THE WIFE OF THE LAMB : ALL GLORIOUS WITHIN

PSA 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Thy kingdom. [7] Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Thy God, has anointed Thee With the oil of joy above Thy fellows. [8] All Thy garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made Thee glad. [9] Kings' daughters ( Plural) are among Thy noble ladies (plural) At Thy right hand stands the queen (singular) in gold from Ophir.

PSA 45:10 Listen, O daughter, give attention and incline your ear; Forget your people and your father's house; [11] Then the King will desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him. [12] And the daughter of Tyre will come with a gift; The rich among the people will entreat your favor.

PSA 45:13 The King's daughter (singular) is all glorious within; Her clothing is interwoven with gold. [14] She will be led to the King in embroidered work;

The virgins,(plural) her companions who follow her, Will be brought to Thee. [15] They will be led forth with gladness and rejoicing; They (plural) will enter into the King's palace.

The scriptures use different metaphors to describe God’s eternal purpose and different names and titles to describe the Son of God . He is called by many names and each name tells us something about the Lord. In that same way the bride of Christ , the wife of the Lamb, is called a city, a queen, the King’s (the Father’s) daughter, My beloved, My sister, a tower, even a field, etc. The Song of Solomon uses intimate terms to describe the relationship between Christ and His bride.

EXO 39:1 Moreover, from the blue and purple and scarlet material, they made finely woven garments for ministering in the holy place, as well as the holy garments which were for Aaron, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

EXO 39:2 And he made the ephod of gold, and of blue and purple and scarlet material, and fine twisted linen. [3] Then they hammered out gold sheets and cut them into threads to be woven in with the blue and the purple and the scarlet material, and the fine linen, the work of a skillful workman.

While some of these things are not easy to understand, there are several scriptures that give us insight into eternal things. Here, the priests garments are described and a little about how they are made. Gold was rolled into a very fine sheet and threads were cut from these sheets to interweave into the garments. They were “interwoven with Gold”. As the “King’s ( the Father’s) daughter” has gold interwoven into her garments.

Exo 28:[2] "And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. The garments of pure white were the normal priest’s garments. However, there were two garments of the high priest. The regular and the one for beauty. The balance of Exodus 28 describes the priest’s garments in more detail. Since Jesus Christ is our High Priest He has both garments for glory and for beauty. His wife must also have matching garments. In other scriptures more details of the priest’s garments are given. However, we should see that there is a relationship between the queen, the Father’s daughter, and the priests of the Old Covenant.

We should understand that The Father is a great King who has always sat upon the throne of heaven. He has a Son who has overcome and has sat down now next to His Father on His throne. It this sense the King’s daughter is the Father’s daughter. In other instances the queen is the Son’s wife or the bride of the Son King. The confusion comes if we don’t see there are two Kings.

There are 33 instances where different things of the Tabernacle or the Temple were overlaid with Gold but only these two instances that Gold threads were woven into the garments. This tells us there is a direct connection between the bride’s garments and the priest’s garments. The bride will fulfill the duties of the priests. The “work of the wife of the Lamb” will be diverse and will include being the bondservants as well as the manifested sons and the overcomers. The bride will not just sit around for eternity but will be active ruling with Christ.

While “the queen” describes her relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ, “daughter” describes her relationship with the Father. The “King’s daughters” and “Thy noble ladies” describes their relationship to the Father, “the queen” describes her relationship with the Lord. The bride, the wife of the Lamb is always spoken of as one while those who attend her and invited guests are always spoken of as plural in number. The virgins, her companions, are in the plural number. They will enter into the King’s palace with gladness and rejoicing is speaking of the invited guests. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, John the Baptist etc will also be invited guests.

JOHN 3:29] "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. And so this joy of mine has been made full. [30] "He must increase, but I must decrease.

