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Section 9

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

    Let us first reconsider the description of the bride that was examined briefly in the last chapter.

    "And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 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. 8 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. 9 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 19:6-9.

    The first thing to notice is that the reading portrays two companies of people.

    There is the bride--"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."

    And there are the wedding guests--"Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb."

    We will first test the conclusion that the bride of Christ is not the whole church, but a smaller group within the church who have been prepared and purified by God to be the Lamb’s wife.

EXAMPLES OF A SMALLER GROUP WITHIN THE LARGER BODY OF THE CHURCH

    In the last chapter, we asserted that the bride, pictured as being arrayed in "fine linen, clean and bright," were those who had embarked on the path of the cross, allowing their flesh to be put to death by the working of the Holy Spirit. Their fine linen clothing is said to be "the righteous acts of the saints," or the works of Christ done through them without the intrusion of their flesh. We also identified the bride with the "armies in heaven," who, were similarly arrayed in "fine linen, white and clean," and concluded that they were raised spiritually to a position where they shared the authority of Christ’s throne. This idea is reinforced by the description of the overcomers in Rev 3:12, and 3:21.

"He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. Rev 3:12.

"To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." Rev 3:21.

    In Rev 21:2, the bride of Christ is called ‘New Jerusalem.’ "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband."

    In Rev 3:12, Jesus promises to write the name of "the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven" on the overcomers. In other words, they are to be designated as part of the bride of Christ. And in Rev 3:21, Jesus granted to the overcomers "to sit with Me on My throne"(or to share His authority).

    In these readings, the promise to be part of the bride, and to share the authority of Christ’s throne, are not given to the whole church, but to "he who overcomes." The overcomers are they who have had their weak fleshly natures stripped away, so that they then live in union with Jesus Christ, and overcome by the power of His indwelling life. Paul described this overcoming life in these terms:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phil 4:13.

"To this end I also labour, striving according to His working which works in me mightily." Col 1:29.

"For we are the circumcision (circumcision of the heart by the stripping away of carnal flesh), who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh" Phil 3:3.

    In Revelation 14, we are given another picture of a smaller group of people (144,000) being associated with Mount Zion, or the bride of Christ.

    "Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads… These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God." Rev 14:1, 4-5.

    Mount Zion is another symbol for the bride of Christ. "But you have come to Mount Zion and (or even) to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (the bride of Christ)." Heb 12:22.

    Jerusalem, or the city as a whole, is a symbol of the church. Mount Zion originally referred to the stronghold of Zion, or David’s city, but was later expanded to include the site of Solomon’s temple with the ark of God’s presence. "For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for His dwelling place."Ps 132:13. Mount Zion is a small section within Jerusalem, just as the 144,000 are a comparatively small section within the whole church.

    By examining the attributes of the "one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads," we gain further insight into the nature of the bride of Christ.

one hundred and forty four thousand—The number twelve is linked with the elective purposes of God (12 tribes; twelve apostles). Squared and multiplied, it symbolises the full number of those elected by God, in this case to be the bride of Christ.
    It is God who elects and forms the bride. "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Rev 21:2. It is said to come out of heaven from God because He is its maker. He undertakes the work of refinement and sanctification, through working of the Spirit. "…for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God." Heb 11:10.
    Our initial description of the bride says, "His wife has made herself ready." Even though God forms the bride, He can only fashion each person as they fully surrender to His workmanship on the path of the cross.

standing on Mount Zion—showing them to be the bride of Christ.

having His Father's name written on their foreheads—To the sixth overcomer it was promised, "I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem (or the bride of Christ)." This spiritual mark signifies that the bride is His own creation, prepared especially by Him to be presented to His Son. She has the blessing of His care and protection.

were not defiled with women, for they are virgins—They are not physical, but spiritual virgins--they are totally consecrated to the Lord.

the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes—Follow is not directional, but compliance to the Lord’s will in all things in all circumstances.

redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb—God’s ultimate aim is for man’s spiritual growth and refinement and perfection. This is an ongoing work that will extend into our future eternal life. These are firstfruits of that work from man, perfected to the glory of God and the lord Jesus Christ.

in their mouth was found no deceit--They are without guile or ulterior motives in their speaking and manner.

without fault before the throne of God—Not that they are sinless, but that they have a purity of heart in their dedication and loyalty towards God.

