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We are left with this present age in which the Body of Christ predominates. It seems evident that not every
believer today has the necessary `enlightened eyes' and imparted knowledge by the Holy Spirit as taught in
Ephesians 1:15-23 and not having this, they do not understand what the dispensation of the Mystery involves and so
how can they live and witness for it? And yet this is what God calls every true member of the Body to do, as Paul's
Prison Epistles declare and emphasize.
It would seem that such believers will have a glorious part in this wedding scene as guests, being linked with the
earthly kingdom and sharing with the people of Israel. This hope will be perpetuated in the New Earth eternally.
The Lord revealed in His earthly ministry that He had `other sheep' which did not belong to the flock of Israel, who
are usually designated as the `sheep' (Psa. 79:13; 95:7; Ezek. 34:6,11,12) but not always so for the Lord also used
this figure of Gentile nations (Matt. 25:31-33). The `other sheep' the Lord declared He will finally unite with Israel
(the sheep of the O.T.) to become one flock (not `fold' as A.V. John 10:16) and this will surely be in the Millennium
during Christ's reign over the earth with all its abundant blessings and then it will be carried over into the new earth
for ever.
We can also consider John the Baptist as the `friend of the Bridegroom' or the best man (John 3:29) and the
virgins who may be bridesmaids for the Bridegroom's wedding (Matt. 25:1). For all we know, these represent other
parts of God's great redeemed family, but we do not wish to be dogmatic on this point. On the other hand we do not
want to spoil this great scene, by confusing and uniting what God, for the time being has kept apart. This, alas, is
too often done by evangelical interpreters.
There is one thing of which we can be absolutely sure, and that is, in the great kingdom of God, from the highest
heaven down to the lowest earth every redeemed child of God will be united in Christ and yet will have his place
and be entirely satisfied for eternity. Then, at long last, the perfection of God's original creation is restored when He
creates all things afresh, a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21:5) where sin and death are banished for ever and:
`God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying,
neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away' (Rev. 21:4).
Then will be joy unending; then will be perfect service, `His servants shall serve Him' (Rev. 22:3). Then the Lord
Jesus will have His rightful place and will manifestly be `All in all' and the great plan that was in the mind of God
when He first created, can go on unhindered. Surely then He will be satisfied (Isa. 53:11), and the great redemptive
purpose of the ages (Eph. 3:11), resting upon the offering of Himself on Calvary's cross as sin-bearer, will come to a
glorious conclusion.
Surely too we can join in the magnificent ascription of praise to Him, recorded in the Book of Revelation:
`Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power ... be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for
ever and ever' (5:13).
`Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for
ever and ever. Amen' (7:11,12).
`Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and
glory, and blessing' (5:12).
`CHRlST IS ALL' (Col. 3:11).
INDEX TO QUOTED SCRIPTURES
Genesis
Page Numbers Match Book Only
2 Samuel
103:19
3
1:26
1
7:12
20
132:11
90