Catechism Question 83
What is meant by the words ‘until He comes’ in reference to the Lord’s Supper?
The words ‘until He comes’ teach us that Jesus will return again, and we will eat and drink with Him in the consummated Kingdom. This is the joy and blessed hope of all believers.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
This is the last in a series of questions on the Lord’s Supper. In this question, we discuss the final words of Paul that are usually used when celebrating the Lord’s Supper – ‘until He comes.’ While many of the other things we have spoken of call us to look to the past or present, these words give the Supper a future aspect. The Church is to celebrate Communion until the return of Christ.
This future aspect is not something Paul invented. When Jesus instituted the Supper He said that He would not eat of it again until we all eat together in the consummated Kingdom. Paul picks up on this and tells us that we must continue to observe the Breaking of Bread until Christ returns.
This future aspect is also important because it reminds us of the return of Christ, and the Wedding Supper of the Lamb. The return of Christ is the Blessed Hope, and it is the joy that sustains believers in the trials and temptations of this life. So it is appropriate that as we come to the Table to receive strength, we look forward to the consummation of the Kingdom when our salvation will be complete and our struggles past.
Additional Questions:
Why do we celebrate the Lord’s Supper ‘until He comes’?
Scripture References:
1 Corinthians 11:26
For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Matthew 26:26–29
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Revelation 19:6–9
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 the saints.) 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
Titus 2:13–14
while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
1 John 3:2–3
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
Questions for Further Discussion:
How long is the Church supposed to continue celebrating the Lord’s Supper? Is it something that was for earlier days but that we are free to stop as times change?
Why is it important to remember the future aspect of the Lord’s Supper?
Why is the return of Christ our blessed hope? Why should it produce joy in us?
What is the relationship between meditating on the return of Christ and confessing and repenting of our sins? Would such examination and repentance be appropriate as we come to the Lord’s Table?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 76 of the Heidelberg Catechism, question 97 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 46 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg, Westminster Shorter, or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teaching “Communion” (June 3, 2012).
Suggested Worship Song:
We Will Feast In the House of Zion (Sandra McCracken and Joshua Moore)
(This song focuses on the final wedding feast. Each time we take communion we are foreshadowing that great feast, and we will continue to do so ‘until He comes.’)
We will feast in the house of Zion
We will sing with our hearts restored
He has done great things, we will say together
We will feast and weep no more
We will not be burned by the fire
He is the LORD our God
We are not consumed, by the flood
Upheld, protected, gathered up (Chorus)
In the dark of night, before the dawn
My soul, be not afraid
For the promised morning, oh how long?
Oh God of Jacob, be my strength (Chorus)
Every vow we’ve broken and betrayed
You are the Faithful one
And from the garden to the grave
Bind us together, bring shalom. (Chorus)