might
sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he
might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle,
or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish," Eph.
5:25-27. This accords with God's ancient promises to his people. Thus
Isaiah saith: "Thy Maker is thy husband; the Lord of hosts is his name,
and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel: the Lord of the whole earth shall
he be called," Isa. 54:5. Also Hosea: "And it shall be at that day, saith
the Lord, that thou shalt call me Ishi," my husband; "and shalt call me no
more Baali," my Lord. "And I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness,
and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies. I will even
betroth thee unto me in faithfulness; and thou shalt know the Lord," Hos.
2:16, 19. Thus is the church "espoused to one husband," to be presented
"as a chaste virgin to Christ," 2 Cor. 11:2.

The epoch of this presentation being here symbolized, it synchronizes with
that part of the parable of the "ten virgins which took their lamps and
went forth to meet the Bridegroom," when, the Bridegroom having come,
"they that were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was
shut"--those left without, afterwards crying in vain for admittance, Matt.
25:10. The wife had been made ready by its having been "granted that she
should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white--[_mar._ 'bright']; for
the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints," 19:8. Such were the
"white robes" given to those who cried from under the altar (6:11), and
who afterwards, at an epoch synchronizing with the marriage of the Lamb,
appeared, "a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations,
and kindreds, and people, and tongues," who "stood before the throne, and
before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands, and
cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon
the throne, and unto the Lamb," 7:9, 10. These were they of whom one of
the elders asked, saying, "What are these which are arrayed in white
robes? and whence came they?" and who was answered: "These are they which
came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of
God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the
throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst
any more;