Marriage Supper of the Lamb

From The Encyclopedia of Mormonism

See this page in the original 1992 publication.

Author: Madsen, John M.

According to ancient and modern scripture, Jesus Christ, the bridegroom (Matt. 25:1-13), will host a "marriage supper" at his second coming when he symbolically claims his bride, the faithful members of his Church (Rev. 19:5-9; D&C 109:73-74).

In Jesus' parable of the marriage of the king's son (Matt. 22:1-14), "the king" represents God, and "his son" is Jesus. The guests first "bidden to the wedding," are the house of Israel. Guests invited later from "the highways" are the gentiles to whom the gospel went after most Jews rejected it in the meridian of time (JC, pp. 536-40).

Latter-day Saints believe that by teaching and exemplifying the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world they are extending to all mankind the invitation to come to the marriage feast. "For this cause I have sent you…that the earth may know that…all nations shall be invited. First, the rich and the learned, the wise and the noble; …then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord" (D&C 58:6-11).

After partaking of the Sacrament with his apostles, Jesus said, "I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom" (Matt. 26:29). In latter days, the Lord declared, "The hour cometh that I will drink of the fruit of the vine with you" (D&C 27:5-12). "There is to be a day when…those who have kept the faith will be…admitted to the marriage feast; …they will partake of the fruit of the vine," or the sacramental emblems of Christ's atoning sacrifice, and reign with him on the earth (TPJS, p. 66). [See also Last Days; Millennium.]

[edit] Bibliography

McConkie, Bruce R. The Millennial Messiah, pp. 346-47. Salt Lake City, 1982.

JOHN M. MADSEN

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