The Great Banquet

“And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’”—Revelation 19:9

Today is Thanksgiving. Family and friends come together in a spirit of love and gratitude to recall and celebrate the blessings of the past year. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect, remember, and rejoice over what God has done in each of our lives. The Thanksgiving meal allows us to peek through the door of eternity into the Great Banquet at the end of time. Where all of the saints of God, who have been called through the gospel of grace, gather together in the great banquet hall of heaven for the greatest time of thanksgiving and celebration the universe has ever known. God Himself will be the host and we will continually praise Him in everlasting joy for who He is and what He has done. We will marvel at the mystery surrounding the incarnation, stand in awe of the crucifixion, and rise in jubilation at the resurrection! We will rejoice with shouting as we celebrate the consummation of the ages! He reigns! Forever and ever He reigns!

As we sit at the table of the marriage supper of the Lamb, dressed in white, we will marvel at the stories of history lived—tales of courage, faith, and perseverance, men and women giving up their lives for something greater than themselves. The great saints of Bible times, sitting side by side with us, will offer first hand accounts of faith and fortitude, familiar from scripture, but brought alive by the living author in our presence. And amazing still will be the biblical authors sense of awe of our own tales of bravery, daring, and accomplishment, with both their stories and ours overflowing in praise to the One who orchestrated it all. Loved one’s of long ago will be there, as will countless individuals not yet known, those who have yet to be touched by God through our own acts of obedience.

While we might have a peek through the door of eternity, we are reminded that we still live in our time; holding in our hearts and souls the opportunity to announce God’s salvation to saints yet to be discovered. The invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb still stands for “whosoever will.” So this Thanksgiving, take the time to speak and share who Jesus is and what He has done on man’s behalf. Who knows whether the ones to whom you speak will accept the invitation? Just know and trust that God desires that we trust and obey. And God will do more than we could ever ask or imagine. Amen.