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THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY COME

 

We read in Zephaniah 1:7 these prophetic words: "Hold your peace at the presence of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is at hand: for the Lord has prepared a sacrifice, and has bid his guests.” In the scriptures we read that a day is with the Lord as a thousand years (Ps. 90:4, II Pet. 3:8). Therefore that which is spoken of as the "Day of the Lord" in so many prophetic scriptures, must be understood in terms of God's reckoning of time from His perspective. This means that His "day" is the great 1000-year millennial Sabbath following man's six days (6,000 years) of labor in the sweat of his brow and in fruitless toil to bring forth a lasting peace and a just and equitable order on the earth. Therefore the Lord has decreed that He will fully take over the affairs of the earth and no longer let man pollute and destroy.  A reign in righteousness will begin when His Day is fully inaugurated.

 

The "Day of the Lord" does not burst on us all of a sudden. It begins or dawns gradually.  This can be seen from either of two perspectives. It can be seen in the natural phenomenon of a new day as it is brought about by the turn­ing of the earth and the gradual increase of the light of the sun in a particular spot or area. Long before the sun actually appears over the horizon, there is the dawning of light and its increasing brightness.

 

The gradual unfolding of the "Day of the Lord" can also be seen from the perspective of the beginning of a new 24 hour day as it was reckoned by the people of Israel in the days of our Lord. Their new day began at sunset and progressed through the four "watches" of the first twelve hours from 6:00 P.M. to 6:00 A.M. This latter perspective is that which we will present in this writing. Already we are in the initial "watch" of the Day of the Lord, as we shall see later in this prophetic picture. But first, we shall consider some other important factors which are basic to our understanding of this picture.

 

 

[scriptural differentiations between the Bridal rapture and the later Marriage Supper rapture]  

 

Now going back to the scripture that introduced this writing. Notice the reference to the presence of the Lord and the sacrifice which he has prepared, to which He has "bid" His guests. Check the marginal reading for the word "bid," and you will find that the original Hebrew word means to be "sanctified" or "prepared". It can also be translated to be "set apart." Now there is a two-fold setting apart; for there is a two-fold sacrifice or feast that is being prepared: the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9), and the supper of the great God (Rev. 19:17). The one is to be the result of his grace extended, and the other the result of His wrath poured out. The one is for the redeemed and glorified, and the other is for the refuse of the earth. One is to prepare for the inauguration of a righteous rule and government on the earth; the other is to sweep away man's refuge of lies. The guests for each are now being set apart.

 

Turn now to Rev. 22:17 and read this invitation. "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Notice that it is the Spirit AND the bride issuing the invitation to come. Now compare this with Rev. 19:9 where we read: "Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb." WHO does the calling? Is a bride called or invited to her own wedding? Ridiculous! She does the inviting; and this is what Rev. 22:17 says. Therefore by the time the invitation of Rev. 19:9 is fully issued, the bride will have been united with her Lord in the heavenlies in order that the Spirit and the bride may say come. Now when does this take place?

 

It has already been shown in a number of prophecies and writings through this ministry that the 144,000 firstfruits are to be united with the Lord with glorified bodies at the beginning of the tribulation as the seventh trumpet begins to sound (Rev. 10:7). This is because they have been prepared ahead of time and are first (firstfruits) to enter into the glories of the heavenly realm. This is in harmony with Rev. 19:7: "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready.” There is a difference between the marriage and the marriage supper. The supper is for the guests who are invited after the bride has been joined with her husband, although this feast is also a part of the marriage festivities. Now since the bride will have made herself ready first, she is to be joined to her husband at the beginning of the tribulation as the seventh trumpet sounds its initial blast. Then she will be able to help prepare those who are to be the guests at the marriage supper which takes place when the great host of saints are taken at the close of the tribulation. This she will be able to do because each of the 144,000 firstfruits Bride company will have the power to appear to the saints on the earth during the time of tribulation. These spirit-fortified saints will then be issuing the call to many during the tribulation to "take of the water of life freely." There­fore it is during the 3-1/2 years of tribulation that the Bride is busily engaged in issuing the invitation to "come," for she desires that her marriage supper be a bounteous occasion with many guests in attendance.

