The Great Tribulation and Wrath of God Division Found in Revelation 14 - Part 5 of 8
One more passage in Revelation I want to look at before ending this section on the Great Tribulation period as different from the wrath of God is Revelation 14:13-16.
Revelation 14: 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
In verse 13 we see that the saints are still being killed by the Antichrist when the vision goes to one like the Son of man coming to reap his harvest. Jesus, when responding to the questioning of the high priest, called himself the Son of man. In Mark 14:61-62 we read,
Mark 14: 61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Let us look back to Daniel 7:13-14 to see who the Son of man was considered by the Old Testament Jews.
Daniel 7: 13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Traditionally, the Jews believed these verses to be speaking of the coming Jewish Messiah. The Ancient of Days, God the Father, would give to the Son of man, or in other words, to the Messiah, the kingdom to rule. The reference in Revelation 14:14 seems to be referring to Jesus coming to receive his harvest.
In Mathew 9:35-38 we see that Jesus considered that the lost sheep were the harvest that needed to be harvested.
Matthew 9: 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
We can conclude then that Revelation 14:14-16 is again another image of the rapture/resurrection event at he end of the great tribulation period and yet before the wrath of God that is to follow. Revelation 14:17-20 confirms such a view and the imagery is of the wrath of God.
Revelation 14: 17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
We see section 14:17-20 is qualified as the wrath of God. In section 14:14-16 the Son of man was harvesting, which we have concluded was imagery of the rapture/resurrection event like in Matthew 24: 29-31 and Mark 13.
One more passage in Revelation I want to look at before ending this section on the Great Tribulation period as different from the wrath of God is Revelation 14:13-16.
Revelation 14: 13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. 14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.
In verse 13 we see that the saints are still being killed by the Antichrist when the vision goes to one like the Son of man coming to reap his harvest. Jesus, when responding to the questioning of the high priest, called himself the Son of man. In Mark 14:61-62 we read,
Mark 14: 61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Let us look back to Daniel 7:13-14 to see who the Son of man was considered by the Old Testament Jews.
Daniel 7: 13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. 14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Traditionally, the Jews believed these verses to be speaking of the coming Jewish Messiah. The Ancient of Days, God the Father, would give to the Son of man, or in other words, to the Messiah, the kingdom to rule. The reference in Revelation 14:14 seems to be referring to Jesus coming to receive his harvest.
In Mathew 9:35-38 we see that Jesus considered that the lost sheep were the harvest that needed to be harvested.
Matthew 9: 35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
We can conclude then that Revelation 14:14-16 is again another image of the rapture/resurrection event at he end of the great tribulation period and yet before the wrath of God that is to follow. Revelation 14:17-20 confirms such a view and the imagery is of the wrath of God.
Revelation 14: 17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
We see section 14:17-20 is qualified as the wrath of God. In section 14:14-16 the Son of man was harvesting, which we have concluded was imagery of the rapture/resurrection event like in Matthew 24: 29-31 and Mark 13.
Mark 13: 26-27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of the heaven.
Do We Find a Rapture/Resurrection Event in Daniel Prophecies?
Now I would like to look at one other passage in Daniel alluding to the rapture/resurrection event. It’s Daniel 12:1-3.
Daniel 12 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
First, we see similar wording in Daniel 12 to Jesus’s comments on the Great Tribulation period in Matthew 24. “There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time,” sounds very similar to “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, nor ever shall be.” They are obviously talking of the same event.
Daniel also sees the rapture/resurrection event in the words, “Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” So again we have the time of trouble followed by the rapture/resurrection event afterwards. Later on in Daniel 12:7 we see the angels are talking about the same 3 and ½ year period.
Daniel 12: 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half (3 and ½ years); and when he (the Antichrist) shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
We see in the above verse that the Antichrist will tribulate God’s people for that 3 and ½ year period just as is mentioned in the other chapters in Daniel and in Revelation. Jesus will come back to rescue His children immediately after the tribulation period as we have seen in Matthew 24:29-31. In Revelation 8-10 we have seen that the destruction occurring during the Great Tribulation will bring a 1/3 or partial destruction to the earth. We have seen that the seven trumpets of tribulation are sounded out before the wrath of God occurs. The trumpets of tribulation are chronologically before the vials of the wrath of God.
