GETTING THE MESSAGE/Christ and his redeemed people

The Scripture compares the love relationship of Christ and his redeemed people to a bridegroom and his bride. In Revelation 19:6-10, we are shown a glimpse into the future when the present world comes to an end and the time of the marriage supper of the Lamb has come.

In verse 6, the redeemed in heaven praise the Lord for the destruction of Babylon and the beginning of the reign of Christ with all opposition having been put under his feet. We are so accustomed to sin and trouble, it is hard to imagine a world without it. But it will be a matter of great rejoicing when that day comes.

Along with the end of Babylon, there is rejoicing and praise to God, “for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure; for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints” (verses 7-8).

The apostle Paul said to Christians, “I have betrothed you to Christ.” The one who comes to Christ begins an engagement that ends with seeing Christ and his glory in person. It is not a day you can be ready for if you don’t look forward to it and prepare for it. 

The fine linen that is given to clothe the believer represents the righteous deeds he did in the name of Christ while he was in the world. They contrast with the fine linen adorned with the riches of the world that the harlot wore in Chapter 18:16. That linen represented one whose treasures were on earth, and whose deeds were not righteous or godly.

The righteous deeds of the saints don’t make up clothes of self-righteousness. They are told to give glory to God (verse 7). Salvation is of God from beginning to end. Christ told his followers, “You can do nothing apart from me.” The blessedness of the coming day is directly opposed to any boasting, except in what Christ has worked in the believer.

The marriage is to the Lamb, meaning to Christ, who sacrificed his life for his people out of love. The righteous deeds of his people are those works, thoughts, praise they rendered to Christ out of thanksgiving and love to him. They represent a transformed life, a life of genuine faith as a servant of the Lord Jesus. The servant of sin is turned into a child of God.

Christians still in the world face many troubles and temptations, so the linen clothes, bright and pure, do not represent a sinless life, but a vindication of the sincerity of their walk with Christ through the world. That walk includes being disciplined and corrected by the Lord for their sin, practicing repentance for things done and left undone. It is a humbling, yet endearing way.

In verse 8, an angel says to John, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Blessedness on that day expresses a state of blessedness that is hard for us to conceive of in our present state. The glory of heaven and the love of Christ tend to make feeble impressions upon our minds here, but that is due to our dullness, not the sublimity of the occasion.

There the depths of the love of God the Father in giving Christ for me, a sinner, and the greatness of the love of Christ in humbling himself to death will be known. There will be nothing lacking in the heavenly manna on that day for my soul. No one goes hungry or thirsty at that feast.

Until we are there, the Lord gives us manna from heaven in the wilderness we live in here. He gives his word and sacrament. In the Lord’s Supper he says, “Take and eat, this is my body given to you.”  It is to say, “Consider that I have loved you and given myself for you.”

It is a very necessary provision that Christ gives because the devil also holds out food for the soul. “Take and eat” are his words too, but to take and eat of the world’s vanity, treasures, and lustful pleasures as food for the soul. He puts chains and locks upon souls in such ways.

But the Lord will continue his mercies to his people. He calls us friends. There is freedom in speaking with a friend; we can tell him our secrets, cares, and desires. His ears are open to those who seek him. He proclaims peace to us. This isn’t only a negative blessing (taking our sin away) but a foretaste of heaven. Conscious enjoyment of the Lord’s love has only just begun here.