The Great Supper of God – The Apocalyptic Feast of Revelation • When Jesus Returns | Messianic

This Bible teaching, possibly delivered by Matthew Vander Els, delves into the often-misunderstood book of Revelation, revealing its core message not as one of fear and anxiety about the end times, but as a powerful theopolitical statement of hope and a call for believers to subvert earthly empires while embracing their citizenship in the kingdom of heaven. Revelation, a genre of literature known as apocalyptic, utilizes vivid and sometimes violent imagery that is largely symbolic and metaphorical rather than literal. This style, common in the first century and seen in books like Daniel and Ezekiel, serves to reveal profound truths in an explosive and over-the-top manner, ultimately intended to give hope to believers facing war, violence, and oppression.

Understanding Apocalyptic Literature and Its Purpose

The speaker emphasizes that interpreting Revelation literally, with giant sea monsters and widespread destruction, misses the crucial message. These powerful images represent the empires of the world, past, present, and future, and the symbolic nature of apocalyptic literature allows for a more significant and timeless message. The very term “apocalyptic” means “revealing,” and in the context of Revelation, it’s a revealing of the true nature of earthly powers and the ultimate sovereignty of God.

The Role of Empires and the Call to Subversion

Empires and earthly rulers are often portrayed as antagonists throughout the Bible, and particularly in Revelation. They employ various methods to maintain control, including manipulating religion and intertwining faith with their imperial propaganda. The speaker highlights how ancient Rome deified Caesar, creating an imperial cult where worship of the emperor was linked to divine favor, thereby securing allegiance through religious means. This tactic of associating national loyalty with divine approval is not unique to Rome; the speaker points to the historical use of “In God We Trust” in the U.S. during the Civil War and the addition of “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance during the Cold War as examples of governments attempting to reinforce national identity with religious sentiment.

Revelation encourages believers to recognize God’s ultimate authority and to see through the deceptions of these earthly empires. Our primary allegiance is to the kingdom of Yeshua (Jesus), a kingdom that is not of this world but of heaven. This loyalty to God’s eternal kingdom empowers believers to stand firm against the lies and oppressions of worldly powers, understanding that these empires will ultimately crumble or submit to God’s sovereignty. Even unto death, this unwavering loyalty to God’s kingdom leads to victory.

Yeshua, the King, and His Coming on the Clouds

The greeting in Revelation, mentioning Yeshua coming with the clouds, is not necessarily a literal depiction of his return from heaven to earth. Instead, it draws upon Old Testament prophecies, particularly from Daniel 7, where the Son of Man (Yeshua) is vindicated after being allowed to be killed by earthly empires. In Daniel’s vision, the Son of Man ascends on a cloud chariot to God’s throne, where his eternal kingdom is inaugurated. Therefore, “coming on the clouds of heaven” signifies Yeshua’s ascension and the establishment of his sovereignty and authority over all creation.

This imagery of a “cloud rider” was significant in the ancient world. Pagan cultures, like Israel’s neighbors who worshipped Baal-Hadad, a storm deity, associated cloud riding with the highest power and authority. The biblical authors deliberately adopted this imagery to assert Yahweh’s supremacy, declaring that their God, not the pagan deities, is the true cloud rider. Yeshua himself references this in Matthew 26 when speaking to the high priest Caiaphas, stating that from that moment on, Caiaphas would see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven. This was not a future prediction of his return but a declaration of his present vindication and the launch of God’s kingdom, coinciding with the destruction of the “beast” of Daniel 7. Thus, John’s greeting in Revelation serves as a powerful salute to fellow believers, affirming that their king, Yeshua, is the ultimate authority and has already defeated the earthly “beasts.”

The Pierced One and the Spirit of Compassion

Another element of John’s greeting draws from the prophecy of Zechariah, which speaks of a time when God will pour out a spirit of grace and compassion upon Jerusalem, and they will look upon the one they have pierced and mourn. The speaker interprets this “piercing” metaphorically as the way God’s people have treated Him through their selfish pursuits and rejection of His ways. Despite this, God’s response is not abandonment or wrath, but a sending of compassion to bring them back to Him.

The Great Supper of God in Revelation 19

The teaching then moves to Revelation 19, depicting the final return of Yeshua and the fall of Babylon, which symbolizes all oppressive empires. The imagery here is intense: Yeshua rides a white horse, judging and making war in righteousness, striking down nations and ruling with a rod of iron. He is called “King of kings and Lord of lords.” An angel calls all the birds to a great supper of God, where they will feast on the flesh of kings, captains, mighty men, and all people, free and slave. This scene is followed by the beast (representing empires) and the false prophet (representing the perversion of religion in service of empire) being thrown into the lake of fire.

Application for Everyday Life

• Recognize the deceptive nature of worldly powers and empires: Be aware that earthly systems may try to manipulate truth and demand ultimate allegiance, potentially conflicting with your loyalty to God’s kingdom.
• Prioritize your citizenship in God’s kingdom: Your primary loyalty should be to Yeshua and his teachings, which may require standing against the values and actions of the world.
• Embrace the power of truth and God’s word: Like the sword from Yeshua’s mouth, the truth of the Gospel has the power to expose lies and bring about transformation.
• Understand victory through sacrifice, not domination: Follow the example of the slain Lamb, overcoming evil through love, humility, and truth, rather than seeking power and control.
• Extend and receive God’s mercy and compassion: Recognize that God’s desire is for all to turn from deception and find salvation. Offer grace and understanding to others, even those who seem like enemies, and be open to receiving God’s forgiveness yourself.
• Be a subversive light in the world: Live differently from the prevailing culture, challenging injustice and deception with the truth of God’s kingdom, even if it leads to opposition.
• Hold fast to hope: Regardless of past mistakes or current struggles, remember that God’s victory is assured, and there is always hope for redemption and reconciliation.

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References

• Revelation 1 Biblehub.com
• Revelation 13 Biblehub.com
• Daniel Biblehub.com

Resources Mentioned

• The Bible
• Daniel (Bible)