How Christ is Married to the New Jerusalem

Christ is married to the New Jerusalem because the city serves as the capital and representative of His kingdom, which He receives at the close of His mediatorial work in the heavenly sanctuaryEVRR367+2. This marriage represents Christ’s official reception of His throne and dominion before His second coming to earthEVRR367+2.

👑 The Marriage as a Legal Reception of the Kingdom

The marriage of the Lamb is not a literal wedding to "stone walls," but a symbolic representation of a legal and spiritual union between Christ and His sovereign authorityARSH October 7, 1851, page 33.12+1.

• A Royal Custom: In ancient times, a king was said to be "married" to his capital city when he received his throne and kingdomEVRR367+2.

• The Pre-Advent Judgment: This union takes place in the heavenly sanctuary during the pre-advent judgment, which began in 1844, where the Ancient of Days gives Christ "dominion, and glory, and a kingdom" Daniel 7:13-14EVRR669.

• The Capital City: The New Jerusalem is called the "bride, the Lamb’s wife" because it is the metropolis of the kingdom Christ is inaugurated to rule Revelation 21:9-10LIFSK 119.1+1.

🏙️ Two Representations of the Bride

While the New Jerusalem is the literal bride in the context of receiving the kingdom, there is also a spiritual application regarding the churchEVRR367+1.

• The Literal Bride: Scripture explicitly identifies the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, as the bride Revelation 21:2LIFSK 119.1+1.

• The Spiritual Bride: The church is often illustrated as a bride in her intimate union with Christ, but in the specific event of the "Marriage of the Lamb," the church occupies the role of guests at the marriage supperEVRR367+2.

• The Mother of Us All: The New Jerusalem is also described as the "mother of us all," and Christ, her Maker, is her husband Isaiah 54:5+1ARSH February 14, 1856, page 157.19+1.

✨ Preparation for the Marriage

Because the marriage occurs at the close of probation, a work of preparation is required for those who wish to attend the subsequent marriage supperEVRR367+1.

• Determining the Subjects: During the judgment, the subjects of the kingdom are made up, and their names are recorded in the Lamb's book of life Revelation 21:27EVRR669+1.

• The Wedding Garment: To enter the city and join the feast, believers must be clothed in the wedding garment, which is the righteousness of Christ imputed and imparted to them Revelation 19:87MR 268.4+1.

• Washing the Robes: We are encouraged to wash our robes of character in the blood of the Lamb now, while probation lingers, to be ready for the King's return from the wedding7MR 268.4+2.

🎺 The Sequence of Events

The marriage happens in heaven before Christ returns to gather His peopleEW 280.1+1.

• The Wedding: Christ is united to His throne and capital city in the most holy place of the heavenly sanctuaryEVRR367+1.

• The Return: After the marriage is consummated, Christ returns to earth to receive His children, coming as King of kings and Lord of lords Luke 12:36EW 280.1+1.

• The Supper: The redeemed then ascend with Christ to the New Jerusalem to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb Revelation 19:9CIHS 155.1+1.