Have You RSVP’d?

I’ve been thinking a lot about Heaven lately. I find myself looking to the clouds more and more, wondering what it will be like. Then one day, my gaze heavenward, I was reminded of something.

A few years ago, on a Sunday morning, we were getting ready for church. It was during a particularly trying time in our home. Most days felt like chaos, filled with bickering and fighting. That morning was no different.

As I bustled around trying to get everyone ready, our youngest son kept trying to get me to come upstairs. I continually brushed him off. “Not right now! I’m busy! … In a minute!” Repeat.

Finally, I sighed and succumbed to his request. He led me up the stairs to his room, the door was closed. He made me close my eyes as he grabbed my hand and led me in. As he lifted his hands, he shouted, “SURPRISE!” It’s a wedding!

He had taken his blocks and pretend food and created a big table. I looked down and sitting at the head of the table was this guy. I heard him say, “Come on Mom! It’s a banquet, and you’re invited!”

Tears filled my eyes as I was reminded of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelations 19: 6-9). As I’ve been reflecting, something hit me. I almost missed it! I was distracted, too busy. I almost didn’t respond to his invitation.

I’ve been reading Heaven by Randy Alcorn. As I read this story in Chapter 4: Can You Know You’re Going to Heaven? It all came together.

Ruthanna Metzgar, a professional singer, tells a story that illustrates the importance of having our names written in the book. Several years ago, she was asked to sing at the wedding of a wealthy man. According to the invitation, the reception would be held on the top two floors of Seattle's Columbia Tower, the northwest’s tallest skyscraper. She and her husband, Roy, were excited about attending. 

At the reception, waiters in tuxedos offered luxurious hors d’oeuvres and exotic beverages. The bride and groom approached a beautiful glass and brass staircase that led to the top floor. Someone ceremoniously cut a satin ribbon draped across the bottom of the stairs. They announced the wedding feast was about to begin. Bride and groom ascended the stairs, followed by their guests. 

At the top of the stairs, a maitre d’ with a bound book greeted the guests outside the doors. 

“May I have your name please?”

“I am Ruthanna Metzgar and this is my husband, Roy.”

He searched the M’s. “I'm not finding it. Would you spell it please?”

Ruthanna spelled her name slowly. After searching the book, the maitre d’ looked up and said, "I’m sorry, but your name isn’t here.”

“There must be some mistake,” Ruthanna replied. “I’m the singer. I sang for the wedding!”

The gentleman answered, "It doesn't matter who you are or what you did. Without your name in the book you cannot attend the banquet.”

He motioned to a waiter and said, “Show these people to the service elevator, please.”

The Metzgars followed the waiter past beautifully decorated tables laden with shrimp, whole smoked salmon, and magnificent carved ice sculptures. Adjacent to the banquet area, an orchestra was preparing to perform, the musicians all dressed in dazzling white tuxedos. 

The waiter led Ruthanna and Roy to the service elevator, ushered them in, and pushed G for the parking garage. 

After locating their car and driving several miles in silence, Roy reached over and put his hand on Ruthanna’s arm. “Sweetheart, what happened?”

“When the invitation arrived, I was busy," Ruthanna replied. “I never bothered to RSVP. Besides, I was the singer. Surely I could go to the reception without returning the RSVP!” 

Ruthanna started to weep - not only because she had missed the most lavish banquet she'd ever been invited to, but also because she suddenly had a small taste of what it will be like someday for people as they stand before Christ and find their names are not written in the Lamb's book of life. 

We’ve each received a personalized wedding invitation. I imagine our names engraved in beautiful gold lettering. But they each come with an enclosed RSVP card, a choice.

We all have a final, eternal, destination. I think most people assume they're on their way to Heaven. It's become popular belief that all roads lead there. If we believe in a god, are a good person, go to church, have been baptized, we're headed in the right direction.

But that's not what Jesus told us. He told us HE was the way, the truth, and the life and no one would come to the Father except through him. John 14:6 It's why he came down from Heaven in the first place. To save us, so we could come back with him some day.

My daughter recently asked my husband, "How do I know I'm going to make it, Dad?" Romans 10:9 says, ⁹ "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

There are many people who profess to be Christians, but as I look at their lives I sometimes question. But I'm reminded no one knows our hearts, but God. It's individual. Our RSVP has everything to do with our heart posture.

Don't wait or procrastinate. None of us have a date on our invitation. We don't know the day or hour he'll call us home or we'll hear the trumpet sound. If he's been tugging and knocking at your heart's door I encourage you to listen to this message from Phil Wickham The Way Home . Today is the day to add your name to the guest list!

Phil Wickham - Homesick For Heaven 

Revelation 3:20 “²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Revelation 19:6-9 ⁶ Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

“Hallelujah!    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.⁷ Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.⁸ Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”

(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)

⁹ Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

John 3:16-17 ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

Ephesians 1:13-14 ¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.