    Revelation 12:17 presents us with another picture of a smaller refined and totally consecrated group within the larger body of the church. "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." Rev 12:17.
    Having failed to destroy the church in general, Satan concentrates his fury on this select group because they are those who Christ can use most effectively to destroy his works. Because the power of their flesh has been stripped away, Jesus is able to manifest His true testimony, or absolute truth of Himself, through them.     Revelation 20:9 describes the forces of Antichrist surrounding the camp of the saints, or the church in general, and the beloved city, or bride of Christ--"They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city." Rev 20:9

Rev 21:9-27
    "Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he who talked with me had a gold reed to measure the city, its gates, and its wall. 16 The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. 17 Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. 18 The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. 19 The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones: the first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth sardonyx, the sixth sardius, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. 21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. 22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honour of the nations into it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God—To view New Jerusalem, the bride of Christ, John was transported in the Spirit to a viewing point. This tells us that the flesh, or worldly eyes cannot discern the bride of Christ. It is a spiritual city that has to be spiritually discerned, or revealed to our spirits.

descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God—God undertakes the preparation of the bride for His Son. In the purifying process, the flesh gives way to the reign of the Lord’s presence within, and so the glory of God is seen to rest on her.

Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal… The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light—Jasper and crystal speak of clarity –in this case of the light of knowledge. It is illuminated with the glory of the knowledge of the Lord.

    The city is laid out as a square; its length is as great as its breadth. And he measured the city with the reed: twelve thousand furlongs. Its length, breadth, and height are equal. Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel (the angel uses man’s measurements)—The measurements of the city, 1500 miles long, 1500 miles wide and 1500 miles high, point to this being a figurative description of the bride. By comparison, its walls, 144 cubits or 216 feet, are diminutive, because it is guarded by God’s mighty angels, and "there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life."

Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel—New Jerusalem is the perfect consummation of the theocracy of Old Testament Israel. Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil. "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled." Matt 5:17-18.

Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb—The original twelve apostles of the Lamb were direct witnesses to the life and teachings of Jesus, and bore the responsibility of recording and passing on what they heard and saw.
    Those incorporated into the bride have been brought into a direct relationship with the Lord, and bear the "testimony of Jesus Christ," or personal testimony.

The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with all kinds of precious stones—They were adorned with the graces of God.

The construction of its wall was of jasper—Jasper symbolises her purity.

The twelve gates were twelve pearls: each individual gate was of one pearl—The pearl is used as a symbol because it illustrates how one must enter the status of the bride. The pearl is produced in the oyster as a reaction to aggravation. Similarly the beauty and purity of the bride is produced by a prolonged period of suffering and refinement.

the city was pure gold…And the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass—Pure gold, like transparent glass, symbolises the purity of the life of Christ within.

I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple—Jesus spoke of He and the Father indwelling us. "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." John 14:23. Those of the bride will personally know the indwelling presence of the Lord and the Father.

And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light—This again speaks of a select group within the church. In Revelation 20:9, Satan surrounded "the camp of the saints," or those saved in general, and the "beloved city," or New Jerusalem the bride of Christ. Here it is said that the bride will be a source of light and truth to the church in general.

Its gates shall not be shut at all by day—Entry into the bride status will always be open in this age and the age to come.

and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honour into it… And they shall bring the glory and the honour of the nations into it—All that is truly glorious in the earth will be gathered to it.

But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life—Anything that obstructs the purity of the life of Jesus reigning within her will be excluded. The abomination of dominant flesh will be banished from it.
Rev 22:1-5
    "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.

And there shall be no more curse—There shall be no more curse or accursed thing remaining in those of the bride.

but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him—The throne speaks of God’s reign. Because of their obedience, God and the Lamb are able to reign over all that they undertake. It follows that His servants shall serve Him."

They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads—The Lord will reveal Himself to them personally, and His name, designating His ownership care and protection, will be written on their minds and hearts.

"And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb—They will experience a continual flow of spiritual life from the throne of God and the Lamb.

In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life—Those of the bride have with in themselves a source of spiritual life with which to minister to others. Jesus said, "He who believes (to have faith in and fully trust) in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." John 7:38-39.

which bore twelve fruits (or harvests), each tree yielding its fruit every month—It is not that there are twelve different types of trees, and twelve different types of fruit. (in the KJV, in the phrase "twelve manner of fruits," the words "manner of" have been introduced by translators without authority). The general theme expressed is not of variety, but of abundance. The source of life from the bride is ever flowing.