 

Since the Bride is made ready first, symbolized by her being the firstfruits to the Lamb (Rev. 14:4), she is also pictured in Revelation, Chapter 12, as being "born" out of the earthly church organism first, and being "caught up" to the throne (Rev. 12:1--2, 5). The "woman clothed with the sun" of Rev. 12:1-2 is not a picture of the heavenly bride of Christ, but a picture of the present church organism on earth travailing to bring forth mature sons. The first of these mature sons to be glorified and "caught- up" will be that “body” or company which is to make up the heavenly bride of our Lord. The fact that the "woman" brings forth a "manchild" portrays the truth that those who are brought forth and caught up to the throne of God have come into that spiritual maturity of which the "manchild" is a type. What? Do you think that the very choicest of roles in the heavenly realm, that of the Lord's own "Bride" is to be made up of any but matured sons? These matured sons (including both males and females) who make up the Bride company shall watch over and prepare those on earth during the tribulation who are going to be received into the heavenlies and make up that vast host who are the guests at the marriage supper.

 

This is in harmony with Psalm 45 where we have a pic­ture of the King, and then the Queen "in gold (spiritual preparedness) of Ophir" (45:9), for she is "all glorious with­in: her clothing is of wrought gold." (45:13). Now notice others besides the queen in Verse 14: "She (the queen) shall be brought to the King in raiment of needlework: the vir­gins her companions that follow her shall be brought to you." Since they follow her, it would indicate that they arrive later. They are the "foolish virgins" of Matt. 25:1-12, who are left behind when the wise virgins (Bride) are taken at the midnight hour. But the picture in Psalm 45 shows that they shall also be brought to the King, although later: "With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they shall enter into the King's palace" (45-15). The palace is the inner realm of heaven where the marriage festivities will take place. But some may remark: "Doesn't it say in Matt. 25:10 that the door was shut to the foolish virgins?" True, they are barred from being taken with the wise virgins when they go in to the marriage, but when that great event occurs, there will yet be time for the foolish virgins to prove themselves that the Lord may know them (see Matt. 25:12 and compare with Deut. 8:2 for this use of the word "know").

 

Now turn to Luke 11:5-10. We read a parable that Jesus told, about a "friend" who seeks bread at midnight, but receives the answer from his would-be benefactor, "Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee." (11:7). This is a parallel to the parable of the virgins in Matt. 25. The door was shut, and the children (the wise virgins) were on the inside ("with me in bed"). The "friend" or "foolish virgin" was on the outside knocking even as in Matt. 25:11. Now notice Luke 11:8-9: "I say to you, though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs. And I say to you. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you." Here we have the assurance that during the tribulation (after the midnight hour) those who remain may receive that which they need in order to eventually have the door opened to them. The "friend" asked for three loaves (11:5) and is finally assured of as many loaves as he needs. (11:8). Presum­ably, since he asked for three loaves, he would get what he asked for. These three loaves correspond to the "asking", "seeking", and "knocking"; and it is not until the third loaf (the knocking) that the assurance is given that the door will be opened. The three loaves correspond to the 30, 60, and 100 fold groups of Christians. (Mark 4:20). It is only the third loaf, 100 fold, who will "knock" and have the door opened to enter into the marriage supper of the Lamb in the "palace" of heaven. The 30 fold and 60 fold will remain on the earth to enter into the earth-based Kingdom.

