* A. S. Peake, Christianity : Its Nature and Its Truth, 297.
* John Ker, Thoughts for Heart and Life, 171.
REVELATION xiv. 13 255
thing to this effect : — * Doubtless there are references to the doctrine of immortality in the Old Testament, as was so well put before you in the forenoon. But just as he whose death we are this day remembering with sorrow, found embedded in the caverns of the earth the dark substance by which he has illuminated the homes of rich and poor in many lands, so did Christ bring to light the doctrine of a future life. The shale was in the earth long before, but it was Dr. Young who revealed its illuminating power. Even so the doctrine of immortality, embedded in Old Testament passages, was practically unrevealed until He came who brought life and immortality to light.'
"I can give you no idea of the beautiful touches by which Dr. Kobertson wrought out the thought I have only indicated ; but so skilfully was it done that I think no one in the church ever dreamt of anything but completest harmony between the two preachers." ^
* James Brown, Life of William B. Robertson, 428.
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
REV. 17
Literature.
Alexander (S. A.), The Saints^ Appeal, 1.
Banks (L. A.), John and his Friends, 273.
Gibson (E. C. S.), The Revelation of St. John the Divine, 217.
Gordon (A. J.), Ecce Venit, 249.
Howard (H.), The Raiment of the Soul, 1.
Kelman (J.), Redeeming Judgment, 182.
Maurice (F. D.), The Apocalypse, 365.
Milligan (W.), The Book of Revelation (Expositor's Bible), 321.
„ „ in Popular Commentary on the New Testament, iv. 478.
Moberly (G.), Plain Sermons, 292. Nicoll (W. R), The Lamb of God, 91. Kossetti (C. G.), The Face of the Deep, 437. Smith (J. D.), The Brides of Scripture, 132. Spurgeon (C. H.), My Sermon Notes : Romans to Revelation, 395. Strange (C), Instructions on the Revelation, 270. Vaughan (J.), Sermons (Brighton Pulpit), i. (1860), No. 264. Waddell (R.), Behold the Lamh of God! 261. Christian World Pulpit, Ixiv. 59 (A. J. Mason) ; Ixxxiii. 237 (H. H.
Currie). Church of England Magazine, liii. 256 (R. Thursfield); liv. 256 (T.
Preston). Church of England Pulpit, Ivi. 122 (A. J. Mason).
•58
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Blessed are they which are bidden to the marriage supper of the Lamb. —Rev. xix. 9.
1. With the beginning of this chapter we enter upon the fifth great section of the Apocalypse, which extends to chap. xx. 6. The object of the section is to bring before us the triumph and rest of the faithful disciples of Jesus after their conflict is over. They have had to contend alike with the world and with the degenerate Church. They have been separated from both ; and both have fallen. There is no more struggle for them now. The first notice of this happy state is presented in the song of thanks- giving over the destruction of Babylon, sung by the heavenly hosts and by the redeemed from among men.
The song is new, celebrating, not merely judgment on foes, but the full taking possession of His Kingdom by the Lord. Up to this time the actual marriage of the Redeemer to His people has not taken place. The two parties have only been betrothed to one another. At length the hour has come when the marriage shall be completed, the Lord Himself being manifested in glory and His bride along with Him. The Lamb is come to claim His bride, and " his wife hath made herself ready." Through storm and calm, through sorrow and joy, through darkness and light, she has waited for Him, crying ever and again, " Come quickly." At last He comes, and the marriage and the marriage supper are to take place.
2. Such is the moment that has now arrived, and the bride is
ready for it. Her raiment is wortliy of our notice. It is " fine
linen, bright and pure " ; and then it is immediately added " for
the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints." These acts are
not the imputed righteousness of Christ, although only in Christ
are the acts performed. They express the moral and religious con-
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26o MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB
dition of those who constitute the bride. No outward righteous- ness alone, with which we might be clothed as with a garment, is a sufficient preparation for future blessedness. An inward change is necessary, a personal and spiritual meetness for the inheritance of the saints in light.
Thus " made ready," the bride now enters with the Bridegroom to the marriage feast; and, as the whole of her future rises before the view of the heavenly visitant who converses with the Seer, he says to him, " Write, Blessed are they which are bidden to the marriage supper of the Lamb." Once before, St. John had heard a similar, perhaps the same. Voice from heaven, saying, " Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth." Then we believed; now we see. The clouds are dispelled; the veil is rent asunder ; we enter into the palace of the great King. There is music, and festivity, and joy. There is neither sin nor sorrow, no privilege abused, no cloud upon any countenance, no burden upon any heart, no shadow from the future to darken the rapture of the present. Here is life, and life abundantly; the peace that passeth understanding; the joy unspeakable and glorified ; the inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading.