The public celebration of the marriage of the Lamb in heaven is described in Rev. 19. What is contemplated here, in connection with the coming of Christ, is what is revealed to John by one of the seven angels. He said. "Come hither, 1 will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." Rev. 21:9-119And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (Revelation 21:9‑11).
The subject would be incomplete without a few words on the effect of the presentation of Christ to the Bride. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come." How simple! And yet it was the suited response. It could not be otherwise inasmuch as it is the language of the Spirit and the Bride. But how can it be the language of both? Because it was produced by the Spirit in the heart of the Bride. It was His words, though uttered by herself (See Rom. 8:26, 2726Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26‑27).). The response therefore, was the one which the Lord desired to hear, and the only one suited to the moment. Notice that it was elicited by the presentation of Himself to the heart of the Bride. If, as a consequence, her heart overflowed in the one word "Come," it was the effect of the mighty working of the Spirit.
What a lesson to all who seek to minister to God's beloved people! Is it desired to lead them into fuller blessing by awakening in them more fervent affection to Christ? Let us notice the Lord's own way. It is to minister Himself in the aspect suited to the need. For this, the one who ministers must himself be in communion with the heart of Christ about His people. He must be near enough to Him to apprehend His mind for them at that particular moment. Oh, that many such servants may be found laboring among the saints of God.
“Let him that heareth say, Come." The Bride turns upward in the power of the Spirit as she gazes on the face of the Bridegroom and says with unutterable longing, "Come." It is not only the Bride but the Lord would have every one of His people, wherever they may be and who hear the cry, to join in that longing individually. What could more plainly reveal the Lord's mind for His own, than that He would have every saint of God maintaining the expectation of His return. Not one is excepted, and this very fact is a challenge as to our state of soul in view of seeing the Lord face to face. This prospect, when cherished, constitutes the one great motive for holiness, as the apostle teaches when he says that everyone who looks for Christ and being like Him, will purify himself, even as Christ is pure. (1 John 3:2, 32Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:2‑3).)
The circle is now widened. The Church is in a sense the depositary of grace. So the Spirit of God speaking through her or through His servants, and thinking of the multitude of needy, thirsty souls scattered throughout the world, remembering that the day of grace will be closed when the Lord does come, utters the yearning appeal, "Let him that is athirst come." As the Lord said when He was on earth, "If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink," so now the Spirit repeats the invitation. Oh, that weary souls who have been attempting to satisfy their thirst at human cisterns, might have their ears opened to hear this pleading invitation, and as they hear it, remember the words of the Lord Himself, "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well [fountain] of water springing up into everlasting life." John 4:1414But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14).
Every person on the face of the earth is thought of, for it says, "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Nothing could more fully show that the living water which Christ has secured through His death and resurrection is "towards all." All that is in the heart of God is for man, and consequently the gospel is to be proclaimed to all, for God has been pleased to assume the attitude of a Savior God. Since Christ died for all, He would have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim. 2:44Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4).) Let this gracious invitation, therefore, be proclaimed throughout the wide world, and with all the more urgency because of the imminence of the Lord's return.
Attention may be called to the fact that the presentation of the Lord in this twofold way, as the root and offspring of David and the bright and morning star, becomes the occasion for the description of the whole circle of the Church's affections. She, as the true Bride, begins with the Bridegroom. She then thinks of and includes all who are His. Next she remembers all anxious and thirsty ones, and lastly she travels out and becomes the interpreter of her Lord's mind, to all men everywhere. Let us seek grace that we may move in no narrower circle. Notice that the Bride begins with Christ and not with souls, however precious they may be. In the same way, if we are to become in any measure the expression of the heart of Christ, we must begin with Himself. If we forget this and commence first with saints or sinners, our hearts will become contracted and narrow, and we shall no longer be the exponents of His blessed heart and will. Give Him the first place in our affections and we shall be His faithful representatives towards all.
E. Dennett