January 14: IN MY FATHER’S KINGDOM

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.” Revelation 19:9

The angel speaking to John commands him to write! Now would be a good time to highlight the fact that the words, “Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!” are the fourth of seven beatitudes in the book of Revelation. The previous three are:

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. 1:3

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. 14:13

Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame. 16:15

And the last three are:

Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. 20:6

Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. 22:7

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 22:14

As we look forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb, let us remember that Jesus Himself was looking forward to it. At the last supper, He said: “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” (Matthew 26:29) This is a promise! We are reminded of the certainty of His promises to those who believe Him, for “These are the true sayings of God.”

Jesus, the Master Teacher, is teaching us to look beyond our suffering in this world. We cannot fathom the unimaginable suffering He was about to endure, yet He voluntarily entered into it even as He looked beyond it for the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2).

“And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 7:11

“Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!” Luke 14:15 (For greater perspective, read vv.13-24)