We are joined together with the Lord Jesus.

Why all these powerful voices? What is the occasion for the ascribing of glory to the Lord God of Heaven?

The marriage of the Lamb has come. His Wife has prepared herself. His Wife is clothed in immortal righteousness.

As far as the Lord Jesus Christ is concerned, this is the greatest of all moments. To Him, this is a greater event than His resurrection from the dead because it gives meaning to His life. Apart from His Wife the creation is meaningless.

There are multitudes of people who will be saved and live in the new world that is coming. There is only one Wife—she who has been redeemed from among the peoples of the earth as a firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. The love of Christ for her is very intense.

The Lamb has given His flesh and blood for her forgiveness and transformation and has worked patiently, according to the wisdom and power of the Father, to create her after the desire of His heart. He lives in her and she lives in and by Him.

One day He will have her by His side where He can see her and speak to her. Jesus has given His glory to her and wants the creation to know that she is of His Life, Substance, and Nature. She reveals His Personality, being one with Him in every element of her being.

The Lamb has surrendered His individuality in favor of being one with her, and she has surrendered her individuality in favor of being one with Him.

The Lamb has never before been married and no doubt never again will be in the future. The marriage of the Lamb is a unique event in eternity and is one of the major purposes for the creation of the universe.

Human marriage is a shadow of this stupendous event. God has brought forth on the body and blood of Christ a completion, a counterpart of Christ. God loves her as He loves Christ. She shines as He shines, being covered with His glory. She is His body, His fullness.

The marriage of the Lamb is the beginning of history; for all that has gone before is perishing and soon will be discarded.

The Song of Solomon speaks of two different kings and two different sets of "Israelites."

The one king is Solomon. The daughters of Jerusalem adore and follow him. Solomon represents the pomp and finery of the Judaic-Christian religion, while the daughters of Jerusalem portray the worshipers who participate in the life and culture of the temples, synagogues, and churches.

The other king is not named but is referred to as the "beloved." The shepherdess adores and follows him. The shepherdess portrays the often-despised remnant, the members of the true Bride who attempt to pursue their beloved amid the clamor and confusion of church life and programs. Their King, their Beloved, is the Lord Jesus. They are not satisfied with "Solomon," with the elevation of men to power in the ecclesiastical systems.

They are not married to the churches, they are married to the Lord Jesus.

To be continued.