Heaven: The King's Table, Feast

The previous pictures have given us glimpses of reconciliation and fellowship with God. We have seen Paradise as including the element of walking with God in the cool of the day. We have seen fellowship mentioned in the New Jerusalem and the True Tabernacle. But it is the next picture that best shows us the joy and intimacy of that fellowship: Heaven is like a joyous gathering hosted by God.

Consider first the celebration that the Father hosted to welcome home his prodigal son. There was music and dancing, and the fatted calf was slain. There is joy in the presence of the angels when a sinner repents!

Or consider the happiness of a wedding feast. The union of the Church with her Husband, Jesus, is a happy and intimate occasion—blessed are those who are invited and chosen! The oxen and fatlings are slain, and the lights are burning inside (in contrast to the darkness outside). And hidden in the background of this picture is the joyful Father, the King, who presented that bride to His Son and hosted the feast.

At the same time, it is like gathering at the King’s table. Like Mephibosheth, we find blessing and provision that stands in contrast to what we might have deserved or could have earned—the table is prepared, our cup runs over, places of honor are assigned, and we recline with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We are safe from our enemies, and receive comfort in Abraham’s bosom for our earthly hardships.

Unfortunately, there are those who are forbidden from the feast and banished into outer darkness, who drink a cup of wrath instead of a cup of blessing, who are forever separated from solace.

Continue to next picture of Heaven: Our Father's House and Inheritance
Return to summary of pictures of Heaven and Hell.
Return to Index of all studies.

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References for the foregoing:


Joyous gathering: Feast, the King’s table, Wedding, Reclining in the Kingdom
Wedding, Wedding feast (Mt 22:1-14, 25:1-13, Rev 19:7-9)
King’s table, householder’s feast, a table prepared (Ps 23:5-6, Mt 8:10-12, Lk 13:24-30, 14:16-24, 22:28-30)
Abraham’s bosom: the place of comfort, fellowship and reward (Lk 16:19-31)
See the account of Mephibosheth to gain a glimpse of the King's table (2Sa 9)

Contrast with Hell: excluded from the feast (Mt 22:13, 25:11-12), drinking the cup of God’s wrath (Rev 14:9-11, 16:6, 19), separated by a gulf from solace (Lk 16:19-31)