lse, had been
satisfied with a theory of the truth, but were destitute of the grace of
God. In the parable, when the bridegroom came, "they that were ready went
in with him to the marriage." The coming of the bridegroom, here brought
to view, takes place before the marriage. The marriage represents the
reception by Christ of His kingdom. The holy city, the New Jerusalem,
which is the capital and representative of the kingdom, is called "the
bride, the Lamb's wife." Said the angel to John, "Come hither, I will show
thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." "He carried me away in the spirit," says
the prophet, "and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem,
descending out of heaven from God."(705) Clearly, then, the bride
represents the holy city, and the virgins that go out to meet the
bridegroom are a symbol of the church. In the Revelation the people of God
are said to be the guests at the marriage supper.(706) If _guests_, they
cannot be represented also as the _bride_. Christ, as stated by the
prophet Daniel, will receive from the Ancient of days in heaven,
"dominion, and glory, and a kingdom;" He will receive the New Jerusalem,
the capital of His kingdom, "prepared as a bride adorned for her
husband."(707) Having received the kingdom, He will come in His glory, as
King of kings and Lord of lords, for the redemption of His people, who are
to "sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob," at His table in His
kingdom,(708) to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb.

The proclamation, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh," in the summer of 1844,
led thousands to expect the immediate advent of the Lord. At the appointed
time the Bridegroom came, not to the earth, as the people expected, but to
the Ancient of days in heaven, to the marriage, the reception of His
kingdom. "They that were ready went in with Him to the marriage, and the
door was shut." They were not to be present in person at the marriage; for
it takes place in heaven, while they are upon the earth. The followers of
Christ are to "wait for their Lord, when He will _return from_ the
wedding."(709) But they are to understand His work, and to follow Him by
faith as He goes in before God. It is in this sense that they are said to
go in to the marriage.

In the parable it was those that had oil in their vessels with their lamps
that went in to the marriage. Those who, with a knowledge of the truth
from the Scriptures, had also the Spirit and grace of God, and who, in t