41. The Lamb's Wife

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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“T. A. H.” In Isa. 54:5,5For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. (Isaiah 54:5) and Hos. 2:19,19And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. (Hosea 2:19) and many other passages of Old Testament Scripture, we have Israel presented, in the mystic relationship of wife, as in Rev. 21 we have the Church. But the difference between the two is immense, and very material as bearing upon our character and conduct. The former is earthly; the latter heavenly. The former will stand connected with the Messiah, known on the earth; the latter with a heavenly Christ—the Son of God—not known after the flesh—not known in earthly relationship. The Church only knows a glorified Christ above. Her relationship with Him is in heavenly glory. She is connected with Him as one cast out from earth—rejected—crucified—risen and glorified. This stamps the Church's character. The restored nation of Israel will know Christ as the one exalted in the earth the great King—the Lord of hosts. The Church, on the other hand, is called “the Bride, the Lamb's wife.” She is linked with Him in that wondrous character. Hence, all those who, through grace, form part of the heavenly body, should walk as heavenly people—a people who have broken with the world—the intimate companions of a rejected Christ—partakers of His sufferings. As to the terms “Bride” and “Wife,” they set forth a positive relationship between the Lord and His heavenly and earthly people. It may be said that they set it forth mystically or figuratively; but yet they do set forth a real relationship with its holy affections, privileges, and responsibilities; and while it is quite true that an individual is not the Bride, yet should each individual member cultivate tile affections and exhibit the characteristics of this high and holy relationship. We may further add that, in human life, the term bride suggests a different idea from that of wife. The former is a title connected with the joys of the day of espousal; the latter awakens the thought of matured companionship in all the joys and sorrows of life. But we must beware of being too human in our mode of handling these holy mysteries, “The Spirit of truth” can alone enable us to enter into them.