Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The account of the gathering
of a bride for Isaac has in it many types and foreshadows of
the gathering of the bride of Christ unto the marriage supper.
The elect church is spoken of in the scripture as his bride.
The servant sent to a far country is the Holy Spirit laden with
gifts and speaking to the children of God concerning the glories
which surround the Son. The camels which carried her
on her journey are ideally suited for travel across the barren
wasteland through which she was carried. A camel has an innate
sense of direction and is able to deliver its cargo to the desired
destination with no help from the rider, and so is typical
of the grace of God by and through which the sons of God are brought
to enjoy the benefits purchased by their Redeemer. Remember that
the expense and preparation of the camel train was completely
in the hands of Abraham, and no cost or effort was expended
by Rebekah as she was brought on this journey to see her bridegroom. John tells of seeing the bride
of Christ as a city coming down from heaven and adorned with
many splendors and precious in his sight. This is obviously
an illustration in highly figurative language of the final state of
his bride, but it is interesting to note that all of that in which
ye shall yet be seen has already begun. He said to his disciples,
and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and
receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also,
and whether I go ye know, and the way ye know. His bride is
already acquainted with the glory that shall be hers, because she
has already seen Him who is her glory and covering. For now we
see through a glass darkly, but then face to face. Now I know
in part, but then shall I know, even as I am known. We shall
see more clearly in the days to come, but we see Him now as
our Lord and King, and desire no other for our husband. The
true sons of God are brought in time to behold His glory,
and are quite satisfied with both His work and His doctrine.
His is the only glory which the bride desires. That city, the
new Jerusalem, is called new, lest there should be any confusion
as to the nature of that city to which the Lord has a lasting
regard. Some propose that earthly real
estate is precious in the sight of God. However, that Jerusalem
with which the Lord is pleased and wherein he delights to dwell
as an omnipotent king cannot be located on any earthly map,
nor can those who only see a city which is built with hands ever
dwell in its glorious confines. That city is enclosed by a wall,
not built with mortal hands. It is for the bride's protection,
lest she should stray and be destroyed, who are kept by the
power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed
in the last time. That same wall is for her defense
from those who seek to destroy her. No weapon that is formed
against thee shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise
against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage
of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of
me, saith the Lord. She is indeed a city walled around. That city has a gate on every
side. Those gates are kept by Him who is the door of the sheep.
By Him alone do the sheep go in, and under His watchful eye
do they feed. He is their provision both night
and day, and is a faithful shepherd. The doors on each side indicate
that it is from the four corners of the earth that the Lord is
pleased to call His people, and give them an entrance into His
glorious kingdom, rather than having respect to earthly heritage
or endeavor. This is a city which hath foundations,
whose builder and maker is God, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief cornerstone, in whom all the building, fitly framed together,
groweth into an holy temple in the Lord, in whom also ye are
built together for the inhabitation of God through the Spirit. The
foundation is the most important part of any building. He is both
the foundation and the one who builds the edifice which rests
upon it. He is bride, the holy temple of God. This city has
but one object and place of worship. Jesus Christ is the brightness
of the Father's glory and the express image of His person.
It is to Him and Him alone that all glory is due, both in creation
and redemption. The bride gladly embraces Him
and worships at His footstool, for he who has seen the Son has
seen the Father. That city has but one source
of light, and there is no darkness there. The bride is illuminated
by the bridegroom and loves to have it so. Then spake Jesus
again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world. He that
followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the
light of life. Do you walk in the light of his
presence and rejoice in the glory that is Christ alone? Or are
you satisfied with the light from the fires which men have
kindled? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.