November 30, 2002(4)
A NAME WRITTEN. Many versions of the Bible include < his name and his Fathers name >, which is correct. God in His Triunity has chosen that His name would reveal the unity of the Godhead. To invoke and seal them with that divine name is to place the fullness of His protection upon them. It is a proclamation of ownership and possession. They are totally sheltered by the authority and power of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. 14:1
STANDING ON MOUNT SION. Their location is high on mount Sion. Like the shining forth of a volcano or a fire on the peak of a mountain, they shine forth and are visible from afar. Prominent and outstanding. They are important to the Lamb. This is the city that is set on the hill of the Lord. Mt. 5:14 The Lamb is surrounded by this very special group. We have seen the importance of mount Sion to the New Testament church. It is founded on Christ the rock of ages. Rom. 9:33It is the church of the first born. It is the eternal city of the living God. Heb 12:22-24 It is the New Jerusalem. It is the bride who has prepared herself. She has beautified herself and has been glorified by the Lord. Rev. 21:2 She is plainly identified as the Bride, the wife of the Lamb. Rev. 21:9 She is the greatest city that ever has been or ever will be. She is holy and comes from God. He is the architect and builder. Rev. 21:10 She is the woman of the intense glory of God. The city of great light and glory. Rev. 21:11 The same woman as seen in Revelation twelve. The one hundred forty-four thousand are a segment of that bride and that city. Whatever their racial background they belong to the Bride of the Lamb, to the New Jerusalem and to the New Testament church.
THE LAMB IS TO BE MARRIED. This is certainly an important teaching to the body of Christ, and in particular to we who are living in the end of the age. This will shock some, but the marriage of the Lamb is of greater importance to the church than His Second Coming. For the simple reason that it comes FIRST. The woman of Revelation twelve is married and has been for a sufficient length of time to give birth to the manchild. The events that are recorded there are those which introduce the great tribulation period. All Christians who have prepared themselves to be in the bride will be removed into a place prepared for her, by God. Rev. 12:6 While that place is called a wilderness, it is speaking only of its location. It will be located in a desolate and solitary place but because of the presence of the Lord will be anything but waste and empty. Here is a bit of insight, which will give us an idea of the glory of that wilderness. The Bride is comforted. The wilderness to which she was taken will be like the garden of Eden. How fitting, the first Adam and Eve were in a garden. The last Adam and Eve will also be in a garden. A place of singing, joy, rejoicing and thanksgiving. Certainly not a place of hardship and difficulties or this sort of gladness and praise would not be practiced by the inhabitants of the wilderness. Isa. 51:3 Every need will be abundantly supplied. What a glorious experience.