I saw an interesting article the other day, it said Jesus isn't married to the Church! His "kingdom", that was given to Him by His Father, is the New Jerusalem. The marriage was performed at the time He received His kingdom, we await the reception, not the marriage. The church are His children, which, if you think about it, is kind of weird to suggest that we are married to Him.
I saw an interesting article the other day, it said Jesus isn't married to the Church! His "kingdom", that was given to Him by His Father, is the New Jerusalem. The marriage was performed at the time He received His kingdom, we await the reception, not the marriage. The church are His children, which, if you think about it, is kind of weird to suggest that we are married to Him.
What say ye?
He receives His Kingdom officially when He leaves the heavenly sanctuary during the last plagues according to SG vol. 1. His Saints have been sealed and sins blotted out.
Just as He is King, the full Kingship won't be realized until then just like King David... was anointed but ran for his life for years and wasn't received until years later.
The purified 'church' will be the ones that He will marry... and invitations are already going out to the reception as you have mentioned. We are living stones of the New Jerusalem and the bible refers to the New Jerusalem as His Bride.
Seems to me that there are steps involved here just like the judgment... and the sacrifice of the Lamb of God... etc.
"I saw that every case was then decided for life or death. Jesus had blotted out the sins of his people. He had received his kingdom, and the atonement had been made for the subjects of his kingdom. While Jesus had been ministering in the Sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was finished. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was given to Jesus,and the heirs of salvation, and Jesus was to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords." Chapter 32, The Shaking, G.C. 1858 (very similar in the 1911 edition also).
It appears that the kingdom is not only the New Jerusalem (literally a city with twelve gates) but also "the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven". The greatness of the kingdom may mean all other created heavenly intelligences. The kingdom is given to Jesus and the heirs of salvation. Ellen White noted when she conversed with "good old Enoch" on a planet in vision, that Enoch did not live on that planet. He was only visiting, he lived in the city (the kingdom to come, the New Jerusalem?). We know all the saints will have a home in that city!
"I saw that every case was then decided for life or death. Jesus had blotted out the sins of his people. He had received his kingdom, and the atonement had been made for the subjects of his kingdom. While Jesus had been ministering in the Sanctuary, the judgment had been going on for the righteous dead, and then for the righteous living. The subjects of the kingdom were made up. The marriage of the Lamb was finished. And the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, was given to Jesus,and the heirs of salvation, and Jesus was to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords." Chapter 32, The Shaking, G.C. 1858 (very similar in the 1911 edition also).
It appears that the kingdom is not only the New Jerusalem (literally a city with twelve gates) but also "the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven". The greatness of the kingdom may mean all other created heavenly intelligences. The kingdom is given to Jesus and the heirs of salvation. Ellen White noted when she conversed with "good old Enoch" on a planet in vision, that Enoch did not live on that planet. He was only visiting, he lived in the city (the kingdom to come, the New Jerusalem?). We know all the saints will have a home in that city!
32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;
36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. ( see Revelation 3:20 )
37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. *
38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
* ({CET 64.1} {EW 19.1} {GW 350.1} )
Jesus Found Pleasure in Scenes of Innocent Happiness.-- Jesus reproved self-indulgence in all its forms, yet He was social in His nature. He accepted the hospitality of all classes, visiting the homes of the rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, and seeking to elevate their thoughts from questions of commonplace life to those things that are spiritual and eternal. He gave no license to dissipation, and no shadow of worldly levity marred His conduct; yet He found pleasure in scenes of innocent happiness and by His presence sanctioned the social gathering. A Jewish marriage was an impressive occasion, and its joy was not displeasing to the Son of man. . . . To the mind of Jesus the gladness of the wedding festivities pointed forward to the rejoicing of that day when He shall bring home His bride to the Father's house, and the redeemed with the Redeemer shall sit down to the marriage supper of the Lamb. {AH 503.2}
His Example in Conversation and Conduct.-- When invited, as His work commenced, to a dinner or feast by Pharisee or publican, He accepted the invitation. . . . On such occasions Christ controlled the table talk and gave many precious lessons. Those present listened to Him; for had He not healed their sick, comforted their sorrowing, taken their children in His arms and blessed them? Publicans and sinners were drawn to Him, and when He opened His lips to speak, their attention was riveted on Him. {AH 503.3}
Christ taught His disciples how to conduct themselves when in the company of those who were not religious and those who were. He taught them by example that when attending any public gathering, they need not want for something to say. But His conversation differed most decidedly from that which had been listened to at feasts in the past. Every word He uttered was a savor of life unto life to His hearers, and they listened with subdued attention as though desirous of hearing to a purpose. {AH 504.1}
Ellen G. White and a Pleasant Social Gathering.-- At the close of my long journey east, I reached my home in time to spend New Year's Eve in Healdsburg. The college hall had been fitted up for a Sabbath school reunion. Cypress wreaths, autumn leaves, evergreens, and flowers were tastefully arranged; and a large bell of evergreens hung from the arched doorway at the entrance to the room. The tree was well loaded with donations, which were to be used for the benefit of the poor and to help purchase a bell. . . . On this occasion nothing was said or done that need burden the conscience of anyone. {AH 504.2}
Some have said to me, "Sister White, what do you think of this? Is it in accordance with our faith?" I answer them, "It is with my faith." {AH 504.3}
Draw Youth With a Winning Power.--God would have every household and every church exert a winning power to draw the children away from the seducing pleasures of the world and from association with those whose influence would have a corrupting tendency. Study to win the youth to Jesus. {AH 504.4}
computer software acting up , requiring more posts.