SOS 6:8] "There are sixty queens and eighty concubines, And maidens without number; [9] But my dove, my perfect one, is unique (one) : She is her mother's only daughter; She is the pure child of the one who bore her. The maidens saw her and called her blessed, The queens and the concubines also, and they praised her, saying, SOS 6:10 `Who is this that grows like the dawn, As beautiful as the full moon, As pure as the sun, As awesome as an army with banners?'

Here again the plurality of queens, concubines and virgins is compared to the singular “dove”, the perfect one, and the mother’s ONLY daughter. This describes her relationship with the church. For example; The 10 virgins in Mat 25 cannot be speaking of the bride of Christ simply because of the plural number. 10 may speak of those who are saved but one speaks of the bride. The FIVE wise virgins that are taken into the wedding feast can only be speaking of the invited guests. The FIVE unwise virgins that were shut out of the wedding feast are those that were not ready in time for the wedding feast in heaven and will have to find their place in a different part of “heaven”. Possibly on New Earth.

While “churches” in various places are valid, “THE CHURCH” which is His body is singular and cannot be otherwise because He is singular.

The bride of Christ is “all glorious within” in the same way that the New Jerusalem is “all glorious within”. The great treasure within the eternal city is the great treasure that is within the bride because the city IS the bride. This is certainly the “treasure laid up in heaven” and “the pearl” of great price. The bride is full of gold and precious stones. She is full of glory and also clothed with glory and without spots or wrinkles. Full of Gold = Full of God! Precious stones = The work of the Holy Spirit forming Christ in us. It is Christ in us that is our hope of that glory! Jasper = Image and likeness, the color of the One Who sits upon the throne. The color = The nature of God. The city had the appearance of jasper. The throne is surrounded by the rainbow which is His by covenant and is offered to us by covenant. Perfect union = Creator and created becoming one.

While this may seem to be a lot of hype and unrealistic for redeemed man to be one with the Creator, never the less this is what the Bible teaches. The question is NOT will it happen but how will it happen. This is one of “the mysteries” that is to be revealed through the church. It should be obvious by all that “imperfect man” cannot be one with the “Perfect One”. For that reason that “one” that will be joined to Him must be perfected. Since He is God and He changes not, that only leaves us who have to change to meet His standards.

Since the “eternal city” IS the bride and the “eternal city” is perfect and an exact reflection of Christ, Himself, it is clear that the bride HAS come to perfection. In God’s history written in advance, (Revelation 21 & 22), it is already recorded that the church HAS come to perfection and is “all glorious within”. The question that remains is this; How do we get from here to there? Obviously God has a great work that needs to be done in us. While most are seeking for God to do a great work “through them”, the greatest work is the eternal work that must be done “in us”. Once the work is done “in us” He can do all kinds of things “through us” without damaging us or destroying us for our eternal destiny.

While it is very clear that we must identify with Christ in His death, His burial and in His resurrection there is an equally essential identification in His ascension and His throne-ship or ruling now from heaven. While identification in His death, burial and resurrection is basic and common to all true believers, the ascension with Christ and the ruling with Christ now requires a purification of character and attitudes. To carry the authority of the Throne and the authority of the name of Jesus requires that we develop in character and integrity.

While the church is now legally “on the throne with Christ”, if she was there experientially the balance of power on the earth would be with the church. The sanctified church is still the mightiest force on earth for morality and good even though it has fallen far short of it’s potential. While the church may not live up to the standard of being the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” still she is providing something to hinder Satan and his demons.

COL 3:1 If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. [3] For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

It is not difficult to identify some who had the power and authority of His name but didn’t develop in character and integrity and lost their way. God’s purpose is to develop us first so as not to destroy us. This is by far the safest and the best priority. Unfortunately many get in a hurry to manifest the power without waiting to develop the character necessary for the long run and fall short. Of course in eternity future there will be no “rulership authority” without maturity, character, integrity and Christ likeness. This life is the training and developing time for eternity. If the church was not functioning in some degree, Satan would have free reign to corrupt the whole earth. However, the one who hinders will one day be taken out and then Satan will have free reign for a short time.

