Series: The Radical Call of Jesus
Message: Radical Solutions
Preacher: Japhet De Oliveira
Daily Walk: Japhet De Oliveira

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 106:6-12.

Read: Revelation 19:1–20:15 (Message). Note 1–3 insights or questions that arise from the paraphrase. 

Reflect: Ranko Stefanovic in Plain Revelation, reminds us that the marriage metaphor is very important in understanding these two chapters. It is far removed from the common wedding practice today. 

This scene reflects the ancient Jewish wedding practice. The prospective groom would go to the house of the bride-to-be’s father for the betrothal. After the groom paid the dowry, the groom and the bride were considered legally married, although they could not yet live together. The groom would then return to his father’s house to prepare the place where he and his bride would live. The bride stayed at her father’s house to prepare herself for the wedding. When the preparations were complete, the groom would come back to the bride’s father’s house, and the wedding feast would take place. Afterward, he would take his bride to the place he had prepared, where they would live together.

In a similar manner, Christ left His Father’s house in heaven to come to the earth to betroth His bride—the church. After paying the dowry with His life at Calvary, He returned to His Father’s house to prepare a place for His bride. He promised to come back and take His bride to Himself (John 14:2–3). His bride remained on the earth, preparing herself. At the end of history, Christ will come back, and the long-awaited wedding will take place. He will finally be united with His bride, the church, and He will take her to His Father’s house. Revelation 19:7–9 points to this joyous event.

Revelation uses the metaphor of the bride to describe God’s people during the interval between the two comings of Christ. During this period, His people prepare themselves for that long-awaited event. (pp. 222-223)

At this point, we are given a wedding announcement, but not the actual wedding. John wants to contrast this supper with the gory supper at the end of the chapter—when birds eat the remains of everything dead. It is not a children's bedtime story; it is more along the lines of Hitchcock’s terrifying 1963 movie The Birds. John is referencing Deuteronomy 28:26 and Ezekiel 39:17-21. In the middle of these two suppers—wedding vs The Birds—is powerful description of Jesus that we will explore tomorrow. 

Recalibrate: ​​​How does the marriage metaphor help you understand your role today?

Respond: Pray the spirit of repentance in your life today.

Research: Is the battle of Armageddon literal or spiritual?