus said, “In My Father's house [dwelling place] are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

One could ask, “If there are many mansions already, why then does He need to go and prepare a place?” It is because over there some people may not get a seat. So He’s got to go and prepare a place for Ifeanyi Madubunyi. My own seat is already reserved. I believe He has reserved one for you also if you are truly Born Again.

What is the place where the marriage supper of the Lamb will be held like? The very building where the marriage supper of the Lamb will be held is very tall. It has arched supports and columns that are about 50 feet apart. The pavilion of this building is about 20 miles long. The tables where the marriage supper of the Lamb will be held is made of gold, and inlaid with jewels. These tables are lined with chairs that look like king’s thrones. There are three rows of table in a racking semicircle, with a throne in the background. Each chair has a name engraved on the inside of the back. These names were engraved as soon as they were recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life. There are goblets filled with sweet nectar from Heaven. A golden dish is filled with heaven’s best. Everything is prepared to perfection. There is room enough for more than multiplied millions of people.

What will Jesus do as we arrive Heaven? The first thing Jesus will do as we arrive Heaven is to present us (His bride) to His Father.

Who will be the officiating minister of this wedding? The minister officiating in this wedding will be God the Father Himself.

Who is the Bridegroom? The Bridegroom is Jesus Christ.

Who is the Bride? The bride is the church.

Who will be the best man? Most likely John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus! And Ruth will probably be the chief bridesmaid. I imagine that the tribulation saints will be the bridesmaids.

Those of us that make it to Heaven will be so overwhelmed, so happy that we will begin to cry for joy. And when we begin to cry for joy, God will bring out His handkerchief and wipe away all tears from our eyes. Thereafter, the party will begin. This marriage supper will last for 7 years.

What are we going to eat during that party?

·        The fruit of the tree of life,

·        We shall drink water from the River of Life,

·        We shall eat manna, the food of angels,

·        We shall drink the fruit of the vine,

·        We shall eat roast lamb etc.

Now, after the marriage, we will come back with Christ to the earth to end the battle of Armageddon, and reign with Him for 1000 years.

What must the bride do immediately after the marriage? Once you the lady [the bride] get married, the next thing that happens from the altar where you declare I do and both of you are declared one (1 Cor. 6:17) is:

1. To change your name. You that have been answering Ngozi Obumneme suddenly begin to answer Ngozi Jesus. Obumneme will no more appear in your name anymore. There will be nothing like Ngozi Obumneme Jesus. It must be Ngozi Jesus.

1 John 3:1-3 says, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. 2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.”

2. Secondly, there will be a change of accommodation.

Colossians 1:13 says, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”

The very day you get married to Jesus Christ, God the Father will translate you out of your former abode [the kingdom of darkness] into your husband’s abode [the Kingdom of His dear Son, Jesus Christ].

As a single, you used to live with your father, the devil (Jn. 8:44) in darkness, in sorrow, in pain, in lack, in sickness, in failure, in fear etc. But the day you get married to Jesus your accommodation will change.

Now, we are seated together with the Lord Jesus in heavenly places far above principalities and powers etc.

Ephesians 2:6 says, “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 1:21-23 says, “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

22 And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, 23. Which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.”

3. Thirdly, there will be a change of responsibilities: When you are not yet married, you can do whatever you like. If you are still considering marrying a person, and that man tells you to do something for him, you can tell him to get away. But from the very day you get married to him, his words to you become law.

Galatians 3:16 says, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”

Ephesians 5:23 says, “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.”

Genesis 3:16 says, “Unto the woman He said, … thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.”

So, when you say you want to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, you are really asking for:

1.      A change of name,

2.      A change of accommodation, and

3.      A change of responsibilities.

Beloved, when you are married to the right man, not a play boy, all your burdens become his.

Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Why by Christ Jesus? This is because Jesus is the Bridegroom. He is ready to meet to all your needs the moment you surrender to Him.

After the marriage feast, there will be a decoration of the bride.

Ephesians 5:27 says, “That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

Today, you have the great opportunity to change your eternal destiny. You will be in the marriage supper of the Lamb only on two conditions: (1) you MUST be Born Again (Jn. 3:3), and (2) walk in righteousness and holiness (Heb. 12:14). 

So hurry, and make peace with God right now! Get ready before the door is shut (Prov. 27:1).

Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit!

• ·       Your friend: I. I. MADUBUNYI (Head Pastor)                           18^th Feb, 2018