At long last, the Apostle John is shown the culmination of God’s future wrath against and destruction of all sin. To this point it had been revealed that Jesus Christ—the Lamb who was slain and is, thus, worthy (5:6, 12)—will one day initiate, oversee, and enact righteous judgement upon the whole world. Natural disasters and unnatural disturbances, fear and famine, death, darkness, and demonism will be unleashed. While the church will be exempt from this time (3:10), those who come to faith during this time will likely be martyred (6:9–11). As the prophets predicted (Dan 12:1; Joel 2:2) and Jesus affirmed, it will be a season of chaos “such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will” (Matt 24:21). 

But it all comes to an end with two banquets, one of celebration and one of condemnation. And a study of these two future suppers can prepare God’s people today to partake in another supper, the Lord’s Supper, one of commemoration, purification, and anticipation.