What Happens to the Saints That Are Raptured/Resurrected?
The vials are found in Revelation 16 and Revelation 19:11-21 and include the famous Battle of Armageddon. The wrath of God is also mentioned in Revelation 11:18 as occurring after the seventh trump which we have shown to be the rapture/resurrection event. Jesus rescues the true believers and they are caught up to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is alluded to in the first verses in Revelation 19. While the wrath of God has begun on earth, we are given a picture of what is happening in the spiritual plane in Heaven.
Revelation 19: 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
We see the resurrected saints are rejoicing with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Jesus alluded to this heavenly marriage supper in some of his parables. In Matthew 25: 1-13 we read,
Matthew 25 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Do We Find a Rapture/Resurrection Event in Daniel Prophecies?
Now I would like to look at one other passage in Daniel alluding to the rapture/resurrection event. It’s Daniel 12:1-3.
Daniel 12 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
First, we see similar wording in Daniel 12 to Jesus’s comments on the Great Tribulation period in Matthew 24. “There shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time,” sounds very similar to “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, nor ever shall be.” They are obviously talking of the same event.
Daniel also sees the rapture/resurrection event in the words, “Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” So again we have the time of trouble followed by the rapture/resurrection event afterwards. Later on in Daniel 12:7 we see the angels are talking about the same 3 and ½ year period.
Daniel 12: 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half (3 and ½ years); and when he (the Antichrist) shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
We see in the above verse that the Antichrist will tribulate God’s people for that 3 and ½ year period just as is mentioned in the other chapters in Daniel and in Revelation. Jesus will come back to rescue His children immediately after the tribulation period as we have seen in Matthew 24:29-31. In Revelation 8-10 we have seen that the destruction occurring during the Great Tribulation will bring a 1/3 or partial destruction to the earth. We have seen that the seven trumpets of tribulation are sounded out before the wrath of God occurs. The trumpets of tribulation are chronologically before the vials of the wrath of God.
What Happens to the Saints That Are Raptured/Resurrected?
The vials are found in Revelation 16 and Revelation 19:11-21 and include the famous Battle of Armageddon. The wrath of God is also mentioned in Revelation 11:18 as occurring after the seventh trump which we have shown to be the rapture/resurrection event. Jesus rescues the true believers and they are caught up to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb is alluded to in the first verses in Revelation 19. While the wrath of God has begun on earth, we are given a picture of what is happening in the spiritual plane in Heaven.
Revelation 19: 7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
We see the resurrected saints are rejoicing with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Jesus alluded to this heavenly marriage supper in some of his parables. In Matthew 25: 1-13 we read,
Matthew 25 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
Matthew 25: 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
The first coincidence is that following the Matthew 24 endtime raptute/resurrection event we find Matthew 25 is where Jesus talks about the Marriage Supper and the brides waiting to get in. The various brides could be alluding to different groups of believers. In Jesus’s parable only some of the brides got in to the marriage feast. They were those who had prepared themselves and had truly loved their Lord and husband.
Jesus, also, alluded to Himself as being the bidegroom.
Mark 2: 18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? 19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
John the Baptist also bore witness that Jesus was the bridegroom.
John 3: 26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John the Baptist calls Jesus the bridegroom and himself the friend of the bridegroom.
Jesus gave another parable of having on the right wedding garment.
Matthew 22 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
The first coincidence is that following the Matthew 24 endtime raptute/resurrection event we find Matthew 25 is where Jesus talks about the Marriage Supper and the brides waiting to get in. The various brides could be alluding to different groups of believers. In Jesus’s parable only some of the brides got in to the marriage feast. They were those who had prepared themselves and had truly loved their Lord and husband.
Jesus, also, alluded to Himself as being the bidegroom.