 

Only the 100 fold, full grain in the ear (Mark 4:28) Christian, will have the wedding garment necessary for the wedding supper. Notice Jesus' parable recorded in Matt. 22:1-14, where a certain "friend" is symbolically expelled from the guests assembled for the wedding feast because he did not have on the specified wedding garment (22:12-13). Such will be the fate of many who are content to secure less than the three loaves necessary for entrance into the heavenly feast. The "garment" is the same as that which is indicated in Rev. 19:9; it is the "fine linen" of righteousness. Think not that the imputed righteousness of Christ is sufficient. This only introduces one into the 30 fold estate. The righteousness of Christ must also be imparted within (the 60 fold), and then fully integrated into the fabric of the soul, being "woven" by the working of the Word and the Spirit, until a beautiful garment (character) is the result. This is possible only through the Spirit-sanctified estate of the 100 fold, who have the extra oil in their vessels.

 

A further indication that those who are left when the first-fruits Bride is taken will have the opportunity to be made ready is found in Luke 12:35-36. "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And you yourselves like to men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately.” Since the wise virgins (Bride company) go in to the marriage when the Bridegroom comes at the midnight hour (Matt. 25:10), the ones mentioned in Luke 12:36 are those left behind (foolish virgins) who must wait for their Lord to return from the wedding. But when does He return, and what is the meaning of the statement: "that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately?" (Luke 12:36). We have already seen the fool­ish virgins knocking and being refused admittance to the marriage (Matt. 25:10-12), but we have also seen these same ones represented by the "friend" in Luke 11:5-9 knocking after the children (wise virgins) are on the inside, and re­ceiving three loaves (entering the 100 fold estate through the Holy Spirit baptism); so we know that though the foolish virgins were left behind, they did go and "buy oil" (the Holy Spirit) for their lamps and their vessels (Matt. 25:9). But what then? Read Luke 12:35-36 again. "Let your loins be girded about and your lights burning." This would indicate that oil had been secured. Then the instruction is to wait (in expectancy) for the Lord to return from the wedding.

 

Here is a mystery that needs to be unveiled. Shortly after the Bride company has been received of the Lord and joined in nuptial joy with Him in the heavenly realms, both the Lord Himself and the glorified saints will begin to appear to those left behind. The pattern for this was set by Jesus after he was raised from the dead. He first ascended to the Father and then returned, appearing to the disciples and be­ing seen of them for a period of 40 days (Acts 1:3). Even so will it be in the end time. After the firstfruits Bride is trans­lated (corresponding in the pattern to the resurrection of Christ), they shall ascend to meet the Lord in the upper strato­sphere; then within a few days, they shall return from the wedding to fulfill their duties throughout the tribulation period. Now we can understand Luke 12:36. Those left be­hind are to wait for the appearance of the Lord and the glori­fied saints, who will be able to materialize their bodies and visit those left. Such visitations will be the fulfillment of the Lord (or members of His Bride) coming and "knocking" (Luke 12:36), and the expectancy of the waiting ones is to be such that they will "open to him immediately" (Luke 12:36), Such visitations will also be a fulfillment of Rev. 3:20, where Jesus is pictured as "knocking" during the closing years of the Laodicean era. Thus throughout the entire period of the tribulation, the Lord and the glorified members of His Bride will continue to appear to those who are waiting, expecting and "opening the door." In the scriptures, forty is the number of testing. Even so, Jesus' appearance to the disciples for 40 days following His resurrection sets the pattern for the end-time appearance of Jesus and the Bridal company of 144,000 glorified saints during the testing period of the entire tribulation.

 

 

[the four watches]

 

The Lord Jesus emphasized repeatedly the necessity of "watching" relative to His coming again. Notice His words in Mark 13:33-37: "Take [ ] heed, watch and pray: for you know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch [ ] therefore: for you know not when the master of the house comes, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming sud­denly he find you sleeping. And what I say to you I say to all. Watch." The admonition to "watch" is intimately linked with the references to the "watches" of the night as they were designated at that time under the Roman rule. The first watch referred to as "at even" was from six to nine; the second watch was from nine to twelve and was called the "midnight" watch; the third watch from twelve to three was designated the "cockcrowing" watch; and the fourth watch from three to six is spoken of as "in the morning".

