Revelation 19:6-10
6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 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 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.” 10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
Yet, again, we are given a picture of heaven from the book of Revelation and we get to see the parallel that this vision has to our confessional Lutheran worship. The next time you are in God’s Divine Service (no matter where you are, in a Sanctuary or in a home), when the singing takes place (be it a part of the Liturgy or a hymn), close your eyes and listen for just a few seconds. Now you get a sense of the vision to which the Apostle John was given. Multitudes in sound, being glad, rejoicing and giving God the glory.
At this time, the Church (the invisible body of believers worldwide) is the bride of Christ, and His Word and Sacraments are what create and sustain faith; feeding His bride with what keeps her ready; most specifically, a taste of the marriage supper as His bride. At that time, the bride becomes His wife and we will be partaking of that marriage supper for eternity.
Not surprising, it is God’s Word and Sacraments that bring His saints to be arrayed in the righteousness of Christ; declared and imputed upon them through God-created faith in His fully atoning merits. Fine linen indeed!
‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ What an appropriate reading for this Holy (Maundy) Thursday; the day celebrated for Christ’s institution of His Holy Supper. By God’s grace we are not brought worship men, we have been brought to properly worship (that is receive from) the One, true God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And what is this Holy Trinity bringing us to receive? Forgiveness, life and salvation. Blessed are we, indeed!
Let us pray: O Lord, in this wondrous Sacrament You have left us a remembrance of Your passion. Grant that we may so receive the sacred mystery of Your body and blood that the fruits of Your redemption may continually be manifest in us; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever. Amen
