This bride of the Lamb is to be the convoy of the glory back to the earth, to its place of power and government on the earth. The Lamb's bride is found in heaven, (chap. 19,) but here she is manifested, not only to show us her beauty, but to try our hearts by her light. It is not merely the beauty and attractiveness of the scene, but that which applies itself to the heart and conscience. If we are seeking ourselves, (i.e., our own advantage,) we are not in moral harmony with this scene. Here it is her joy as well as her dignity to bring, not her own glory, but the glory of God back to the earth. How is it with our hearts? Do we desire to be the ministers of His praise, and not of our own? We ought to be putting on the character of this city before we reach it: it ought to be the breathing of our souls, " Lord, conform me to this thy glory."
1st. We have the stability of this place, it hath foundations. All that I desire to notice now in this description is, to draw from it that which will affect our hearts. Do we delight in its stability? Dissatisfied now, we ought to look fully in the face of all around, and say, It will not do for me; but when we look to Jesus, can we say, " This is my rest?" We shall be established in abiding rest, how far can our hearts now go to Jesus and acknowledge Him as our rest, and sing in spirit, " This is my rest forever?" There is nothing in these foundations that can be moved. Are we in company with this? Can we look to Jesus and say, We have tasted in Him the desired end of our long wearisome journey?
Ver. 22, " I saw no temple therein." All savored of worship; there was no need of set days, the whole is sanctuary. Do we breathe in unison with this? It is a long journey to flesh and blood; the strong sleep in going up the mountain, and in the garden, and when the word is to watch. But there is a worshipping atmosphere where no provision is made for the flesh. O! let us now pray that we may find greater liberty in worship; and wherever we are, may the thought of the presence of Jesus be our sanctuary, and may we not only delight our hearts with this wondrous vision, but try their affections by it. What is the light in which our souls are walking? Is it the light of the simplicity of Christ? Is the Lord God and the Lamb the light of our souls? Acquainting ourselves with our duty in our calling by the way, but the knowledge of God and the Lamb the light to guide our feet? Through the whole scene, we are of the holy city, though not in it yet. Nothing that defiles can enter in; the purity of the place is such, everything brought in there is sanctified. Is my heart delighting in this? Do I love the pure things that suit the presence of Christ?-having that within me that, having breathed the atmosphere of this holy city, can desire to cherish this? Then not only in the blood of Christ do I read my title, but in the Spirit within me do I read my sympathy with Him, if I love the things that are pure.
The healing of the nations (chap. 22:2,) shows the benevolence of this city. What did she do with her river and her tree? She sends them forth to heal and refresh the earth. There is her benevolence; and if I am niggardly, refusing to go forth with the little or much I may have, I am not of this city. Do not you delight in this city? I know it rebukes you, but do not you delight in it? We would not blot out a feature of it for worlds, though it may chasten, and humble, and rebuke us. While we are surveying our dignities, we are trying the strength of our affections, how far we are in present sympathy with this city which brings down to earth not its own glory but God's. As long as I am not satisfied with Jesus, I am not in company with the stability of this place, and all its worship, light, purity, and rich benevolence. These are not only rays of glory, but they are features of moral character.
Chapter 22:3. " His servants shall serve him." Oh! do not you know what it is to grow weary in service? And are you not angry with yourself for this weariness? This very anger tells you that you are in full sympathy with that place where His servants SHALL serve Him. Is it not happy to know that by and by, without fatigue of heart,
or weariness of spirit, you shall serve Him night and day. By the grace of God, this very anger in our souls shows our sympathy with this city. Are we not daily obliged to go to our Father, and complain of our little love; and is not this the Spirit forming us for the glory? (ver. 4.) As we look at His face, He will stamp ours with the mark that we are His, for with Him we shall reign. It is the glory of a king to have a happy, obedient people, and that will be the glory of these millennial kings-these that constitute the Bride, the Lamb's wife. All under their rule are happy and blessed. In the 11th verse, is a solemn word, a day is coming, which will no longer be a day of salvation; when once the Master riseth up, and shutteth to the door, there will be no more entering in. In the 16th verse Jesus shows Himself as the root and offspring, &c.; and in the 17th verse, the Spirit seems to catch that character of glory and says, " Come." Have you and I laid the scene of our happiness in the presence of Christ? Do we never allow a hope, or indulge an expectation, the moral character of which would hush the desire of " Come quickly, Lord Jesus?" We should say to our hearts, " Where have you been gleaning today?" It is not merely that we have to acquaint ourselves with passages like this, but there is to apply them to our hearts. " Let him that heareth say, Come." Here is full liberty, beloved, to him that heareth, and whosoever will. If any say, I have not heard; well, have you any thirst? are you not satisfied? will you come? He is most condescending, come to Him as a poor sinner, if not as a believing saint. In verses 7, 12, and 20, we have, "Behold, I come quickly," but the context in each is different. In the 7th, like the 12th of Luke, or 24th of Matt., He comes as the thief; in the 12th, He comes as the master to his servants, bringing his reward, his kingdom and glory; in the 20th, he comes Himself, alone as the Bridegroom to the bride; and her response is, Amen, (or I con satisfied.) Thou art all I want-the richest answer to Him.
May we stir up our hearts and our affections to be ready. Have I laid out for to-morrow, and so hindered myself from being able to say, "Come, Lord Jesus." "Surely, I come quickly." Amen. This is the simplest, the heart's desire. We thus indeed say our Jesus is our Omega. It is the desire of our souls to keep ourselves in the sympathies of this play. It is written, we are not OF the world, though IN the world; we are to be OF heaven, though not IN it-answering in all simplicity, " Even so, come. Amen." Ver. 21. This is our power, the power of the bride to adorn herself, make herself ready.