Mark 2: 18 And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? 19 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.20 But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.
John the Baptist also bore witness that Jesus was the bridegroom.
John 3: 26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
John the Baptist calls Jesus the bridegroom and himself the friend of the bridegroom.
Jesus gave another parable of having on the right wedding garment.
Matthew 22 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
Matthew 22: 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
The garment represents our righteousness. We cannot get into the marriage supper on our own righteousness. We must take on the righteousness of Christ. We put on Christ’s righteousness when we come to Him in humble submission and obedience seeking forgiveness for our sins. We then walk with Him in newness of life by loving and living for Him and others. The fine linen that the saints are wearing is symbolic of their having taken Jesus as their Lord and King and Saviour, and committed to living and serving Him. Thus, they are covered with His righteouness. They are no longer relying on their own righteousness to get into the Marriage Supper.
Cannot Our Own Righteousness Save Us?
Our own righteousness is stinking menstrual rags, says Isaiah 64:6.
Isaiah 64: 6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Apostle Paul tells us our faith in Christ is counted for righteosness.
Romans 4: 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Paul writes that we obtain rigtheousness through faith in Christ.
Romans 9: 30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
In Jesus’s parable, a person without a marraige garment had tried to get into the marriage supper. He was relying on his own righteousness to save him. But our own righteousness is not good enough, no matter how hard we try or convince ourselves that it is. Like Jesus said,
John 14: 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
If we believe upon Jesus we will not be ashamed. We will not be put out of the marriage feast. In Apostle Peter’s discourse to the scribes and pharisees we find the same statement of fact.
Acts 4: 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
A person who has not received and loved Christ will not be allowed into the marriage supper of the Lamb. Many are still trying to get into heaven through their own righteousness. But, as the Psalmist David sung, “there are none righteousness, no not one.”
Psalm 14:2 The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
If we are honest with ourselves, we know that our own righteousness falls short each and every day, many times a day. If we relied on our own righteousness to save us, none would be saved
In Malachi we read,
Malachi 4: 2a But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.
Jesus is that Sun or righteousness and unto Him must we come.
Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Jesus is the righteous branch that God has raised up and in whom we can trust.
Apostle John tells us,
John 1: 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
It is in the believing, and the receiving, the drinking in of the essence of Christ into our very being by loving and obeying Him that we are transformed into sons of God. Then we are robed with the righteousness that is in Christ. “Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to Thy cross I cling.” “I am washed in the blood of the Lamb.”
Are There Any Other References to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?
Apostle Paul tells us about the judgment seat of Christ, which may be simultaneous with the marriage supper.
2 Corinthians 5: 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Daniel 12:2-3 sounds similar to Paul’s vision.
Daniel 12: 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Some may receive greater rewards than others as Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 3:14-15.
1 Corinthians 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
We, therefore, speculate that the Marriage Supper of the Lamb may be where we receive our rewards for our obedience to the Lord or our lack of obedience and therefore lack of rewards. However, some will shine like the stars for ever.
In Malachi we read,
Malachi 4: 2a But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings.
Jesus is that Sun or righteousness and unto Him must we come.
Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Jesus is the righteous branch that God has raised up and in whom we can trust.
Apostle John tells us,
John 1: 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
It is in the believing, and the receiving, the drinking in of the essence of Christ into our very being by loving and obeying Him that we are transformed into sons of God. Then we are robed with the righteousness that is in Christ. “Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to Thy cross I cling.” “I am washed in the blood of the Lamb.”
Are There Any Other References to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb?
Apostle Paul tells us about the judgment seat of Christ, which may be simultaneous with the marriage supper.
2 Corinthians 5: 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Daniel 12:2-3 sounds similar to Paul’s vision.
Daniel 12: 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Some may receive greater rewards than others as Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 3:14-15.
1 Corinthians 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
We, therefore, speculate that the Marriage Supper of the Lamb may be where we receive our rewards for our obedience to the Lord or our lack of obedience and therefore lack of rewards. However, some will shine like the stars for ever.
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