Then it can be said, “For the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready [at the judgment seat of Christ].”
The pearl exemplifies and illustrates the graces which have been the result of “the washing of water by the Word” and which belong to the bride of Christ at the time of the marriage of the Lamb. The pearl is characterized by depth of beauty, fairness, worth, iridescent luster, softness, delicacy, effulgence, elegance, intrinsic value and delicate, feminine graciousness.
No money value is set upon a pearl. Its value is discovered at the time of purchase. What a price was paid to purchase the Church — the blood of Christ Jesus shed at Calvary.
Years of patient work are necessary for the formation of cultured pearls. The woman who sweeps the house in Luke 15 gives a picture of the patient work of the Spirit of God within the bride.
One pearl, there never was another
Thy heart to satisfy,
Eternal joys discover.
Oh, gracious Lord,
Thy Father’s wisdom, Boundless,
Has through Thy cross
Now wrought a work
So groundless,
Except for love
That would not spare
His darling
To open wide the heart of God
And fill the heavens with children,
Precious stones, formed
As His companions ever,
In felicity, Thy bride,
One pearl, the Church,
Thy radiant display, Forever,
Of God’s eternal glory.
“Purity here, the result of the Spirit’s work, prepares His bride for a happiness of which His heart is the measure and source” (JND).