The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations—The Greek word ‘therapeia’ for healing, has a basic meaning ‘to attend,’ or render a service to another.’ The service of the bride is not restricted to believers. She is source of light and salvation to the nations, and in this respect she is a source of healing to those who are dead spiritually

.There shall be no night there—There will be no spiritual blindness or darkness in her midst.

They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light—They are spiritually enlightened by God through the Holy Spirit.

A SUMMARY OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE CONSTITUTING THE BRIDE

    The bride is constituted of multitudes of people, prepared by God down through the ages to be refined and consecrated vessels to bear the testimony of Jesus Christ. Those who have been chosen to be a manifestation of the bride at the close of the church age hold a unique position, because they are the "called, chosen, and faithful" ones who will stand with Christ in the overthrowing of Antichrist’s kingdom.
    The marriage feast of the bride and the Lamb on the new earth, is a celebratory union of all who have constituted the bride with their Lord.

Their Characteristics

The Epilogue or Conclusion to the Book of Revelation.

    Having finished the main portion of the prophetic revelation, John is now presented with a short epilogue or conclusion.

Rev 22:6-10
    "Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. 7 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." 8 Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. 9 Then he said to me, "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God." 10 And he said to me, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.

These words are faithful and true—A solemn declaration that all the words of the Book of Revelation are the true words of Jesus Christ to His Church.

to show His servants the things which must shortly take place—The events prophesied in the Book of Revelation must commence shortly.

Behold, I am coming quickly— Christ’s coming quickly refers to His commencement in fulfilling all of Revelation’s prophecies. His coming quickly means without delay, remembering that all is in God’s sovereign timing.

Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book—In the first chapter, Christ announced a blessing on all those who read and hear the words of the Book of Revelation. "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." Rev 1:3.
    Now a similar blessing is pronounced on all those who keep or store the words of the Revelation in their hearts.
    John is refrained from worshipping the angel, being reminded that he is a fellow servant of Christ. He concludes with the instruction, "Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand," or ready to begin.

Rev 22:11-15
    "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still." 12 "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last."

He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still—This is a solemn proclamation that when the events in Revelation are fulfilled, the dye is cast, and the judgment of God unchangeable. The corrupt will be eternally corrupt, and the righteous eternally righteous.

I am coming quickly, and My reward(that which is due for both good or bad) is with Me, to give to every one according to his work—A further warning that when the events of Revelation are fulfilled, He is coming without delay to judge, and to give to each according to their works, good or bad.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last—Christ now proclaims why He is entitled to judge. He and the Father are ONE, the eternal I AM.

Rev 22:14-15
    "Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life—The word ‘do,’ literally means ‘to wash’--Strongs: 4150 pluno- to "plunge", i.e. launder clothing.
    The word ‘commandments’ literally means ‘a long fitting gown’—Strongs: 4749 stole -- long clothing (garment), (long) robe.
    The meaning is that they who wash their garments or souls in the blood of the Lamb are then clothed Christ’s robe of righteousness. They have the right to eternal life and to become part of the bride.

outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie—This speaks of those outside of the blessings of Christ’s atoning sacrifice.

Rev 22:16-17
    "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." 17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches—A confirmation that Jesus is the author of the Book of Revelation, and that the angel was His appointed messenger.

I am the Root and the Offspring of David—As the Root and the Offspring of David, He is the fulfilment of all Messianic prophecies.

Is the Bright and Morning Star—The herald of the age of heavenly glory.

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely—An invitation to all to come and receive the blessings of the cross of Christ. A further invitation is issued by the bride for all to allow the Spirit to lead them into the bride relationship.

Rev 22:18-19
    "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

    The book ends with a solemn warning that the original text of the Book of Revelation as John wrote it must not be altered. This does not mean that explanatory notes may not be used as an aid to understanding, but that other material must not be incorporated in the original text, or some of the original text deleted.

Rev 22:20-21
    "He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

    There is another assurance that the Lord Jesus was coming without delay. His coming is revealed in the unfolding of the Book of Revelation. This is followed by the Apostle John’s worshipful response, and a pronounced blessing: "Even so, come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

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