February 22, 2005
6. A CAUSE OF GREAT REJOICING. The marriage of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus. The importance, the high esteem and statues of the Lamb in the program of the Lord cannot be over estimated. Jesus, the Lamb of God is the vital component of all that involves the salvation of mankind and their hope of things eternal. It was the privilege of John the Baptist to introduce Him to Israel as the Lamb of God. The only one who can extract man from the guilt and condemnation of sin and iniquity. John 1:29, 36 The center piece of heaven, the throne of the Lord is resplendent with the Lamb. He is yet seen bearing the marks and evidence of His supreme sacrifice. The blood of Christ graces the throne. The Lamb stands alive, yet giving great witness and evidence of the cost of redemption. Rev. 5:6 The Lamb is the object of worship and praise. The twenty-four elders pay their respects to the Lamb who had redeemed them. These men are given great status in the leadership of the occupants of heaven throughout eternity. Their work commenced on earth, in directing the church, now it will continue eternally. In spite of their exalted position, on their thrones, which surround the throne of the Lord, they literally fall down before Him in adoration and praise. Having instruments of music, they sing a new song unto the Lamb, proclaiming His worthiness. Rev. 5:8-9
THE TIMING OF THE WEDDING. In studying the Book of Revelation it must be remembered that the book is not written in sequential fashion. It covers a number of visions that were given to the Apostle John on the island of Patmos, which he recorded, giving us the Book of Revelation. Consequently, the marriage of the Lamb as stated in chapter nineteen is not an event which will take place at the conclusion of all that is stated in the book. The marriage must take place prior to the beginning of the tribulation, not at its conclusion. The married “body of Christ” is depicted in chapter twelve, as a wedded woman. She is the bride of Christ. Concerning this woman. She is not Mary, the mother of Jesus. The revelation is not a book of history, but rather, an unveiling. [Greek. apokalypsis, the removal of the veil.] Something that was secret, now made known. The book is variously stated to have been written between AD 68 to AD 96, with the latter being more acceptable. This would preclude any of its visions relating to the past. Jesus had been born, lived His life, died, was buried and raised by the glory of the Lord, long before the writing of the book. The child born in Revelation twelve is not Jesus. Consider the language of the book. It is written concerning, ”things which must shortly come to pass.” Rev. 1:1 “The time is at hand.” Rev. 1:3 “The things which shall be hereafter.” Rev. 1:19 “Must be hereafter.” Rev. 4:1 “For the time is at hand.” Rev. 22:10 All of these verses project the book out into the future from the moment of it being deliver to John. In relationship to our subject, we are living in the days of the preparation of the bride, for “His wife has made herself ready.” Rev. 19:7 Note she is no longer called a bride but now a wife. One not newly married.