John Thiel mp3 – The Divine Prince and His Bride Conference – 2006

The Marriage Feast

The divine prince and His bride. This is the meditation of this beautiful time we are having here. It is beautiful because we love our prince.

The Wedding Invitation

“And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise.” (Matthew 22:1-5)

“The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.” (Matthew 22:8-10)

Through our meditations at this conference, we have seen that the Lord has already wanted to conduct a marriage long before this. It was indeed at the time when Jesus came to this planet as the very bridegroom to be married to His bride. But not only did they slay the servants that called them to the bridal day, to the marriage feast, but they even slew the bridegroom Himself. They didn’t want this man to rule over them. They did not want this man to be their husband.

Instead of that city becoming the metropolis of the earth, the great diadem of God’s glory, it was destroyed and burned. It could have been the very glory of the heavenly King and of this wonderful prince.

In the study of the book of Revelation, this pending marriage was prolonged. It didn’t happen. We went through the seven seals, to come to the point in time where the bride could be made ready and the bride and the marriage could take place.

“Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:6-7)

Can you pick up the deep sense of the declension of the church into its condition of total filth and paganism mingled with Christianity in the dark ages? The pain and the suffering of the heavenly universe watching the people who claim to be God’s people becoming a harlot. Then the faithful remnant, the bride, the undefiled, continuing to come through and having to recover itself from all the darkness of the evil doctrines that have been forming in the church through those ages and having to make itself ready for the wedding. When it’s finally taken place, all heaven is rejoicing with loud, Hallelujah! It’s interesting when you have a wedding, what is sent out? An invitation isn’t it? That invitation has been going on for a long time, but finally it must come to fruition.

“The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come.” (Revelation 22:17)

The Wedding Garment Investigation

Verses 11 to 14: Here, this is the continuation of what we read from verses 1 to 10.

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:11-14)

Can we find the date of the wedding where everyone is to be in and the king is examining the guests. The king inspects the guests. What is that called? An investigation, isn’t it? An investigation.

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 14:6-7)

Here is a time in earth’s history when a message is proclaimed: now give Him the glory. The wedding is on. The king is to examine. Let’s come then to this marriage, the investigative judgment in Daniel 7.

“I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool: His throne was like the fiery flame, and His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.” (Daniel 7:9-10)

Here is the king, and here is the judgment, the investigation of the marriage.

What did we see in this time of judgment?

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought Him near before Him. And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:13-14)

What did we study in the beginning? What is the kingdom that Jesus receives? What is it represented as?

“And thou becamest Mine.” (Ezekiel 16:8)

The kingdom is His bride. We’ll go into that some more. Here Jesus is actually receiving His bride. Here is the marriage. Here is the delineation of Jesus receiving His bride.

The Date of the Wedding: October 22, 1844

The date of this occasion is Daniel 8:14.

“Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed.” (Daniel 8:14)

Then shall the judgment take place. Here is a date.

The Consummation

“The coming of Christ as our high priest to the most holy place, for the cleansing of the sanctuary, brought to view in Daniel 8:14; the coming of the Son of man to the Ancient of days, as presented in Daniel 7:13; and the coming of the Lord to His temple, foretold by Malachi, are descriptions of the same event; and this is also represented by the coming of the bridegroom to the marriage, described by Christ in the parable of the ten virgins, of Matthew 25.” (The Great Controversy, page 426)

“As anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon the sin offering and through its blood transferred, in figure, to the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant the sins of the penitent are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary. And as the typical cleansing of the earthly was accomplished by the removal of the sins by which it had been polluted, so the actual cleansing of the heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal, or blotting out, of the sins which are there recorded. But before this can be accomplished, there must be an examination of the books of record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in Christ, are entitled to the benefits of His atonement.” (The Great Controversy, page 421)

“The typical service of the earthly sanctuary consisted of two divisions, daily and yearly, and accordingly the cleansing or atonement consisted of two parts. Day by day the repentant sinner brought his offering to the door of the tabernacle and, placing his hand upon the victim’s head, confessed his sins, thus in figure transferring them from himself to the innocent sacrifice.” (The Great Controversy, page 418)

“In the ancient typical service, only those who came before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the day of atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment, the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God.” (The Great Controversy, page 480)

“The cleansing, both in the typical and in the real service, must be accomplished with blood: in the former with the blood of animals; in the latter, with the blood of Christ.” (The Great Controversy, page 418)

“It occurred on the tenth day of the seventh Jewish month, when the high priest, having made an atonement for all Israel, and thus removed their sins from the sanctuary, came forth and blessed the people. So it was believed that Christ, our great High Priest, would appear to purify the earth by the destruction of sin and sinners, and to bless His waiting people with immortality.” (The Great Controversy, page 400)

That was what they believed back there in 1844.

