Communion: The Symbol of God's GraceSample

How Communion Points to Our Future

When Jesus shared His last Passover meal with His disciples, He said, “Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God” (Mark 14:25). Jesus was giving us a glimpse of the future when God will host the most mind-blowingly lavish banquet ever prepared.

In the Book of Revelation this feast is called “the marriage supper of the Lamb” (Rev. 19:9, ESV), and it is compared to a marriage feast, which in biblical times lasted several days. It is a glorious banquet designed to honor Jesus, the Bridegroom, and His marriage to the church, which is metaphorically called the bride of Christ. When all redeemed saints are together with Jesus in the new heaven and new earth, we will all attend this party. The Lord’s Supper is a preview of what awaits us!

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 5:7–8: “For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Therefore let us celebrate the feast.” Even though we only take a small piece of bread and a sip of wine or juice when we take Communion, it is described as a “feast” because of what it represents. It is like a sample, or taste, of the grand gala we will all enjoy at the end of the age. For now our gracious and loving heavenly Father, who loves to host parties, invites us to celebrate our salvation regularly by partaking of Communion.

Some Christians treat the Lord’s Supper in a dreary way, with sad religious music and long faces. But this is not a time to be somber. It is not a dead ritual. We are a new covenant people! This is a time to rejoice. Just as you would celebrate Thanksgiving Day with a turkey dinner and pumpkin pies, or enjoy a cake and laughter at a birthday party, Communion is a festive banquet designed to honor and glorify the Savior.

Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!

—Revelation 7:10b

For the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

—Revelation 7:17