1 Corinthians 11:26 — For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Revelation 19:6–9 — Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. 7 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.” 8 It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. 9 Then he said to me, “Write, ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’ ” And he said to me, “These are true words of God.”
If the Lord's Supper can correct our perspective on the past, it can have the same effect on our thoughts regarding the future. It's too easy to get into a worldly way of thinking. We put down roots in this world, we invest for a long and comfortable retirement here. We might become overly concerned about the affairs of this world, and not live our lives (if we are true believers) in the light of the fact that we don't belong here, and in the light of of the fact that our time here is a fleeting moment compared with the eternity that lies ahead.
In short, we can begin to live our lives just as those do who have not believed in Jesus - as though life in this world is all there is. Then we do not seek to store up treasure in heaven but rather here on earth.
But now we come to the Table of the Lord. Here, as Paul tells us in the first passage above, a message is proclaimed that has a "use by" date on it. This is the message of Christ's death to overcome the power of sin and Satan, a message that will no longer be needed when Christ returns in glory. At that time, the final enemy of death will be placed, fully defeated, under His feet. All those for whom He died will received their risen, glorified bodies (or if they are alive at the time will be transformed directly into that state). So the Lord's Table should make us think of the temporary nature of our existence on earth, and that Jesus is coming.
Look at the passage from Revelation, though. This talks about a wonderful supper that will happen when the new heavens and the new earth have come into being - the marriage supper of the Lamb. Finally the bride (aka the church), which has lived on earth somewhat separated from her Head, will be fully joined with Him in a blessed and eternal union - the culmination of God's exquisite plan of salvation, in which the church will be Christ's reward for His finished work. At that supper, the church will be present at the table, as will her Lord and Husband - something which is prefigured for us each time we come to the Lord's Supper.
In both these ways, then, the Lord's Supper encourages us to get a proper view on the future - on the return of our Lord and the bringing in of the eternal state, and on the consummation of the marriage between Christ and His bride. Here is an antidote to the myopia that living in this world can cause. Here we are given a glimpse into the future eternal certainties that await every true child of God. This view should help us set aside living for the present and encourage us to live in a more heavenly-minded manner, which will be a blessing for us and will bring more glory to God.
So think on these things as you come to the Table - and look with anticipation through the eyes of faith at what lies ahead for you in Christ!
