This is a very good and important question.  Let’s begin by reading the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:2, “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”  So, it is the church that has been espoused to one husband…that husband is Christ, Himself.  When the Lord Jesus spoke of the church that He would build, He called it HIS CHURCH to denote that we belong to Him.  In Matthew 16:18, the Lord says, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build MY CHURCH; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”  In Song of Solomon 2:16 the bride speaks of the closeness and intimacy of her relationship with the bridegroom.  She says, “My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies.” 

As the bride of Christ, we naturally long for that day of the marriage supper.  We read in Revelation 19:6-9, “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 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.” 

As we can see from the above portion, this marriage supper will take place in heaven after the Church has been raptured, but before Christ returns to the earth with his bride to establish His earthly kingdom. The marriage supper of the Lamb is based on the imagery of a Jewish wedding feast, where the groom and the bride share a joyful and intimate meal with their guests.

The representation of Christ as a Lamb at His marriage feast speaks to us of a wonderful truth.  In this context, He presents Himself as the sacrificial lamb who gave his life for the redemption of His Church, His bride.  Ephesians 5:25-27 says, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also LOVED THE CHURCH, AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”  What a wonderful day that will be!  We read of the joyful response of the bride on that day in Isaiah 61:10 which says, “I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”

Who are the guests at this marriage feast?  Who are the invited ones whose presence is desired?  Certainly, a bridegroom would invite only his friends to his wedding…those with whom he is close to and is wanted in such an honorable occasion.  Let’s consider the words of the John the Baptist in John 3:29, “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.”  Since the church began in Acts, chapter two, and John was beheaded even before Christ was crucified, we realize that John IS NOT a part of the church.  He would be characterized as an Old Testament prophet.  He called himself a “friend of the bridegroom.” The Lord Jesus said of John in Luke 7:28, “For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”  The church age will cease at the rapture of the church.  During the Tribulation Period, there will be people saved and many will be martyred for their faith.  However, they will not be part of the church.  These (the martyred saints and the Old Testament saints) are the ones who will be invited to the marriage feast to rejoice in the Lord’s union with His bride.

Let me ask you, dear reader, are you part of the bride of Christ?  Are you in the church which Christ Himself built?  Consider these words.  “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And THE LORD ADDED TO THE CHURCH DAILY THOSE WHO WERE BEING SAVED.” (Acts 2:46-47) (NKJV).  There is only one way to get into the church.  You cannot join.  You must be added by the Lord.  Those who are saved by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior, are added to the church and become part of the bride of Christ.  Do you know Christ as your savior?  Have you repented of your sins and accepted Him as your Lord and savior.  I implore you to do so today if you have not.  Tomorrow may be too late. (CC)  (600.6)