Ellen White on the Marriage Supper of the Lamb

The marriage supper of the Lamb is the glorious fulfillment and heavenly celebration that the earthly Communion service points towardAH 503.2+2. While the Lord's Supper is a memorial of Christ's death until He comes, it serves as a preparation for the redeemed to eventually sit down at the great marriage supper in the Father's houseAH 503.2+2.

The Earthly Memorial and the Heavenly Fulfillment

The Communion service and the marriage supper are deeply connected, as the earthly ordinance keeps the promise of the heavenly reunion fresh in the mindDA 149.2+1.

• A Symbol of the Future: The joy of the wedding festivities during Christ's earthly ministry pointed forward to the day He will bring His bride home to the Father’s house to sit down at the marriage supperAH 503.2+1.

• The Promise of Reunion: At the last supper, Jesus gave the cup as a symbol of His work and comforted His disciples with the promise that He would drink it new with them in His Father’s kingdom Matthew 26:29DA 149.2.

• The Goal of Communion: Heaven's communion actually begins on earth through these sacred ordinances, where believers learn the "keynote" of heavenly praiseEd 168.4.

Preparing for the Marriage Supper

The requirements for partaking in the Communion service and the final marriage supper are identical, centered on the character of the believer8LtMs, Lt 38, 1893, par. 14+1.

• The Wedding Garment: To enter the marriage supper, one must wear the wedding garment, which represents the righteousness of Christ and a character transformed by His grace Revelation 19:7-8PH002 24.1+2.

• Character Development: Earthly entertainments and selfish pleasures act as "banquets" designed by Satan to keep souls from accepting the invitation to the marriage supper and receiving the necessary white robe of characterAH 518.1+2.

• The Ordinance of Humility: The service of feet washing is the appointed preparation for Communion, designed to wash away pride and alienation so that the soul is ready for fellowship with Christ18LtMs, Ms 106, 1903, par. 23+2.

The Invitation to All

Christ is currently sending out the last call to the gospel feast to every soul7T 54.2+2.

• The Final Call: God's messengers are to proclaim the third angel's message in every city, giving everyone the final invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb7T 54.2+1.

• A Personal Choice: Many make excuses based on worldly business or social ties, but those who accept the invitation must be willing to deny self and follow Christ daily Luke 9:23RH March 3, 1896, par. 8+2.

• The Reward of the Saved: Those who are ready will be robed in pure white linen, and Christ will lead them by living waters in a life that runs parallel with the life of God Revelation 19:9RH January 2, 1913, par. 12.

Zephaniah 1:7

7 Hold your peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD has prepared a sacrifice, he has bid his guests.

Yes, the devastating judgments at the second advent, where the wicked are consumed, are presented as the "sacrifice" prepared by the Lord for which He has bidden His guests Zephaniah 1:7-8PK 389.1+1. This solemn event represents the final visitation of God's wrath upon an impenitent world that has rejected His mercy and law13LtMs, Ms 39, 1898, par. 22+2.

The Great Day of the Lord as a Sacrifice

The prophet Zephaniah specifies that in the day of the Lord's sacrifice, He will punish those who are settled in their sins and those who have filled their houses with violence and deceit Zephaniah 1:8-921LtMs, Ms 41, 1906, par. 3.

• A Terrible Consummation: The great day of the Lord is described as a day of wrath, desolation, and thick darkness, where the blood of the wicked shall be poured out as dust Zephaniah 1:14-17RH July 15, 1915, par. 6+1.

• Destruction of the Ungodly: In this day of the Lord’s sacrifice, He will utterly consume all things from off the land, including man and beast, and the fowls of the heaven Zephaniah 1:2-33TT 331.3.

• The Fire of Jealousy: Because men have sinned against the Lord, the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of His jealousy, making a speedy riddance of all who dwell in the land Zephaniah 1:1810MR 134.4.

Birds of Prey and the Fate of the Wicked

The imagery of birds of prey is used to warn believers to protect their own spiritual offerings and to illustrate the fate of those who remain in darkness1BC 1093.3+1.