“That tenth day of the seventh month, the great Day of Atonement, the time of the cleansing of the sanctuary, which in the year 1844 fell upon the 22nd of October, was regarded as the time of the Lord’s coming. This was in harmony with the proofs already presented that the 2,300 days would terminate in the autumn, and the conclusion seemed irresistible.” (The Great Controversy, page 400)

We know they made a mistake. They thought that Jesus would come and they thought that was the wedding. But was that the wedding? Of course it was. It’s just that so many people think that when Jesus comes, that’s the wedding. But that’s not the wedding. The wedding is Jesus receiving His kingdom. That’s the wedding. The date: October 22, 1844. We’ve got the date of the wedding. Here it is.

The Groom and the Bride

Who’s the groom? Revelation 19:7. That’s very plainly brought out. The king who made a marriage for his son. The great King, the Ancient of days, was the one that made the marriage for His son. In Revelation 19:7, here is the simple statement in confirmation:

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7)

Jesus, the prince, is here called the Lamb. Why? Because He was slain. He was slain for the purification of His church. As He has done His work there at the cross, that time will come from that point onwards in which He was going.

“And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” (Revelation 19:9)

Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.

“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (Revelation 21:9)

Now we’ve got the answer. Who is the bride? I will show you He said:

“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.” (Revelation 21:10-11)

The description of the New Jerusalem is given. We are asking to know the name of the bride. What is it? The New Jerusalem. Now we have the date: October 22, 1844. We have the groom: Jesus, the Lamb. We have the bride: the New Jerusalem. And we read it there, the people that were invited by the gospel call—the guests were to come and experience the wedding feast.

Understanding the Bride and the Guests

Why is the New Jerusalem the bride? Haven’t we thought that the bride is the church? We think that the people of the church are the bride? What is to be understood here? When you become a believer in Jesus Christ, and through Jesus Christ you become His follower and you are truly converted, what do you become part of?

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.” (Hebrews 12:22-24)

“In the summer and autumn of 1844, the proclamation, ‘Behold, the Bridegroom cometh,’ was given. The two classes represented by the wise and foolish virgins were then developed—one class who looked with joy to the Lord’s appearing and who had been diligently preparing to meet Him; another class that, influenced by fear and acting from impulse, 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.’ Revelation 21:9, 10. 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. Revelation 19:9. If guests, they cannot be represented also as the bride.” (The Great Controversy, pages 426-427)

Clearly then, the bride represents the holy city, and the virgins that go out to meet the bridegroom are the symbol of the church. This is often misunderstood. It is the people church that she’s talking here, not the kingdom. The people are the guests. Because the church, as we’ve just identified, is headquartered in heaven—the citizens of the kingdom. The people of the church are here identified as guests. In the Revelation, the people of God are said to be guests at the marriage supper.

The Groom

We will now contemplate: Jesus is the groom. The bride is the kingdom, headquartered in the New Jerusalem. The guests are the citizens, the believers. The marriage started in 1844 on October the 22nd. How long does this marriage continue? Is it not when the king has finished investigating the guests?

The Ten Virgins and the Bridal Party

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.” (Matthew 25:1-2)

Their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom. We know five are wise and five are foolish. Notice here we have the announcement of the bridegroom cometh at midnight. While they were sleeping, while they went, were sleeping, the announcement was made.

“Behold, the bridegroom cometh.” (Matthew 25:6)

As this message goes on from 1844 onwards, the call is for the guests to keep on coming along and follow the bridegroom to the wedding.

“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.” (Matthew 25:10-11)

We know what a sad statement is made there. Did you notice what it says in verse 13?

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 25:13)

Many people read this to apply to the coming of Jesus literally. But you see, the ten virgins were following the bridal party to the wedding. They’re not in the bridal party. They’re following the bridal party. As they follow the bridal party, they’re going to the wedding and the wedding is the investigative judgment that continues for this long, drawn-out period until the investigation is completed. That’s when the door shuts. That’s when probation closes and then Jesus comes. That’s when the marriage is complete. That’s when the ceremonies are over. That’s when the marriage can be consummated and Jesus can come and bring His people to the marriage supper.

What we gain here in this scriptural research is that the marriage is going on right now in the investigation of His saints. Through the investigation of the saints, the Lord Jesus is receiving His kingdom. As this is taking place, we are still living over this long extended period—not in the bride getting herself ready, because the bride is now ready. It’s the marriage itself, the actual long-drawn-out ceremonial exercise of the marriage of Jesus receiving His kingdom. What is it that prolongs it? The investigation of the members of the church, the guests. Before, it was prolonging because the bride wasn’t yet ready, but now it’s prolonging because the investigation of the members.

The Door is Closed

As the door shuts, is there a similar situation as the people who are thrown out of the door? Can you see a similar situation? Those who are in and those who are still making their way—there is a similar situation. This is why this is a long, drawn-out period.

