The Lamb’s Wife has Made Herself Ready
Revelation 17–18 present the judgment on Babylon. In contrast, Revelation 21–22 shows a wonderful picture of New Jerusalem.
Revelation 19:7 is an early word about New Jerusalem, “the marriage of the Lamb [Jesus Christ] has come, and His wife [New Jerusalem] has made herself ready.”
Because before Him the overcomers represent the bride and because this group of people is ready in His sight, God is able to declare that the marriage of the Lamb has come and His wife has made herself ready. However, the “has come” is fully realized in the new heaven and the new earth. In Revelation 21:2, John actually saw the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of heaven. At that time the bride was truly ready in every sense. This is not merely the readiness declared in chapter nineteen, but the readiness in actual fact.*
All God’s judgments were completed in Revelation 20, so chapter 21 begins with “a new heaven and a new earth.” This is a new beginning of a new creation, a creation that is pure, without sin or corruption of any kind, without death, and without the devil. The old creation has passed away.
Verse 21:4 tells us that God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death will be no more, nor will there be sorrow or crying or pain anymore; for the former things have passed away.” This blessing is not only within New Jerusalem but also for the nations that live around the city.
* From chapter 5 of The Glorious Church by Watchman Nee, published and © by Living Stream Ministry, available at www.ministrybooks.org/ and www.livingstream.com/en/the-church/8012401-glorious-church-the.html.
Posted by Don on April 25, 2022