 

 

[the first watch]

 

Although Jesus was emphasizing the uncertainty of the exact time of His coming. He was also giving a veiled in­sight into the various phases of His end-time coming. Actu­ally there is a phase or episode of His coming that is fulfilled in each of the four watches mentioned. According to the Jewish reckoning of time, a new day of twenty four hours always began "at even" with the setting of the sun. Thus a "new day" begins with the setting in of darkness. However, "darkness" is always associated with the world and not with Christ and Christians. This is pointed out by Paul in I Thess. 5:5-6: "You are all children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. There­fore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." In those days people generally did very little after sunset and with darkness setting in they went to bed and to sleep, rising early in the morning with the rising of the sun. But notice that Paul says "Let us not sleep, as do others (the world); but let us watch". Here we have an enigma which can only be solved as we realize the difference between Christians and the world. Christians are "the children of light, and the children of the day" and "not of the night, nor of darkness.” Therefore when Jesus speaks of His coming first "at even," He is referring to that end-time period when a new day is beginning; to the world it means the setting in of increased darkness, but to those who are ''watching," this first watch of the new day means an increase of spiritual light or truth; it is his coming in a further revelation of Him­self to give light (understanding) to His intimate followers.

 

But it is a "new day" only to those who are "watching,” to those who are not sleeping as is the world. We are now witnessing the "coming" of the Lord ''at even"—in the first watch of the new day. Never before since the days of the apostles in the first century has there been such an increase in spiritual light and understanding as in our day. To those who are not asleep but are watching, the Spirit of the Lord is speaking, "Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you." (Isa. 60:1). But notice the very next verse. It shows the contrast between that which is taking place among the "watching "ones in the first watch, and that which is overtaking the world. “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross dark­ness the people: but the Lord shall arise on you, and his glory shall be seen upon you.” (Isa. 60:2). Thus the Lord is coming (in the power of His Spirit) to bring light and glory to His people. We are now in the inception period of this coming; "at even", or in the first watch of the new day.

 

 

[the second watch]

 

Turning back to Mark 13:35, we notice that Jesus also warned that as the Master of His house He would also come "at midnight." Midnight concludes the second watch of the night; but as we have already seen, since the Hebrew day began at sunset, it is actually the second period of a new day. We must keep in mind the double significance of the prophetic picture. To most of the world the "day of the Lord" is a period of increasing darkness. (See Joel 2:1-2, Zeph. 1:15). But to God's called out remnant who are "watching" and are not of the night, nor of the darkness, and who are not asleep, it is a time of increasing light. Concerning the Lord's coming "at midnight," we read in Matt, 25:6, "And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes." The "wise virgins" were taken into the marriage, and the "foolish virgins" were left. This coming at midnight is referred to elsewhere as Jesus' coming "as a thief." Notice Rev. 3:3, "If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come on you.” Notice the warning of being unprepared as were the foolish virgins. The same warning note is sounded in Rev. 16:15, "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watches, and keeps his gar­ments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." A thief, when he breaks in to take something, does not announce his coming, and the only evidence that he has "visited" is that something is missing. He comes "at an hour when you think not" (Luke 12:40). He comes to "make up His jewels" (Mal. 3:17). These "jewels" are the 144,000 firstfruits who are virgins (wise virgins) and who are "redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb" (Rev. 14:4). They will be translated at the beginning of the tribu­lation period, for they are "accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man" (Luke 21:36). Concerning these "jewels" the Lord says, "I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him." (Mal. 3:17). Since they have a ministry to fulfill on the earth during the tribulation, the Lord speaks further, "Then shall you return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves him not." (Mal. 3:18). Concerning the "thief-like" coming of Jesus we read in Matt. 24:43, "But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken up" (or "through"--see Luke 12:39. The "house" referred to is the church, which is the "household of God" (Ephes. 2:19). This is the "price" he exacts of a careless household which is not "watching" and not ready. He "breaks through" and takes the wise virgins, for "they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage" (Matt. 25:10). This is in harmony with Rev. 19:7 which says "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready."