The Wedding Garment of Righteousness

Revelation 19:7-8 gives us an understanding of the garment that is being examined. Because if you are going to be part of this kingdom, if we are going to be part of the citizens of that kingdom that makes up the kingdom, then Revelation 19 is clearly connected. The wedding garment must be upon every citizen because the bride which is the city is also identified with that.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (Revelation 19:7-8)

That the very church that has been proclaiming this message here in the period of the sixth seal, the preaching of the three angels’ messages here, the investigative judgment taking place, the history of the last generation… As the harlot churches have passed from one generation to the next, first was the great harlot, which was Jerusalem. Then comes the following:

• The development of the harlot which was Babylon the Great
• The daughters of Babylon in the Protestant churches
• Then last generation which is the Laodicean church

But within all of that, there is the undefiled virgin, continuing from one generation to the next in the purity of the word. Which one do you want to be? Our next study, joining the bridal party. Are you a wise virgin that can quickly attach itself to the pure bridal party so that you can get in and not miss out?

Joining the Bridal Party

“In the scene upon which Christ looks, a company are awaiting the appearance of the bridal party, intending to join the procession.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, page 405)

Who’s in the bridal party? The bridegroom, the bride, and those who attach themselves to it. That’s the bridal party.

“Lingering near the bride’s house are ten young women robed in white. Each carries a lighted lamp and a small flagon for oil. All are anxiously watching for the appearance of the bridegroom.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, page 405)

What is the lamp? The Word of God. Do you take time studying it? Do you understand it? What do you need to understand it? The flagon of oil. The vessel.

“All are anxiously watching for the appearance of the bridegroom. But there is a delay. Hour after hour passes; the watchers become weary and fall asleep.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, page 405)

It’s a process of time, isn’t it? The bride—how can they be sleeping when they’re supposed to be preaching? Indeed, the ten virgins may be members of the church, but they’re not awake. They’re not preaching the message. They’re not with the bridal party. They still have to join it. The church, as a team, as a whole, a corporate body, a bride—are you sleeping? Do you have to be woken up? You’re not alive with the message of the bridegroom and the bride, crying out livingly and intelligently, come and join the bridal party. The bridegroom is coming because “at midnight a cry was made.” (Matthew 25:6) By whom? The sleeping church? No. The one that’s awake.

“The sleepers, suddenly awaking, spring to their feet. They see the procession moving on, bright with torches and glad with music. They hear the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, page 406)

What do they hear? The voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride.

“The ten maidens seize their lamps and begin to trim them.” (Christ’s Object Lessons, page 406)

What’s needed? What is needed to trim the lamp? The oil of the Holy Spirit. If the oil is not correctly recognising Christ as He is in the Word of God, as it is in Jesus Christ, they are teaching another Christ. The real bridegroom needs to be recognised with the real bride. It is in this period of time ever since 1844 that even a bride that was once pure again becomes impure. She is the foolish virgins. Do you want to be among them?

It is a little remnant that continues to proclaim the pure message and it is this bridal party that needs to be joined to go in to the marriage. If you don’t join it, if you don’t participate to see the procession moving on bright with music and torches.

“But the five foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.” (Matthew 25:8)

“Give me. Find me. Find me somewhere to get some oil. Give us of yours,” they say. It is impossible to pass on the illumination of God’s word to somebody unless the Holy Spirit is in them. It’s my story. It’s the experience that I’ve got. I meet beautiful people. I share them the Word of God, and they go, “That’s very nice.” But they don’t have the oil. We need the Holy Spirit and it comes in through the Word of God and through prayer, and grow in it in our hearts so that Jesus becomes the living light in our soul.

What are you doing with the still small voice inside of you? Are you responding to it? Are you pursuing it? If you do, then you will recognise the bridal party.

Conclusion: Join the Bridal Party Now

The divine prince and His bride to this point in time, can you discern your position? Can you identify where you stand? Are you a wise virgin? Then trim your lamps. Are you a foolish virgin? Do you have to remain one?

As you trim your lamp, I can still find souls who are in the dark (2006). When I studied this in the beginning, I thought, well, it’s finished with a lot of people. But I met so many people that they still take it on, and they still glow with it. I thought, I’ve got to keep on going. In the Word of God and in your personal submission to it—that’s the only place you’ll find it.

Get it fast and become part of the bridal party before it slips out of your reach, before the door shuts.

Jesus says:

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 25:13)

Rejoice! The marriage is here! Rejoice! It’s been going on for a long time and as we heard previously, how serious a time are we living in just now? Was it serious before? Oh yes, it was serious, wasn’t it? But now we’ve got this beautiful time of peace. How serious is this beautiful time of peace?

There’s only a skerrick of time left. Are you overwhelmed with fear that you mightn’t make it? Join the bridal party. Doesn’t matter if you’re a bit hazy. Join the bridal party. It is alight with glory, light and truth. Just submit to it. Don’t argue with it. You won’t understand it. So what? God grant us at this conference a vivid experience of joining the bridal party. And may we, the bridal party, may the bridal party recognise the virgins that want to join them.

May God grant us such a vivid experience so that what we read in the Bible is not just words on the page, are not just hazy concepts, but living, vibrant truth. I rejoice in it. Let us rejoice in the Lord as we continue to proceed with the light that the Lord has given us. Amen.