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"In both the Old and the New Testament, the marriage relation is employed to represent the tender and sacred union that exists between Christ and His people. To the mind of Jesus the gladness of the wedding festivities pointed forward to the rejoicing of that day when He shall bring home His bride to the Father's house, and the redeemed with the Redeemer shall sit down to the marriage supper of the Lamb. He says, "As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee." "Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; . . . but thou shalt be called My Delight; . . . for the Lord delighteth in thee." "He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing." Isaiah 62:5, 4, margin; Zephaniah 3:17. When the vision of heavenly things was granted to John the apostle, he wrote: "I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready." "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb." Revelation 19:6, 7, 9. {DA 151.1}
Jesus saw in every soul one to whom must be given the call to His kingdom. He reached the hearts of the people by going among them as one who desired their good. He sought them in the public streets, in private houses, on the boats, in the synagogue, by the shores of the lake, and at the marriage feast. He met them at their daily vocations, and manifested an interest in their secular affairs. He carried His instruction into the household, bringing families in their own homes under the influence of His divine presence. His strong personal sympathy helped to win hearts. He often repaired to the mountains for solitary prayer, but this was a preparation for His labor among men in active life. From these seasons He came forth to relieve the sick, to instruct the ignorant, and to break the chains from the captives of Satan. {DA 151.2}
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August 6, 1894 The Ten Virgins.
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By Mrs. E. G. White.
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Seated upon the Mount of Olives, which was over against the temple, with his disciples around him, Jesus seeks to make clear in a prophetic discourse the deeper mysteries of the kingdom of God. Through his favorite medium, by parables, he endeavors to imprint upon their minds the special truths connected with his second coming to our world. The sun has set behind the mountains, and the heavens are curtained with the shades of evening. A dwelling house is lighted up brilliantly, as though for some festive scene. The lights shine from the open spaces, and an expectant company wait around, indicating that a marriage procession is soon to appear. In many parts of the East wedding festivities are held in the evening. The bridegroom goes forth to meet his bride, and bring her to his home. By torchlight he will bring her along the streets from her father's house to his own, where a supper is prepared for the guests invited to the wedding. {ST, August 6, 1894 par. 1}
Lingering near the bride's house are ten young women, in attire suitable for the occasion. Ten was the usual number who were chosen as bridesmaids. Each of the bridal attendants has a lamp and a small vessel for oil. Their lamps are lighted, and as hour after hour of waiting goes by, they grow weary of watching, and, one after another, they fall asleep. About midnight the sleepers are awakened with the cry, "Behold, the bridegroom cometh." They exchange their slumbers for life and activity. They spring to their feet. The wedding procession is in sight, with the brilliant torches shining, and they can hear the joyous music as they approach. The ten virgins seize their lamps, and begin to trim them to go forth; but five of the watchers have been wise and five foolish. Five have neglected to fill their vessels with oil. They have not expected the bridegroom to tarry so long, and have not prepared for the emergency. They are in distress, not because they see that their lamps are going out, but because they know that there is nothing in their vessels by which to replenish them. They address a piteous appeal to those who have provided themselves with oil; but they are denied, for the wise virgins have only enough to fill their own lamps, and they are bidden to hasten away and buy oil from the dealer. And while they are away on this errand, the bridegroom comes. The wise virgins, with lamps trimmed and burning, join the procession, and go in to the wedding, and the door is shut. {ST, August 6, 1894 par. 2}
Soon after the door is shut, the foolish virgins come, knocking for admittance to the banquet hall, but they meet with an unexpected answer to their call. The Master of the feast says, "I know you not." There is no evidence given that the foolish virgins did obtain oil, but there is abundant evidence that they did not enter into the marriage feast, but were left standing outside in the empty streets in the blackness of the night. {ST, August 6, 1894 par. 3}