 

 

[the third watch]

 

Again going back to Mark 13:35 we see a further com­ing of the Lord “at the cockcrowing." "The cockcrowing" ends the third watch, which was from midnight to three. It was undoubtedly during this very watch that Peter denied his Lord. Previously, as they went out into the Mount of Olives following the Passover supper together, Jesus had said to Peter, "Verily I say to you, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, you shall deny me thrice." (Mark 14:30). It happened even as Jesus had spoken (see Mark 14:66-72). Thus, in the scriptures, "the cockcrowing" is prophetically connected with Peter's denial. What does this show us? It shows us that those who are not taken at the midnight hour, and are left to go through the tribulation period, have at some time and in some measure denied their Lord. The tribulation is therefore to test them and prove them that the Lord might know them, and that they might be made ready to be called to the marriage supper. When the Lord comes "at the cockcrowing," it is for all those who have been made ready during the tribulation, both the "foolish virgins" and what might be called the "tribulation saints" (those who have come to know the Lord during the tribula­tion period and have had sufficient time to develop from a "blade" to a "full corn in the ear" Christian). (Mark 4:28). Even as in the natural, the crowing of the cock awakens those who are sleeping, so will it be when Jesus comes "at the cockcrowing;" those who are "asleep in Jesus" will be raised. Immediately following, the saints who are alive shall be "caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air." (I Thess. 4:13-17).

 

This coming of Jesus "at the cockcrowing" immediately follows the tribulation period, for it is "in those days, after that tribulation" that He shall "send his angels, and shall gather together his elect" (see Mark 13:24-27). A more detailed picture of the order of events "in those days, after that tribulation" is given in the book of Revelation. Just before the seven vials of wrath are poured out on the earth (see Rev. Chapter 16), the elect saints are united with the Lord and begin their ascent toward the temple in heaven. This is pictured in Rev. 14:14-16 by one "like to the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle." By this sharp sickle He reaps the "harvest of the earth," gathering the ripened grain into the "barn" of His heavenly kingdom, for "then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father" (see Matt. 13:30, 43). These glorified saints are seen in Rev., Chap­ter 15, after their gathering to the Lord, singing a song of victory and deliverance (15:2-4). Immediately following the reaping (gathering) of the elect saints, we read in Rev. 14:17-19 of an angel with another sharp sickle with the com­mand to "gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are ripe." The sickle is thrust in to gather the vine of the earth and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. This "wrath of God" is the result of the seven "vials of wrath" being poured out on the earth (see Rev. 15:1,7; 16:1). Not until these vials of wrath begin to be poured out on the earth, do the saints who have been translated and gathered to Jesus enter into the temple in heaven to share in the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Rev. 15:8).

 

At the same time the saints are participating in the marriage supper of the Lamb in the temple in heaven, there is an invitation going forth for another supper which is tak­ing place on the earth. We read in Rev. 19:17 these words; "And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven (Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great." There are two kinds of guests at this supper: the thousands of humans who are to be slain in the outpouring of the vials of wrath, and the fowls of the air who will eat their fill of the flesh of the dead. The marriage festivities in heaven will come to an end just before the final vial of wrath is poured out on the earth. Then down to earth will descend the Lord Jesus, followed by the multitude of saints "on white horses, clo­thed in fine linen, white and clean" (see Rev. 19:11-14).

 

 

[the fourth watch]

 

Now we are ready for the final phase of the "coming" of the Lord as it is symbolized by the "watches" as recorded in Mark 13:35. The final watch, which was from three to six, is referred to by Jesus as "in the morning." This is when the Lord "comes with ten thousands of his saints" (Jude 14). He arrives just as the final vial of wrath is poured out, for "he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" (Rev. 19:15). He is revealed from heaven "in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ." (II Thess. 1:8). This is when He comes "with power and great glory," being seen by those on earth who have survived the atomic holocaust which rages throughout the seven vials of wrath. What the inhabitants of the earth will actually see first is the "sign" of the Son of man in heaven (Matt. 24:30). This is the "glory cloud" which will begin to be seen when He gathers His elect just before the final vials of wrath. It will be this supernatural light appearing in the sky that will cause the "tribes of the earth" to mourn. Finally they shall see the Son of man coming "in the clouds of heaven" with power and great glory (Matt. 24:30). The "clouds" which surround Him as He appears are the hosts of the redeemed and glorified saints. Matt. 24:31, rather than giving an account of something following His appearing in power and glory, is an explanatory detail encompassed within the over­all picture of His glorious return, to show the meaning of the "clouds" which accompany Him. The clouds are the "elect" who will have been gathered previously and who appear with Him in His manifestation of great glory.