• Guarding the Sacrifice: Just as Abraham watched to prevent birds of prey from alighting upon his sacrifice to God, we must watch faithfully so that thoughts of doubt and the powers of darkness do not destroy our spiritual lives1BC 1093.3+1.

• Desolation of the Wicked: Those who have had great light but rejected the message are left in darkness, and like the ruins of Nineveh, their dwellings become a place for the cormorant, the bittern, and the raven Zephaniah 2:14SS 192.5+1.

• No Deliverance: In that day of sacrifice, neither silver nor gold will be able to deliver the wicked from the wrath of the Lamb Revelation 6:15-17GC 310.1+1.

The Invitation to a Different Feast

While the unrepentant are part of a "sacrifice" of judgment, God is currently extending a very different invitation to the marriage supper of the Lamb1SAT 5.4+1.

• A Contrast of Banquets: Satan prepares "banquets" of worldly pleasure to keep souls from accepting the call to the marriage supper, leading them instead toward the day of slaughterAH 518.1+2.

• The Gracious Call: God's messengers are to have travail of soul even for those in high places, extending to them the gracious invitation to the marriage feast before the door is shutCS 186.2+2.

• Preparation Required: Those who wish to be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger must seek meekness and righteousness now, washing their robes in the blood of the Lamb Zephaniah 2:3PK 389.1+1.

Isaiah 25:6

6 And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make to all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.

The feast of fat things described in Isaiah 25:6 refers to the rich spiritual provision of the word of God and divine truth available to the soul during the time of probation and at the final marriage supper of the LambST July 31, 1893, par. 7+2. This prophetic promise points both to the deep spiritual nourishment found in searching the Scriptures now and to the glorious banquet provided for the redeemed in the kingdom of God after the second coming of ChristST July 31, 1893, par. 7+2.

Spiritual Provision in the Present Time

The Lord invites us even now to partake of a spiritual banquet that satisfies the soul's hungerRH September 24, 1895, par. 2.

• The Pure Word of God: By a persevering search of the Bible, the student will find a "feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined"ST July 31, 1893, par. 7.

• Nourishment for the Soul: This feast is found in the pure, unadulterated word of God, which brings joy and rejoicing to the heartST July 31, 1893, par. 7.

• An Invitation to All: God has sent out the message to a world rushing after selfish indulgence, intended to awaken them to eternal realities so they may give heed to the invitation to the Lord's tableCOL 227.1.

The Heavenly Marriage Supper

The ultimate fulfillment of this festive imagery is found in the marriage supper of the Lamb, which takes place after the second adventHLv 94.3+2.

• A Celebration of Victory: When the marriage of the Lamb is come, the voice of a great multitude will be heard in heaven rejoicing because the Lord God omnipotent reigneth and His wife hath made herself ready Revelation 19:6-7DA 150.3+1.

• The King Serves the Guests: Jesus Himself will gird Himself and serve the faithful who have come out of great tribulation when they enter the city of God to partake of the feast He has prepared16MR 63.3+1.

• Deliverance from Death: In this mountain, the Lord will destroy the veil spread over all nations and swallow up death in victory, wiping away tears from all faces Isaiah 25:6-817LtMs, Lt 115, 1902, par. 32+1.

Preparation for the Feast

To sit at this table and enjoy the provisions furnished by Christ, a specific preparation is required during this lifeYI October 28, 1897, par. 1+1.

• The Wedding Garment: Every guest accepted for the marriage supper must be arrayed in the spotless robe of Christ's righteousness2MCP 660.2+2.

• Rejecting Worldly Excuses: Many refuse the invitation to the gospel feast because they are absorbed in farms, merchandise, or worldly interests, failing to realize the door of probation will soon close1SAT 5.3+2.

• The Communion Service: The Lord's Supper was instituted to keep this hope of the second coming and the future kingdom vivid in the minds of the disciples until He returnsCCh 298.3+2.

• Spiritual Discernment: Those who are found at the second advent with only "citizen's garments"—their own self-righteousness—will be found unfit for the companionship of heaven and the marriage feast15MR 81.3+1.