January 25: THE LESSON OF TWO SUPPERS
Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God.” Revelation 19:17
Chapter 19 presents a vivid contrast between the marriage supper of the Lamb (v.9) that will take place in heaven, and another supper that will happen on earth. The Savior’s rescue of His bride is the hinge event that leads to both suppers. The supper that is mentioned second draws its imagery from Ezekiel’s vision (in Ezekiel 39) of the judgment of God against pagan nations. They considered themselves favored for victory due to their sheer numbers as compared to tiny Israel. This vision foreshadowed end times and included a warning for wayward Israel, God’s own avowed followers who were apostates (v.23). For the benefit of all mankind, our God fully intends to be hallowed [by His remnant people] in the sight of many nations (v.27).
John saw an angel standing in the sun, signifying that a true servant of God is enabled to stand, even in the sun’s flames (see Isaiah 33:14-15, Daniel 3:19-26). When The Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2) comes, the brightness of His glory will have a destructive effect (2 Thessalonians 2:8) on the lawless one. Beloved, abiding by Heavenly law now is abiding in God’s love!
The angel . . . cried with a loud voice, the loud voice being a sign that everyone needs to hear—NOW—and understand that this verse is not for all the birds. It is for us to make a distinction between life and death. Every person who ignores the words of The Word of God (v.13) is deliberately separating himself from the Source of Life. A recent loud voice tells us that “Babylon …has become a cage for every unclean and hated bird!” (18:2). One of the most common errors among professed believers in the last days is that they eat recklessly and teach others to do the same. The choice wording of today’s verse is saying plainly that those who decline to dine at the marriage supper of the Lamb choose to become fare for scavengers.
Have you ever been blessed without knowing or appreciating the blessing? We all have. Learning to be tuned in to the blessings of the Source of Life makes all the difference as to which of the two suppers of Revelation 19 one attends. Let us review the angel’s command to John: “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb! . . . These are the true sayings of God’” (v.9). Well, isn’t everyone called? Yes! Are not all blessed? Yes! God’s word says many times and in many ways that the call to come to Him is for everyone. The Lord … is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish… (2 Peter 3:9). So what gives? Read on: … but that all should come to repentance.
Beloved, it is up to you to lay every remnant of your carnal life before Him for scrutiny. He will not allow any detail to escape, but rather will bring you back to a particular point repeatedly until you learn the lesson. He is very patient, but take care that you do not ignore the blessing of His reminder or you will reach a point where you are no longer able to hear it. Carelessness in any area of life is an insult to the Holy Spirit. Come to repentance!
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31