AT A MARRIAGE MEETING
AT A MARRIAGE MEETING
Deuteronomy 16: 3; Numbers 29: 12 - 16; John 7: 37; Revelation 21: 10, 11; Revelation 22:1 - 3
Blessing can only be in connection with God’s throne; man is all upside down and withered under the curse.
The tabernacle (dwelling) is not yet fulfilled. God’s purpose will be accomplished in a vessel, viz., new Jerusalem. Rejoicings come after the accomplishment of God’s ways, then His purposes get fulfilled. Mysteries are connected with His ways; when these have come to an issue, then He displays purpose in a vessel. The harvest is all for God, the vintage is vengeance.
In Numbers, in connection with the burnt-offering, you get the extra day — the eighth, the heavenly. The kid of the goats for a sin-offering shows it will not yet be a perfect state. Joy is in the connection of heaven and earth.
The bride is of Him and expresses Him. The wife is declared relationship, celebrated and owned. Purposes are accomplished in the New Jerusalem; God’s throne is there, God’s sway in righteousness a sine qua non — no temple, tree of life and river of life.
The sway of man brings in infidelity and darkness; the city has the glory of God, i.e., perfect conciliation of righteousness and love. Measured by the reed, it [p. 265] answers to all the requirements, and all is precious stones — reflected light. A reflex of the cross, the medium is the Lamb; it has the gain of all the names of God.
Testimony was given to purpose when Christ was here (the church has no inherent value). Christ being rejected personally — now the purpose is fulfilled in the church.
| In Christ | In the city | |
| Reigning: | Matthew 2. | Nations and those that enter the city. |
| Dwelling: | ‘Emmanuel’ — a river from His lips — words ‘spirit’ and ‘life’. | River from throne. |
| Blessing: | Works of blessing, goodness and power. | Source of blessing for man. |
Saints are now here in Christ’s place — the christian is a continuation of Christ; the time of display is not yet because the vessel is not complete yet. We are now in the place of testimony that God’s purposes are accomplished in Christ.. .. He is glorified (rule, kingdom subsists), the Spirit is here (dwelling), and the water flows through the saints (blessing). It is all witnessed to by what we are.
The kingdom is the celebration of righteousness — God’s delight in what was accomplished at the cross. Jesus is glorified — resurrection is a testimony to righteousness. The Spirit is here and brings us into the joy of the kingdom, not merely into subjection. The Spilt establishes unity here — flesh hinders it, also worldly ways. “Out of his belly”, because all is enjoyed inwardly. Speak the truth, i.e., the revelation of God and of His will.
Watford, May 18th, 1898.