Praise Jah for His Judgments! - The Lamb's Wife Prepared Herself

 So now, after almost 2,000 years, all 144,000 of the bride have made themselves ready.  But at what point of time may it be sid that 'the Lamb's wife has prepared herself'?  Progressively, from Pentecost 33 C.E. on, beliveing anointed ones "were sealed  with the promised  holy spirit," this in view of  coming "day of releasing by ransom."  As the apostle Paul expressed it, God "has put his seal upon us and has given us the token of what is to come, that is, the spirit, in our hearts." (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22)   Each anointed Christian is "called and chosen," and he has proved himself "faithful." - REVELATION 17:14.

After decades of testing, Paul himself could declare:  "I hav fought the fine fight, I have run to the course of the finish, I have observed the faith.  From this time on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me as a reward in that day, yet not only to me, but also to all those who have loved his manifestation."  (2 Timothy4:7, 8)   The apostle's sealing appears to have been complete, even though he was still in the flesh and would yet face martyrdom.  Similary, the time must come when all remaining ones on earth of the 144,000  will have been sealed indiviually  as belonging  to Jehovah.  ( 2 Timothy 2:19)   This will be when  the Lamb's wife will have fully prepared  herself-the great majority of the 144,000 having already received their heavenly reward and those still on earth having been finally approved and sealed as faithful ones.

At this point in Jehovah's timetable, when the sealing of the 144,000 has reached completion, the angels release the four winds of the great tribulation.  (Revelation 7:1-3)  First, judgment is executed on harlotlike Babylon the Great.  The victorious Christ next moves on quickly to Armageddon to destroy the rest of Satan's organization on earth and, finally, to abyss Satan and his demons.  (Revelation19:11-20:3)  If any anointed ones still survive on earth, they will doubtless ente into their heavenly reward soon after Christ completes his conquest and will join their fellow members of the bride class.  Then, at God's due time, the marriage of the Lamb can take place! 

The prophetic account in Psalm 45 describes the order of events.  First the enthroned King rides forth to the conquest of his enemies.  (Vereses 1-7)  Then the marriage is performed, the heavenly bride being attended on earth as her virgin companions, the great crowd.  (Verses 8-15)  Next the marriage becomes fruitful, with resurrected mankind being raise to perfection under oversight  of "princes in all the earth.: (Verses 16, 17) What glorious blessing accompany the marriage of the Lamb! 

Next time: Praise Jah for His Judgments! - Happy Are Those Invited

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