A Happy Command by Uriah Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 30, 1902

A Happy Command

By Uriah Smith

“And he saith unto 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. After all that John had seen and heard, it would be natural for him to feel the need of the assurance of the last clause of the verse: “These are the true sayings of God.” But why should John need a command to write these things? Was he not as interested as any one could be that all should believe these things?—Certainly he was; and for this very reason he would be prompted to write, that as many as possible might be made acquainted with the call. The blessing extends thus far, at least, unconditionally. “Blessed are they which are called.” How many are called?—“Many.” This includes every intelligent being. But few are “chosen.” How many?—As many as choose to heed the call. Here is where our co-operation with the Lord comes in. The prophet says of Christ: “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied.” Isa. 53:11.

There is a hymn in the popular collection called “Christ in Song,” based on the words of the psalmist, “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Ps. 17:15. “When the saints awake in his own likeness, I shall be satisfied then.” So it seems from the words of the prophet that the Lord himself will then be satisfied; for then is the time when he will receive, or bring unto himself, the travail of his soul, the redeemed host.

The fact that men shall thus be called to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb might seem too good to be true were it not certified to by the specific instruction of the angel to John: “Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” The statements leading up to this instruction open to view some of the sublimest heavenly scenes (verses 4-7): (1) the four and twenty elders and the four living creatures fall down and worship God, that sat on the throne, saying, Amen, Alleluia; (2) a voice comes out of the throne as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters; and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him; for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his “wife hath made herself ready.” The saints are all there, and are all arrayed in the wedding garments. Matt. 22:11-14; Rev. 3:18.

Following the historical order, we see that after the false harlot church, that which led true believers after the great tribulation to exclaim, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Rev. 6:10), comes under judgment (see the whole of chapter 18), then the true church of Christ is acknowledged and honored in the august marriage festival here introduced.

The Bridegroom is the first party that is entitled to recognition. The title he receives is that of “The Lamb.” This is John’s special name for his Lord. Previous to this time John the Baptist had exclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. John continually applies this title to him in the book of Revelation. He appears as “a Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Rev. 13:8. In this character he most fully displays his love to his church, and hence it is in this form that he appears when his great love triumphs over all forms of opposition, and the festal day of his coronation comes. Ps. 2:6. As a victim for sin he rejoices to display himself to the last to the universe.

The marriage of the Lamb will witness the perfection and completion of the church. “His wife hath made herself ready.” Here is the overflowing of mutual delight and joy. Rev. 3:21. Do we have any desire to contribute to the satisfaction of our Lord? Then let us hasten to spread abroad to earth’s remotest bounds this call to the marriage supper; for when his people shall awake, with his likeness, he, too, will be satisfied. This marriage supper will constitute the greatest display of royal munificence that the universe has ever beheld. For “as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Cor. 2:9.

“Blessed are they which are called.” We have that blessedness, even now. It is to be realized fully when we have so accepted it as to show that we are entitled to a seat at that banquet. Then will be fulfilled the promise that Christ made to his disciples: “Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new, in the kingdom of God.” Mark 14:25.

Charles Bradley says: “We shall have a provision made for us which befits not our rank and condition, but the rank and condition, the greatness and magnificence, of a glorious God.” In another place he says: “We dare not say that our Lord will love us more than he loves us now; but he will indulge his love for us more. We shall see more of it. We shall understand it better; it will appear to us as though he loved us more. He will lay open his whole heart and soul to us, with all its feelings and secrets and purposes, and allow us to know them, as far, at least, as we can understand them, and as it will conduce to our happiness to know them. The love of this hour will be the perfection of love. This marriage feast will be the feast, the triumph, of love, the exalted Saviour showing to the whole universe that he loves us to the utmost bound love can go, and we loving him with a fervor, a gratitude and adoration and delight, that are new even in heaven.”

U. S.