Are you going to the royal marriage supper ?

I must admit that I sat through the wedding ceremony of William and Kate from the walk down the aisle to the last kiss and as I write this, the party is still in progress. Unfortunately I was not on the invitation list to the ceremony, or more importantly, to the post wedding party.

However I rejoice that there is a greater marriage supper that is not to be missed.

This is best understood when we look at the marriage culture of Jesus' day. There were 3 stages of marriage. The first was when the parents would arrange the marriage for their respective children; the brides parents would pay a dowry to the groom or his parents. This was called the betrothal period, it corresponded to Matthew 1:18 where Mary was betrothed to Joseph. The second stage occurred about a year later. The groom would have been at his parents home preparing a place for he and his future bride. He would come with his friends at midnight and take his bride. We see this enacted in Matthew 25: 1-13 in the parable about the wise and foolish virgins. This brings us to the last stage, the marriage supper, where all the invited guest celebrate together at a supper that would last sometimes for a week. (John 2:1-2)

These same three stages apply to believers today. We, who have placed our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, are betrothed to him. The dowry that was paid was Jesus shed blood on the cross which purchased us. We now await the second stage, his second coming when he will take us to the place he has been preparing for us in heaven. This ushers in the third stage will be the old testament saints, the believers and tribulation saints. We will sit down at the royal marriage feast of the lamb as revealed in Revelation 19: 7-9.

You may have missed out on Will and Kate's wedding but here is one that you can be assured of. Verse 9 says "blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb." The Fathers invitation is to you today. Will you respond to the invitation by repenting of your sin and placing your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, thus assuring you a seat at the table?

Roy Barrett
Peninsula Vineyard Church