the world, she has been driven into the wilderness, while a corrupt and drunken prostitute and her harlot daughters have been in the public view.  Now, however, the judgments of God have descended upon Babylon, and the bride of Christ appears in all her beauty again, “arrayed in fine linen, clean and white”; and the next great event is her public marriage to Christ when he comes to claim her as his own.

The marriage scene is one of the most joyful that we witness on earth, and among Eastern nations especially was celebrated with great pomp and magnificence, the joy and splendor of the occasion being enhanced according to the rank and wealth of the parties.  But earth has never witnessed such an event as this special marriage of the Lamb.  Well may the inhabitants of heaven and earth, in view of this sublime spectacle, swell the song of praise—­“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him:  for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.”  The special preparations that the bride is making represents the glorious holiness reformation that is now sweeping over the world, gathering God’s people together for the splendid event.  “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

“These are the true sayings of God.”  They are almost too glorious to be believed; still, they are no idle dreams of fancy:  they are true, yea “the true sayings of God.”  In the contemplation of such a wonderful event, the beloved apostle was carried away, as it were, with holy enthusiasm, and he fell at the feet of the angel to worship.  We do not know just what the motives or impressions were that caused him to do this.  But his soul was full, full to overflowing, and he could not but adore and worship.  The angel, however, refused the homage thus offered, by the declaration that he himself, also, was the servant of Christ and one of the brethren that had the testimony of Jesus; “for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”  The idea is:  “I am a fellowservant with you, and we both have his testimony.  You bear witness to him now in this present generation; I bear witness to those who are to come.  You witness now of his death and resurrection; I tell of his future glory and triumphs.  We are both, therefore, engaged in the same good work.  The testimony of Jesus and the spirit of prophecy are the same.  To God, therefore, we must both bow.”  See remarks on chap. 1:1.

    11.  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he
    that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in
    righteousness he doth judge and make war.

    12.  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were
    many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he
    himself.

    13.  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:  and his
    name is called The Word of God.

    14.  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white
    horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.