What Does Consummation Mean?

What does the word “consummation” mean in the Bible?

Consummation Defined

Consummation is the act of consuming something to the full or a fulfillment of some goal or desired outcome. It can also be defined as the ultimate goal or end, like the goal line is the end of the playing field in football and by crossing that line, the goal has been achieved and the team scores a touchdown. Consummation can be defined as the completion of a goal, the fulfillment of a desired outcome, and/or marks the arrival of something, like in biblical theology, the consummation the Kingdom of God at the arrival of Jesus Christ, where the kingdoms of this world are directly under the Kingdom of God on earth (Rev 11:15). In many traditions and statutes of civil or religious laws around the world can refer to the first officially credited act of sexual intercourse between a husband and a wife and even the consummation of the two in marriage.

Biblical Consummation

The Apostle John writes about the consummation of the Kingdom of God but by the appearance of the King of that Kingdom where he wrote that “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world” (1st John 4:17) but there is also the consummation of God’s coming judgment of which Daniel wrote about in the end times, where he wrote that it will be “Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate” (Dan 9:27). The psalmist wrote, “I have seen the consummation of all perfection, But Your commandment is exceedingly broad” (Psalm 119:96). Of course it was said of Jesus that He was full of grace and of truth (John1:14) or the very perfection of it and we could say He is the consummation of all truth and all grace as He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), not a way, a truth, or a life, as in eternal life. Those who all their life have rejected Jesus have gambled and lost their opportunity for eternal life because God’s judgment is revealed from heaven (Rom 1:18). That is the point no return (Rev 20:12-15) “for our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29) and “the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Duet 4:24). Fire is symbolic of the judgment of God for it completely consumes what burned with fire.

The Consummation of the Kingdom

As we have read, a consummation of a marriage means the two are joined together both spiritually and physically and the consummation of the Kingdom of God is very similar in regards to the church and Christ being joined together with her at His return. The Apostle Paul, in describing the relationship between the church, which is the Bride of Christ, and the Bridegroom (or Lamb), which is Jesus Christ, wrote that it was “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph 5:31-32). After God brought judgment to the world (Rev 18), the Apostle John writes “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Rev 19:7-8) and “Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God” (Rev 19:9). The Lamb is clearly Jesus Christ and the bride is the church and they can only attend the wedding if it has been granted “to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright,” which is ultimately the righteousness of Christ (2nd Cor 5:21) and oh, what a marriage feast that will be. The feast to end all feasts, to be sure.

Conclusion

Right now, if you have repented of your sins, which means you have turned away from them and forsaken them and then turned to God and after having placed your trust in Christ, you are like Christians everywhere; you are also waiting for the consummation of the Kingdom, but more so; we are waiting for the King of the Kingdom. He is King of kings and Lord of lords and that marriage feast is coming and it seems that even the creation is groaning for His return (Rom 8:19). The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins is not written only for believers because it’s to those who are procrastinating (Matt 25:1-13) or hardening their hearts so that they will be without excuse on the Day of Judgment (Rom 1:20). Everyone sitting on the fence of indecision should understand that the fence and all on the outside of the sheepfold will be tossed into the fire and sent to a place of torment (Rev 21:8). No decision is a decision to reject Him and after death (Heb 9:27), that’s when your consummation of judgment comes.

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.