069. REV 21:9. THE CHURCH CHRIST’S BRIDE
Rev_21:9. The Church Christ’s Bride
"Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife."’97Rev_21:9.
The union of Christ to the church is frequently represented in the divine ward under the figure of a marriage; and the taking of Eve from the side of Adam, and presenting her to him as his future companion and wife, seems beautifully typical of Christ enduring the sleep of death, that he might purchase to himself "a peculiar people, zealous of good works." This idea is found both in the Old and New Testament Scriptures; Isaiah refers to it, Isa_54:5; and Isa_62:45; Jer_3:14. The blessed Redeemer frequently introduced it. Parable of the marriage of a king’s son. The parable of the ten virgins. Also Joh_3:29. The apostle Paul also adopts it, 2Co_11:2. We have this fully expressed in the second verse of the chapter, as well as in the text.
Let us observe three things, I. The Bridegroom. II. The Bride. And, III. The Marriage Consummation.
I. The Bridegroom’97
Is Christ, in the text styled "the Lamb." This title is given to Jesus by the prophet Isaiah, chap. Isa_53:7; by the Baptist John, chap. Joh_1:29; by Peter, 1 Epist. 1Pe_1:19; and twenty-six times in the book of the Revelation. It is a name expressive of his innocency and meekness; and is especially designed to remind us of his substitution as the sacrifice for human guilt, for he is our paschal Lamb sacrificed for us. By he bridegroom being represented as the Lamb, we are reminded of two important facts,
1. Of the nature it was necessary Christ should assume to become the bridegroom of the church.
It was indispensable that he should partake of the same nature. Deity could not possibly stand in any other relationship than that of Creator, Governor, and Judge. Christ, therefore, became a real and true man, had a body of flesh and blood, a reasonable soul also, and thus was a perfect man, made "in all points like unto us, yet without sin." The other fact of which we are reminded by Christ being called a Lamb, is,
2. That as a Lamb he was slain for the purchase of his church.
See Act_20:28, "The church of God purchased with his own blood;" see also, Heb_13:12, "That he might sanctify the people with his own blood." Hence the song of the redeemed in heaven, "Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood." Rev_1:5. "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain," &c. Rev_5:9-12; Rev_7:14. Then, observe three things in the bridegroom,
(1) His original riches and glory. Son of God’97Heir of heaven’97the Prince of life’97Lord of all.
(2) His unparalleled love to man. Love of Christ passeth knowledge. Eternal and unbounded love. Loved us more than he loved the ease, the riches, and the joys of glory’97more than he loved his own life.
(3) The greatness of his claims upon our gratitude and love. We ought to "love him, because he first loved us." Yes,
"Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands our hearts, our lives, our all"
Let us then notice,
II. The Bride.
"The bride is the church;" the associated body of believers. We referred in the introduction to several passages where this is specified. Now, there are several things which exhibit the beauty and appropriateness of the metaphor. There is,
1. The abandonment of their original connections and condition.
Those who constitute the church, were originally "far off"’97aliens and strangers’97enemies to God’97without Christ and without hope, and without any love to or desire after Christ. But when the mind becomes enlightened, then sin and folly are forsaken, Christ’s voice is heard, and all things are left to follow him.
2. The spiritual union of the church to Christ.
Believers are joined to Christ, and they who are joined to the Lord have one spirit. "New creatures in Christ Jesus." They are of one mind with Christ’97possess his spirit, and are partakers of the Divine nature.
3. There is the possession of the name of Christ.
As his bride, the church bears his name; all their former titles and distinctions are annihilated. No longer enemies, but friends’97no longer sinners, but saints’97slaves, but freemen’97not now unbelievers, but the humble disciples and followers of the Lamb.
4. There is the investiture of the church into all the riches and honors of Christ.
As his bride, she not only bears his name, but becomes associated with Christ in all his dignity and treasures. "Joint heirs with Christ." "All are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present or things to come," &c. 1Co_3:22.
Observe,
III. The Marriage Consummation.
"The Bride, the Lamb’s wife."
1. The church in this world is espoused to Christ.
"His bride." This, among the Jews and among many other nations, was considered an important preparatory arrangement. There is considered to be between the parties, agreement’97affection’97and a desire for perpetual union. Now on earth all God’s people thus stand related to Christ. There is mutual agreement, love and desire for everlasting union.
2 The grand performance of the nuptial ceremony is reserved for Christ’s second coming.
Until then, the church will not be complete. One grand design of Christ’s second advent, will be to receive "his bride," that "where he is, his people may be also," and forever, see ver. 2. Then will the church be raised to participate of Christ’s uninterrupted presence, and to be glorified with him with that "glory which he had with the Father before the world was." Then shall be the marriage shout, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh." Then shall the festival be prepared’97the heavenly banquet, "And there shall be no more curse," &c. Rev_22:2, &c.
Application
Let the church, (1) Rejoice in her exalted privileges and glorious prospects. (2) Walk worthy of her high vocation, and exhibit the praises of him who hath called her out of darkness into marvellous light. (3) Invite sinners to be reconciled to Christ, and to come to him that they may have life. (4) At the marriage of Christ with his church, his enemies will be punished with destruction from his presence, and the glory of his power. 2Th_1:7-9.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS