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Time Out for
God
Devotional
Ministry
By Danna
Appleby
The Wedding Supper of the Lamb
And he saith to
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. Rev.
19:9
Jesus
was known to speak in parables to get a point across. He would present his
message in such simple, easy to understand terminology that even an
arrogant Pharisee might understand Him. On one particular occasion while
He was at the house of one such prominent Pharisee, He used uncomplicated
words to illustrate the
He
spoke of a certain man who was preparing a large banquet. The man had invited many
guests. When preparations
were ready, the man sent his servant to let his guests know that
everything was ready. When
the servant went to tell them, they all began to make excuses about why
they could not attend.
The
first guest said that he had just bought a field and needed to go and see
it. Another said he had
bought five yoke of oxen and was on his way to try them out. And a third said he could not come
because he had just gotten married.
The
servant returned and reported all of the excuses he had heard to his
master. The owner became
angry and ordered his servant to go out into the streets and lanes of the
city and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the
lame.
Immediately
the servant said to his master, “Sir, what you ordered has been done, but
there is still room.” The
master then told his servant to go out into the highways and the hedges
and compel them to come in, so that his house would be filled. He then told his servant that none
of those who were invited would even get a taste of his supper. [Story
taken from Luke 14:15-24]
The
Pharisees were offended by the story Jesus told because they thought they
had a clear passage into the Kingdom because of their Jewish
heritage. Jesus used this
story to illustrate to them that they must accept Him just like everyone
else.
In so
many words, Jesus was letting them know that they were only “religious”
but still “lost” in their sins.
He wanted them to know that it took more than knowing Scripture and
temple attendance for them to enter into the
This
story brings back many memories of my brother, sister and I outside
playing, along with other neighborhood kids. After my mother prepared a
delicious, mouth watering meal, she would stand at the back door and call
us to come in so we could feast at her table and receive the nourishment
we needed for our bodies. In
the same way, Jesus is calling each of us to accept His invitation and to
come feast at His table.
At one
time, I was given a reproduction of a print of the Wedding Supper of the
Lamb, so beautiful and pristine, complete with the hands of the Father,
welcoming each child of His to that grand place. (See picture above.) As I
gazed into the glorious representation of the royal banquet, I imagined
the white linen tablecloth laden tables stretching as far as the eye can
see. I imagined the place
settings graced with crystal goblets, exquisite fine china, elegant linen
napkins, and silver fit for kings.
Since I love those things, I thought how wonderful it will be. I
will be looking for my name card engraved with my heavenly name.
Usually,
when we’re invited to a dinner, we’re concerned about what we will
wear. But this will be one
time we won’t need to concern ourselves for we will be arrayed in the
finest of linen garments, which represents the righteousness of the
saints.
And to her it was
granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen
is the righteous acts of saints.
Rev. 19:8
Many
will come from every direction to this great
feast:
People will come
from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the
feast in the
Have
you ever gone to a large wedding or funeral and loved ones and friends
seem to come from every direction?
Those you haven’t seen in so long now come and embrace you until
your heart is filled to overflowing as you look into each smiling face.
Your heart seems to swell
with joy as you hug each one.
That is what it will be like for those who accept the invitation to
the supper for we will see our long-awaited loved ones and friends. It will be a great time of love and
fellowship. It will be a
gathering of the redeemed. Oh
hallelujah!
Who
can attend this royal banquet?
The Word tells us: whomsoever will.
And the Spirit
and the bride, say, Come. And
let him that heareth say, Come.
And let him that is athirst come. And whomsoever will, let
him take the water of life freely.
Rev. 22:17
(KJV)
And
the majestic Bridegroom in all of His beauty is Jesus, our Savior, the One
who paid the price at
Many
are shrinking back and giving up, but we must not! We must keep going on this road
we’re traveling. We must
continue moving forward and looking up for the time is drawing near for
the Savior to call us to our eternal Home. Never, ever give up for our
redemption is drawing nigh.
If you
have never received Jesus into your heart, turn to Him. The clock is ticking and time is
of the essence. It is
almost midnight. Accept the
invitation to the Savior’s call tp come to Him.
May
the Bride make herself ready for the time is drawing near for her Lord’s
return. May her gown be found
without spot or wrinkle. (Eph.
5:27)
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. Rev. 19:7
(KJV)
Prayer: Father, today I pray for many to
turn to you. I pray that
before the trumpet sounds to call the saints home, that many will be found
ready to meet their Savior in the air for there is no time to waste. I pray for each one who is not
ready that they will turn their hearts toward Jesus this day. I believe there are many who are
ready and longing for their Lord’s appearing. I pray for those who are
anxiously waiting for your Son’s return, for strength to endure every
hardship that comes their way. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
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