"And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints" (Rev. 19:8).
    The covenant-community, a special (peculiar) people, who are destined to share in the fulness of our Lord's coming kingdom and glory, is here referred to as "the Lamb's wife". She has been espoused to Him from of old. The marriage will be consummated when He returns from the "far country" (having received the kingdom) and embarks upon the Messianic rulership of a willing people, (Lk. 19:12, 15; Matt. 25).
    It is most important for one anticipating an audience with the king to consider her dress. When the glorious Lord first set His love upon the one now designated His "bride"; she was quite naked -- so wretched, miserable, poor and destitute that she could not cover her shame, (Ezek. 16:1-14). Cleansed, covered and royally adorned she was exceeding beautiful. But, trusting in her beauty, she played the harlot and poured out her whoredoms on everyone that passed by, (Ezek. 16:15-22). Nor was it long before she was so diseased and

bruised that there was no soundness in her, (Isaiah 1:5-6). She walked as the heathen do -- "in the vanity of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; who, being past feeling, gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness", (Eph, 4:17-19, ASV).
    But the Lord did not abandon her; He granted her "eyes to see" the wretchedness of her condition -- so that she was ashamed. Once more, He cleansed her with "the washing of water by the' word", (Eph. 5:26), and refined her, through the furnace of affliction, (Isa. 48:10; I Peter 1:6-7; 4:12-14). He arrayed her "in fine linen, clean and white" -- so that she now appears "fair as the moon", and is counted worthy to walk with her Lord, (Rev. 3:4). The "fine linen" symbolizes "the righteousness of saints" which He, by His grace and Spirit, has wrought in her; and which manifests itself in a holy life, (Titus 2:12). Even now He decks His bride with ornaments of grace; He will ultimately crown her with "glory", (Eph. 5:27; Col. 1:21-22, 27).

    Time is fast approaching for FELLOWSHIP '79 at the Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, in Rockford, Illinois.
    It is always a blessing to have our brethren come this way for a time of preaching, praying, singing praising and rejoicing together in the fellowship of the Gospel.
    Though some few have indicated that it will not be possible for them to come this year, we still anticipate a good attendance, and encourage all who can to be with us on November 22-23.
    Services will actually begin on Wednesday evening, November 21 (our regular mid-week service). Then we will continue through noon on Friday. Landmark Church expects to provide food and lodging for all who come our way. It would be greatly

    It was a beautiful picture that was presented of Jesus in the Garden; having completed His agonizing prayer, He guarded the sleeping disciples until it was time to go forth to meet His betrayer.
    The Scripture lesson for this study will be found in: Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53 and John 18:3-12.
    In connection with His betrayal we may note both the majesty and meekness of our Lord. He did not hide from his betrayer, but went to a place where He knew Judas would find Him.
    Judas had been ordered, upon leaving the Upper Room, to "do quickly" what he had already determined to do, (Jn. 13:27). Then the Master had led the eleven to the Garden -- a place that Judas knew quite well. The betrayer now comes leading a band of soldiers that they may arrest his Lord; it is obvious that they anticipate trouble.
    With full knowledge of what was coming, Jesus went forth to meet them with majesty -- being greeted by the kiss of Judas when He arrived at the Garden gate, (Psa, 28:3; 55:20-21). "Hail, Master!" said the traitor, and kissed Him.
    To Judas the Master directed a two-fold question: "Friend, wherefore art thou come", (Matt. 26:50; comp. Psalm 41:9; 55:13-14)? "Betrayest thou the Son of Man with a kiss", (Luke 22:48). His tenderness reveals the final pleading of LOVE in an effort to awaken a deadened conscience. It was NOT that Jesus needed any answer from the traitor;

John declares that He "knew ALL THINGS that should come upon Him", (John 18:4; Matt. 17:22-23; Mk. 10:33-34).
    Turning to the leaders of the mob, Jesus asked: "Whom seek ye"? "Jesus, the Nazarene!" came their swift reply, The expression manifested their contrived contempt -- an intended insult.
    "I AM!" was the Master's unhesitating response. This took them by surprise. The word He spoke was one that they dared not take upon their own lips, because of their deep superstition; it was the name of the covenant-God of Israel -- whom they claimed to worship. With solemn dignity Jesus lays claim to being the worthy object of their worship and adoration, rather than of their taunts and insults. And they were clearly caught off-guard and startled.
    Upon hearing Jesus' word the entire company went backward, and fell on the ground -- Judas among them. The cohort of Roman soldiers, the representatives of the chief priests and rulers, were halted, amazed and paralyzed before the sudden shining forth of His Majestic bearing. With all the powers supposedly delegated to them, they were powerless to lay a hand on Him.
    Once again Jesus inquired: "Whom seek ye?" and they repeated what they had said the first time.
    "I told you that I AM", He said; "if therefore ye seek me LET THESE GO THEIR WAY!" Here we note a perfect blending of Jesus' majesty and mercy. Here the "Good Shepherd" shows His readiness to give Himself for His sheep -- to suffer alone.