Jesus used the parable of the ten virgins to represent the condition of the church before his coming, and the question that concerns each one of us is, Are we among the five wise or the five foolish virgins? Without going into the details of the parable, we may ask ourselves, What is our condition before God? Those that were wise went in to the wedding. We shall make it manifest what is our true condition by our conduct and conversation. Jesus has warned us as to what should be our position at this time. He says, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of Man cometh." {ST, August 6, 1894 par. 4}
He who relaxes his vigilance because he knows not the day nor the hour when his Lord shall come, who becomes careless, and neglects to have his vessel filled with oil (the grace of Christ), will be found unprepared, and will not go in to the wedding. How solemn is the oft-repeated warning that our Lord has given to watch! He says, "Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh." If a much-loved friend in the last hours of his association with us should give us counsel, warning, or instruction, how carefully would we treasure his words, how faithfully would we follow his instruction, and give attention to his cautions! Christ is our best Friend, for he has purchased us at infinite cost, and has made us his sons and daughters, and these soul-stirring words have been uttered by him for our benefit. Shall we not regard his claim upon us, and give him our service and our sympathy? If we do this, we shall not be neglectful of his warning, "Watch ye therefore; for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at evening, or at midnight, or at the **** crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you [my disciples] I say unto all, Watch." "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately." {ST, August 6, 1894 par. 5}
Now is the time to look to it that we have on hand an abundant supply of the oil of the grace of Christ. It was the wisdom of the wise virgins in supplying themselves with oil that made the difference between their fate and that of the foolish virgins, who had neglected to keep oil in their vessels with their lamps. In the Scripture, oil is used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. The wise virgins are those who have faith and love and patience, whose experience day by day is nourished by the Holy Spirit. They do not conform to the world in careless inattention. They do not put off their daily preparation, but follow Jesus wherever he leads the way.God is not pleased with a flickering faith. It is compared to a lamp that is going out. He is pleased with those whose experience is like that of a lamp that is burning brightly. His followers are to shine as lights in the world. Christ's servants are to keep their lamps trimmed and burning, that they may add their light to the light of others who are following Christ.Those who are not daily desirous of gaining a living, daily experience in the things of God, will not meet his approval, but will be found with those whose lamps are going out, and will not be prepared to go in to the marriage supper of the Lamb. We cannot be ready to meet the Lord by waking up at the last minute, when the cry is heard, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh," gathering up our lamps, from which the oil has burned away, and thinking then to have them replenished. Our only hope is daily to love God, to love the truth, not for the sake of its clear arguments, but for truth's sake alone.We must bring the truth into our hearts and minds, and every day be living, shining lights, learning daily more and more of Jesus. Our conversation must be in heaven, from whence we look for our Lord Jesus Christ. We should talk much of his coming; then we shall be constantly receiving the grace which cometh from above, from the Source of all spiritual power. {ST, August 6, 1894 par. 6}
The time is far spent. It is too late now to sleep the careless sleep of indifference. It is time now to rejoice greatly because of the Bridegroom's voice. It is time to sing of the marriage supper of the Lamb. The question for us to settle is, Which class shall we be among, the wise or the foolish? God help us to be among the wise. "Blessed are they that are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb."
The extra oil that was in storage poured into the lamps = wise / not foolish
Oil= Holy Spirit, given upon conditions, what were the upper room conditions + conditions of receiving extra reserves of the Holy Spirit ( upper room > obedience to Jesus rules of discipleship + daily choosing to obey and act out the obedience of all known truths > Daniel 7:27; Acts 5:32 ; Hebrews 5:9 + obeying laws of letting light shine & first works <TM 167. {PaM 133.3} >, because foolish virgins hide their light .
