Invited to Feast
God invites us to celebrate with Him, to feast with Him. From Ancient times, He prepares a place for us to gather and celebrate Him and what He’s done for us. We are told to remember Him and look forward to His promises by doing this until we gather in the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. Looking back and forward helps us to celebrate the present.
The First Fruits, Marriage Feast, & The Lord’s Table
1 Corinthians 15:20-24 ESV But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
Celebrating God’s goodness and provision
What is the Feast of Weeks also called the First Fruits, and what does it celebrate?
Deuteronomy 16:9-12 ESV “You shall count seven weeks. Begin to count the seven weeks from the time the sickle is first put to the standing grain. 10 Then you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God with the tribute of a freewill offering from your hand, which you shall give as the LORD your God blesses you. 11 And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your towns, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are among you, at the place that the LORD your God will choose, to make his name dwell there. 12 You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt; and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.
God’s good gifts for all
How is the prophecy of Joel linked to the Feast of Weeks? What similarities are there between Deuteronomy 16:9-12 and Joel 2:26-32?
Joel 2:26-32 ESV “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. 27 You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame. 28 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29 Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
Serving God and each other with His good gifts
On the day of Pentecost seven weeks after Jesus was raised from the dead, Joel’s prophecy was partially fulfilled. How is God’s gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church similar to His gift of providence to the nation of Israel which they celebrated on that day?
Acts 2:16-18 ESV But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
The Marriage Feast of the Lamb
Joel also prophesied about a time when God will be in the midst of Israel and a time when they will never again be put to shame. This hasn’t happened yet, but we’re waiting for it when Jesus returns to earth to establish His Kingdom from Jerusalem. What happens before this in the book of Revelation?
Revelation 19:6-10 ESV Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
The Final Victory and fulfilment of God’s Promises
After the Church celebrates the marriage feast of the Lamb, Jesus returns to establish His earthly Kingdom and reigns for a thousand years. Satan is bound for that time and is released thereafter for a short while. What happens after the thousand years?
Revelation 20:7-10 ESV And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. 9 And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, 10 and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
The Judgement and book of life
What saves us from God’s righteous judgement? How can we be sure that we will be saved?
Revelation 20:11-15 ESV Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. 13 And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. 14 Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
The Lord’s Table
When we celebrate the Lord’s Table, what do we look back on, what do we look forward to? What should that lead us to do in the present?
Matthew 26:26-29 ESV Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”
Prayer
Dear Father God in Heaven, Thank You that Your plans are always perfect and that You’re always faithful. Please forgive us our sin, help us to honour and obey You according to Your Word, and by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for sending Him to us, to rebirth us by faith in Jesus, and to empower us to be Your witnesses. Thank You that we need not fear judgement, but rather trust in Your amazing grace. Please help us to remember Your goodness and look forward in Hope to Your promises, while we share Your gifts, physical and spiritual with Your Church, In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my cleansing this I see—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
For my pardon this my plea—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Nothing can my sin erase
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Naught of works, ’tis all of grace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my hope and peace—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
This is all my righteousness—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
Serving
God calls people to gather together to celebrate His goodness and provision. He always prepares the best for us, invites us to share in it and calls us to share it with one another. What ways can we ask Him to help us to do this in the week to come?