 

 

[summary]

 

Now let us summarize. We are to be watching for His coming. But before we fully know how to "watch," we must understand the different phases of His coming as portrayed by Jesus in Mark 13:35. Right now He is coming "at even," the beginning of the Day of the Lord, and we are watching for and are even now participating in a greater revelation of Himself as He comes in the power of His Spirit to give light and understanding of His end-time purposes for His Church. He is now visiting His temple in a time of quickening, cleans­ing, restoration, and preparation for a second Pentecost and a mighty world-wide outpouring of the Holy Spirit such as the world has never seen. This preparatory move of the Spirit is to make ready a people who shall be used mightily in the time of tribulation which is coming, and who will be an in­strument in the hand of the Lord to reap a great harvest throughout the earth. Are you "watching" daily that He might give you greater light and understanding, moving with the Spirit into that which He has purposed for this end time?

 

Are you also watching for His coming "at midnight?" Is the "lamp" of His word burning brightly? Do you have extra oil in your vessel, that you might have the "spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him?" (Ephes. 1:17). Is that oil of His Spirit in sufficient supply that the love of God may be shed abroad in your heart? (Rom. 5:5). Do you know the "love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God?" (Ephes. 3:19). You see, beloved, there is a lot more to having extra oil them claiming to have had an experience. The 144,000 Bride company which shall be received of the Bridegroom at the midnight hour are those who "follow the Lamb wherever he goes" (Rev. 14:4). Are you hearing His voice and following Him in everything? Whether you qualify for the Bride or not, it is important for you to be as ready as possible To receive the mighty outpouring of the Spirit which is to follow shortly after the Bride is translated, for it will come upon a prepared people; a people who will be used mightily by the Lord during the harvest days of the tribulation period. And in that day, if you are not taken as a part of the Bride, then quickly "watch" for the secret appearance of the Lord or one of his glorified saints, even as the Lord appeared to His disciples in the upper room after His resurrection (Luke 24:36), or to the two who walked on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-31), or to others in that day. Yes, "let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and you yourselves like to men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he comes and knocks, they may open to him immediately" (Luke 12:35-36). Since those who are glorified do not need doors to be opened to them (see John 20:19), the "knocking'' and the "opening" is a spiritual readiness to receive, even to those who are "watch­ing."

 

After the mighty and glorious ministry of the saints on the earth during the tribulation, then there must be a readi­ness and "watching" for Jesus' coming "at the cockcrowing." For that is when all those truly sanctified will be changed and "caught up" to be with the Lord (I Cor. 15:51-54), I Thess. 4:14-17). Then, after the marriage supper in hea­ven, the Lord will return with all of His saints to rule and reign on the earth. This is His coming "in the morning" in power and great glory. "So now, my people, is the time to hear the voice of your God and prepare. The Spirit is saying 'come,' for the hour is late and my people are so woefully unprepared for that which is soon to unfold. There is much for my people to enter into before the Bride is taken. It is now the Spirit who says ‘come;’ in this new day of the Lord's visitation and unveiling to His people. But in time it will be Spirit and the Bride who will say ‘come;’ for saints in glorified power will be working diligently with saints yet in earthly vesture to secure an abundant gathering to the Lord, for the day of nuptial festivities will be drawing near and garments of beauty and glory must be donned by all who would enter therein."

 

[Next:  THE NEW JERUSALEM  ]

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