Chap. 209 - Noncommittal Christians
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Matthew 5:14, 15. {TMK 215.1}
Let no one feel inclined to hide his light. Those who hide their light so that the world may not distinguish between them and those who walk in darkness will soon lose all power to diffuse light. They are the ones who are represented by the five foolish virgins, and when the crisis comes, when the call is heard "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him" (Matthew 25:6), they will arouse at last to find that their lamps have gone out, that they have mixed with the elements of the world and have not provided themselves with the oil of grace. They were lulled to sleep by the cry of peace and safety, and did not keep their lamps trimmed and burning. Aroused to their darkness they plead for oil, but it is impossible for one Christian to impart character to another soul. Character is not transferable. Those who are ease-loving, world-loving, fashion-loving professors of Christianity will not go in to the marriage supper of the Lamb with those who are represented by the five wise virgins. When they solicit entrance they are told that the door is shut. Now is the time to impart light.... {TMK 215.2}
It is not to be looked upon as a trifling matter to have the light of present truth, and yet to be noncommittal. It is no trifling thing to say by attitude and sentiment, even though that sentiment is not expressed in words, "My Lord delayeth his coming." The spirit and influence of the peace and safety sentiment is in our very midst, and the very atmosphere that surrounds the soul of many who profess to be believers in the soon coming of Christ is of a malarious character, calculated to soothe the very ones who would be stirred if we showed zeal and determination and stood at our post of duty to warn men of the speedy advent of our Lord....We must speak forth the truth, we must let our light shine forth in clear, steady rays, lest some soul shall stumble and fall because our light is eclipsed. {TMK 215.3}"
There is a reason Christ can not be married to the whole world - they refuse to come to Him and vow themselves to Him, and why Christ can not have the whole Church as redeemed Bride in His arms, they daily love and cohabit with strangers, and not Him.
Thus I look in God's mirror, Lord where do I stand ?
If it's too dark to plainly see the mirror God supplies in Scripture and SOP, then my mind, heart, character is darkened and I have my answer.
"The marriage represents the reception by Christ of His kingdom. The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called "the bride, the Lambs wife." Said the angel to John: "Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lambs wife." "He carried me away in the spirit," says the prophet, "and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God." Revelation 21:9, 10. Clearly, then, the bride represents the Holy City, and the virgins that go out to meet the bridegroom are a symbol of the church. In the Revelation the people of God are said to be the guests at the marriage supper. Revelation 19:9. If guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride. Christ, as stated by the prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of Days in heaven, "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom;" He will receive the New Jerusalem, the capital of His kingdom, "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." Daniel 7:14; Revelation 21:2. Having received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His people, who are to "sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob," at His table in His kingdom (Matthew 8:11; Luke 22:30), to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb. Great Controversy pgs 426-427
Depending on how one see's, understands, her words in the 1858 edition (Spiritual Gifts Vol 1) vs the later edition (G.C. 1911), I see harmony in both descriptions of these events.
The Lord Jesus has made His church the depositary of sacred truth. He has left with her the work of carrying out His purposes and His plans to save the souls for whom He has manifested such interest, such unmeasured love. Like the sun in relation to our world, He rises amid the moral darkness--the Sun of Righteousness. He said of Himself, "I am the light of the world." John 8:12. He said to his followers, "Ye are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14.... By reflecting the image of Jesus Christ, by the beauty and holiness of their characters, by their continual self-denial and their separation from all idols, large or small, they reveal that they have learned in the school of Christ. They are continually catching the spirit of love and forbearance, meekness, and gentleness, and they stand as representatives of Christ, a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.... {OHC 247.3}
Daniel 7:13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before Him. 14 And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
The Ancient of days is Christs Father, in the literal Heaven, the location of Gods throne. His Son comes into His presence, in 1844, and at this time He is given dominion, glory and a kingdom by His Father. The coming to His Father in heaven, verse 13, is a separate and distinct event from Christs return to earth. Christ actually receives His kingdom, the city of the New Jerusalem, at the close of His priestly work in the sanctuary, which ends the currently ongoing heavenly sanctuary Day of Atonement. See Luke 19:10-12 for more on the reception of His kingdom.
The people and nations that shall serve Him are the redeemed, Revelation 21:24. He will find those who truly love and honor Him with joy and gladness and they shall inherit the kingdom along with Christ. The New Jerusalem is the bride, the Church (His people) are co-heirs with Jesus. In the parable of the Ten Virgins, these are the guests at the wedding. The Day of Atonement examination is to determine who has on the wedding garment, whose characters are found to be like His and thus who will be allowed into the kingdom before the door is forever shut.
The above comments were authored by Studies Prophecy, the events noted and the sequence thereof, are from the Great Controversy.