Some of the old saints often wrote about “the divine romance” referring to this relationship between Christ and His bride. The love OF God and the believer’s love FOR God is basic Bible teaching. Some have stumbled over this term “romance” because of a common identity with something sexual. Of course in the spiritual realms “romance” refers to love relationship and intimacy but not to anything sexual. This puts prayer at the heart of “romance” in the church age. To try to experience “romance” in “working for God” is disappointing. While worship may have a place in this “romance”, corporate worship does not satisfy our need for intimacy. That is only found in quiet prayer.

This work of the “overcomer” provides the salt of preserving and the light that purifies. Even if the whole church, of all born again believers, is not experientially raised up and seated with Christ, at least the overcomer must fulfill that position. This means that the authority and dominion of the throne is exercised on the earth through the overcomers. Since “rulership” must be in union with Christ and not as independent agents, it provides apprenticeship training in ruling for eternity future. The overcomers will also rule on the earth during the millennium. Where else is the church going to get training to rule over all the works of God’s hands from the New Jerusalem?

It is common knowledge in much of the church that Satan was totally defeated and put to an open shame by Christ upon Calvary. The Word became flesh and destroyed Satan’s power and authority. Jesus said that ALL power in heaven AND earth was given to Him. That means that no power or authority is left for anyone else. Our power and authority must be in His name and by His direction. If the church is not equipped to use the power and authority of His name, God’s hands are tied as far as earth is concerned. God will not usurp the position He has given the church to exercise Christ’s authority over the earth. The reason is so simple but also so profound. That would defeat the church’s opportunity for apprenticeship training in ruling over the earth. Since this preparation is necessary for eternity, God must wait upon the church to get the revelation and act upon the Word of God.

Unless the Word became flesh and provided full redemption for man upon Calvary, the church could never rise up to complete the purpose of God and be trained for eternity. If Satan’s defeat was total and absolute why has not the church taken her position and begun to rule? Probably because of ignorance but maybe because she is too busy with her own plans and projects. Is it possible that during this church age the church is commissioned to enforce Christ’s victory over Satan and his demons? If the gates of hell cannot overpower the church that Christ is building what are we doing to see the reality of that victory? This is the work and identification of the overcomers who “conquer” and are “victors”. God is depending upon the overcomers to enforce the victory of Calvary upon the opposing forces. Well, why doesn’t He just do it Himself? The reason is because this is the overcomers opportunity to grow up into this authority and be trained for eternity.

It should be obvious that the church that doesn’t pray or prays ineffectively has no other means of cooperating with God in getting His will done on earth in the measure that it is being done in heaven. The religious tread mill that we are all familiar with is the result of prayerlessness by the church. However, prayer without active faith is powerless to bring in the purpose of God. That is why this knowledge is so essential for building the church and releasing the captives into full salvation. Praise, worship and prayer can all flow into the same ministry of releasing Christ’s authority, power and dominion in our realms of responsibility.

To bind and cast out Satan and destroy his influence in this county will require more than we have seen so far. If we have to “first bind the strong man before we can spoil his goods” why don’t we just do that? Probably because Satan has deceived us into blaming God for not binding him after He told us to do it. Satan, by deceiving the church into prayerlessness, has defeated us and protected himself. Satan will always deceive us into “working on some project” instead of praying effectively. Prayer becomes the most difficult ministry simple because it is the most effective ministry and receives the greatest opposition. The self-centered, selfish and “give me” type prayer is all part of the deception. Satan is surely not concerned with that kind of prayer.

If we knew for certain that overcoming Satan was how we qualify for the throne, our emphasis would change and our ministry would have to be more focused.

PS 8:1 O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Thy name in all the earth, Who hast displayed Thy splendor above the heavens! [2] From the mouth of infants and nursing babes Thou hast established strength, Because of Thine adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.