It is a voice of authority that speaks: "If you want me, I am perfectly willing to give myself into your hands; but LET THESE GO!"
    It is at this point that Peter (bold, brave, boisterous Peter) draws attention to his sword. Seeing what is about to follow, some of Jesus' followers asked: "Lord, shall we smite with the sword?" (Luke 22:49). Peter, in an effort to prove his stability, courage and loyalty, displayed the ultimate proof of his FEAR. Grasping his sword, he began to swing it. In so doing he cut off the ear of Malcus, a servant of the high priest, (John l8:10).
    Jesus immediately commanded Peter to "put up his sword", (Matt. 26:52-53; comp. I Cor. 4:12-13) All who take the sword will perish by it, (Gen. 9:6; Rev. 13:10). "The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" answered Jesus, (John l8:1l; Matt. 20:22). If He were interested in DELIVERANCE He could "pray the Father" and twelve legions of angels would be dispatched IMMEDIATELY for His defense! But, then the Scriptures would not be fulfilled "that thus it must be", (Isa, 53:7-9; Dan. 9:26; Matt. 26:24). And, touching the man's ear, Jesus immediately healed him, (Luke 22:51).
    It is not quite clear at exactly what point the officers actually took Jesus and bound Him. What IS clear is that He was not intimidated by it. He was fearless and unmoved because of the victory already won in prayer, (Luke 22:43). It is obvious that He is JUDGE OF ALL.

    Here He delivers a scathing rebuke against the religious leaders of Israel: "Are ye come out as against a THIEF with swords and staves for to take ME?" (Lk. 22:52-53). He was no thief! nor had He ever acted in such a way as to justify them in thinking He would violently oppose them. But, had He not openly charged THEM with being "robbers of widow's houses"? Their action against Him was designed to cover their own sin.
    Furthermore, they were being cowardly in their action -- coming for Him with such a mob when they knew that He had no earthly means of defense. Why did they not take Him as He had daily taught in the temple? Was it not because they were afraid of the people -- who heard Him gladly? "But this is YOUR HOUR, and the power of darkness", (Luke 22:53; Gen 3:15). The power of darkness (satanically inspired) has risen against "the Light of the world"; but ONLY for an hour. It will not endure. Jesus knows that "light" has ALREADY PREVAILED. "But all this was done that the scriptures might be fulfilled", (Matt. 26:54; Luke 24:44-46; Acts 2:23).
    Jesus' obvious willingness to be bound was rooted in His perfect LOVE -- for the Father, for His disciples, for His enemies, and for all men. He was not bound and held by the fetters of men. Without His consent, these would have been useless. It would be ridiculous to imagine that this crowd which fell backward when He spoke a single word could bind and hold HIM! No, He was held only by cords of love

-- love for YOU and ME!
    Seeing their Master bound, and about to be led away, "all the disciples forsook Him and fled", (Matt. 26:56; Mark 14:50). This was no surprise to Him. It had been foretold by the prophets; and, had He not, this very night, told His disciples that it would come to pass, (John 16:32)? Nor did He condemn them for it; He had, in fact, commanded His captors to PERMIT them to escape.
    There are at least three things that contributed to this "scattering": 1) A false sense of security, (Mk. 14:27-31). 2) Mental dullness and spiritual weakness -- with no adequate concept of that through which their Master was passing while they slept in Gethsemane. 3) Zeal without knowledge; what Peter intended to be an indication of his stability and courage was the ultimate proof of his cowardice.
    Betrayed by "a familiar friend', and forsaken by those whom He dearly loved, Jesus is led away to face the condemnation of His enemies -- ALONE! Yet, He was not really alone; the Father stood with Him, to uphold Him. Nor must we be too hasty in condemning the disciples of Jesus for their ingratitude and disloyalty. For, who among us can truthfully say: "I HAVE NEVER BETRAYED OR FORSAKEN MY LORD?"
One hundred; thousand souls a day
Are passing, one by one, away
In Christless guilt and gloom:
Without one ray of hope or light,
With future dark as endless night,
They are passing to their doom,

    "... I have a few things against thee", (Rev. 2:14, 20).
    To the church at Ephesus our Lord said, "I have somewhat against thee". To the churches of Pergamos and Thyatira He said, "I have a few things against thee". One does not ordinarily think of our Lord in this connection, He commends these churches for whatever is good about them and so does He see all that is praiseworthy about us. But not everything is pleasing in His sight whether it be that we have left our first love, as they did at Ephesus, or whether we have compromised with the world as in Pergamos and Thyatira.
    There is a popular amiable tolerance among us nowadays that winks at evil, but our God is a HOLY God, and He will not overlook iniquity. According to our modern light attitude, Achan would have been ignored and Israel told to go ahead. Can't you hear somebody say, "After all, there are lots of GOOD people in the camp, why make a fuss over ONE MAN?" From this point of view, Paul would not have mentioned the immoral brother in the church at Corinth. He would have accentuated the affirmative and majored on the positive.
    Such a negative approach as dealing with sins, instead of emphasizing the good points, at Corinth would be unthinkable today. But the Lord had something AGAINST Israel and AGAINST Corinth. We cannot "skip it"; we must face sin and deal with it. -- Vance Havner

    Both the promises and threatenings of God are made to people who are in a certain CONDITION, or who manifest a certain CHARACTER. It is foolish to "claim the promises" without sustaining the quality of character to which the promises are made.
    It was to His apostles, as representing His church, that Jesus gave the promise of His ABIDING presence: "Lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the age", (Matt. 28:20) Thus, He assures us of His companionship and assistance all through the days of our pilgrim journey. As Asaph expressed it in Psalm 73:24: "Thou wilt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me into glory".
    God still GUIDES His people thru the world as surely as He guided the Israelites by the pillars of fire and cloud during their wilderness journey. And He guides in such a way as to humble and prove us -- to know what is in our hearts (Deut; 8:2). By His providence and grace, His word and Spirit, He leads His dear children along, (Jn. 16:13; Isa. 42:16).
    His presence is also for our PROTECTION from the enemy and from the snares into which we might otherwise stumble, He is our "refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble", (Psalm 46:1). Though burdened by many cares, and bending under the weight of many years, no harm will come to us so long as He is with us, (I Peter