We see, therefore, that the sixth day, the day of image and union, is the period of atonement, of the reconciling of man to God, of the marriage of the Lamb. Because of the work performed during the thousand-year Kingdom Age, the Bride now is prepared and adorned for her Husband (Revelation 21:2). She is not ready until this time, except that a firstfruits of the Bride will be ready at the beginning of the day of image and union.

All Israel now is prepared to appear in a glorified state as the Wife of the Lamb, the center of government of the Kingdom of God.

The two witnesses at the end of the Kingdom Age are God, the one Witness, and the Lamb and the firstfruits of His Bride, the second Witness. The Lamb and the firstfruits of His Bride, who together compose the "camp of the saints," will give their testimony on the earth just before God sends fire down on the rebellious nations. These two witnesses will prepare mankind for the seventh day, the day of rest—the new heaven and earth reign of Christ.

There are many startling passages in the Word of God. But Revelation 20:7-9 certainly must rank with the most extraordinary of those statements.

To think that the peoples of the earth, having been ruled for a period of one thousand years by Christ and by the saints in whom Christ is dwelling, still could be deceived into making war against the King and His army! Incredible! Surely, man is filled with a nearly incurable rebellion against his Maker.

The termination of the day of image and union in chaos and war marks the conclusion of the physical universe. God's plan has been carried out to perfection and the material creation now is tossed aside as a soiled garment.

Christ speaks the word. The earth and the firmament vanish in a galactic explosion.

Then Christ speaks again. There comes into being a new heaven and a new earth. His Wife, the elect angels, and the saved of mankind behold from their various positions in the spirit realm what Christ has created.

To the astonishment and unparalleled delight of the saints, the holy angels, and the saved of mankind, they find themselves gazing on a new heaven and a new earth so much larger, so much more glorious, than the old heaven and earth that even their redeemed and expanded consciousness is not able to comprehend the dazzling beauty of the new universe.

Then the Lord Jesus will turn and look at the face of His Bride to see if she is pleased with what He has spoken into being.

Now the new earth is ready for the eternal ministry of God and His Christ, His eternal Tabernacle. God's Tabernacle, His house, is the Lord Jesus plus those who have become one with Him.

The nations of saved peoples of the earth stare in amazement at the most glorious spectacle of all. Down from the new heaven is descending the Father's house, which is the Lamb and His Wife. She is His glory. Her beauty and radiance illumine the new earth. God the Father is moving from Heaven to the earth, there to dwell among His beloved creatures forever.

To be continued.