Spiritual warfare has taken on a form of screaming at the devil and calling him ugly names but that is totally ineffective. To speak the word of God and make proclamations of what God has said concerning the heavens and the earth and proclaiming who Christ is and what He has said is spiritual warfare. When Jesus was being attacked by Satan in the wilderness it appears that Jesus didn’t get nervous or lift His voice and scream at the devil but calmly made proclamation of the Word of God. He overcame the devil and the devil departed. 40 days of prayer and fasting strengthened Jesus to deal with the devil effectively but calmly.

Since “everything was made by Him and He is before all things” He preceded all history. Before the foundation of the world, God was and He established His purpose! This purpose is irrevocable and unchangeable. However, at Calvary the purpose of God took on an experiential value. Calvary became the pivotal point of history. The “old” was before Calvary and the “new” followed Calvary. The next great event will be the snatching away of the bride for Christ. The “new” has reached it’s climax with the final maturity of the church. This, in effect, is the whole purpose of history in the first place, to provide this perfected bride for Jesus!

In other words, everything focuses upon the New Jerusalem in eternity. The focus of God’s working in us today is to perfect us for that place.

To try to sum up these series of studies is most difficult because there is no place to stop because the purpose of God goes on and on! His greater purpose will continue to unfold as He opens up more scripture to us. However, there are a few things that should be infused into our consciousness that are not easily erased.

All past and future history is totally meaningless outside of God and His word. If man has no more value in creation than a tree and no greater future then we should eat, drink and be merry because tomorrow we die. Jesus Christ is the center of all history, past, present and future. The past was fulfilled in Him. The future will be fulfilled by Him. The present is the time that He is working in us for the future fulfillment. Ignorance of this history is one reason of the lethergy that prevails and the wandering through the wilderness of life. If Canaan is abstract then wandering will be normal!

Everything begins IN HIM and everything ends IN HIM. He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. COL 1:15] And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. [16] For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created by Him and for Him. [17] And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. [18] He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. [19] For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell in Him, [20] and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, Christ is God’s history, past present and future.

HEB 1:2] in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. [3] And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;

All of creation has reached it’s zenith in Christ and through Christ all of creation will reach it’s zenith in the New Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem is God’s masterpiece of creation and it’s glory will be God, Himself. While all this may be incomprehensible to man, if we aspire to participate in God’s process, our attitude, our hope and our faith must be rooted in God who proclaims these things. Only in and through Christ are these things possible. God’s own glory will dwell permanently in that city which is His highest creation.

Only God’s masterpiece of creation and perfection could be trusted to legislate and exercise dominion over eternity future. While Satan was created perfect in wisdom and perfect in beauty he was not adequately perfected to do what man has been predestined to do. We must rise higher than he. He aspired to the throne but got careless. We must also aspire to the throne but we can’t neglect the process of God to perfect us for that place.

Now the Last Adam has already achieved to the throne of God and has taken His seat at the right hand of the majesty on high. One of us has made it! His name is Jesus. The man, Christ Jesus! In eternity present the whole of creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. Creation is waiting for the perfection of the bride for Christ. The “last Eve” will be a reflection of the Last Adam and will rule with Him.

Since there is only one architect and designer of all things and since He is before all things and since all things hold together in Him, everything in the universe is co-operating with Him toward the same end and purpose. Even if Satan and his angels oppose, deceive, and corrupt, everything continues to move toward God’s eternal purpose. No power can stop it so it is predestined and assured. The city of God is absolute and is already defined and described. From God’s view it is complete. From men’s side they still have to be perfected.

Since man was created in God’s image and likeness he had to be given free will. Now man can accept God’s purpose for his life or reject it but he cannot change it. It is already cut in stone and written as history. Without revelation who will give themselves so completely to God that they can be developed to fit into their place in God’s city. If the city is not complete in this generation it may be complete in the next, but it surely will be perfected.

Two streams run together but with totally different destinies. The world system is being perfected in evil and wickedness. God’s system is being perfected in righteousness and holiness. The world system ends in the lake of fire. God’s system ends in the New Jerusalem. While God has a place for everybody our call is to preach the Kingdom and God’s ultimate purpose of perfecting a bride for His Son.