Two Suppers, One King

Supper One: The Marriage Supper (Rev 19:7-16)

Revelation 19 symbolically describes one of scripture’s most dramatic portraits of the three appearances of Christ during his Second Coming. After the marriage of Christ to his bride in heaven (Rev 19:7-8), he descends to earth with his new wife (exaltation-worthy saints) during his first appearance of the Second Coming. This will take place at New Jerusalem. In the peaceful and joyful setting of Zion, Christ will celebrate the marriage supper of the Lamb described by John in Revelation 19:9.

The marriage supper will be followed by Christ’s second appearance of the Second Coming when he will come to the mount of Olives in Old Jerusalem and destroy the wicked gentile armies that have overrun the city. John describes this scene symbolically in Revelation 19:14-16, where he sees multiple armies following Christ on white horses and wearing clean, white linen. These armies (plural) represent the redeemed and exaltation-worthy followers of Christ from different periods, including: translated people from the Old Testament era who were later resurrected with Christ; deceased people who rose with Christ in his resurrection; people from all ages who resurrect when the morning of the First Resurrection resumes at the end of the Second Woe (Rev 14:14-16); people still living who are quickened and rise up to meet the Savior in heaven; and the translated Lost Ten Tribes of Israel. In all cases, these armies are the bride of Christ, with whom he will celebrate the Marriage Supper of the Lamb at New Jerusalem immediately before his second appearance of the Second Coming to Old Jerusalem.

Supper Two: The Supper of the Great God (Rev 19:17-18)

During his second appearance of the Second Coming, Christ is symbolically shown with a sharp sword in his mouth, which symbolizes the word of God. By his word, Christ judges the wicked gentile nations and destroys them suddenly. In this scene of carnage, Christ treads the winepress of God’s divine wrath alone. The blood of the wicked symbolically stains Christ’s white raiment so that it becomes red. The armies that accompany Christ do not have a part in the destruction, except as interested observers who see that vengeance is finally theirs. Their pure and white garments remain spotless white through the blood of the Lamb. The name-title, “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,” appears on Christ’s bloodstained clothing and on his thigh so that none can mistake his identity. The thigh is symbolically associated with strength and covenant making. This imagery reinforces the message of his power at the Second Coming and his faithfulness to all his divine promises. The dual title confirms Christ’s complete sovereignty over all nations and people, both politically as a King of kings, and religiously as a Lord of lords.

In the aftermath of Christ’s victory over the gentile armies of Armageddon at Jerusalem, the Second Supper of the Second Coming will occur. In Revelation 19:17-18, John sees Christ standing in the sun and he commands all carnivorous birds to eat “the supper of the great God.” This supper is so-named because Christ is the great God and he sets the gruesome table with the bodies of the dead. This second supper deliberately contrasts with the first supper. The marriage supper of the Lamb is a feast of joy among covenant keepers and a life of promise among all celestial-worthy people. The supper of the great God is a scene of sorrow, judgment and death. Telestial-worthy people who do not qualify to be guests at the marriage supper of the Lamb are the main entrée at the supper of the great God. For more on the two suppers and one king, check out my podcasts from September 6 and 8, 2026.

September 6, 2026 — Podcast

September 8, 2026 — Podcast