The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

This word "Write," seems to make it a proclamation to those left on earth who will read
these words and understand them after the Marriage of the Lamb, the union of Christ and
His saints has taken place. Various interpretations have been given these words. Some
understand those addressed to be the Old Testament saints; but the command for St. John
to "Write," seems to make it apply to those who will at the time of the vision's fulfillment
hear these words, as an invitation. The marriage supper always follows the marriage. It
seems not to apply to the Bride, but to others.
Mr. Lord has applied this invitation to the Marriage Supper to a different class of persons
from the raised and glorified saints denoted by the Bride, and says that it applies to
unglorified saints left on the earth after the Bride is glorified. Mr. Russell says:
"This will be the Nuptial Feast, in honor of the Marriage of the Lamb, after His Wife hath
made herself ready. (Rev. 19:7-9.) At that feast, we are assured, will be a secondary
company, not worthy to be of the Bride class. These may be figuratively styled the
bridesmaids, the Great Company class; for after the account of the gathering of the Bride
we have the Lord's Message to these subsequently delivered from Babylon [not the
Mother], saying, 'Blessed are they that are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.'"
Worship only God
"And I fell before his feet to worship him. And he says to me, 'See; no! I am a fellowservant
with thee, and of those brethren with thee who have the testimony of Jesus;
worship God.' (For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of this prophecy.)"--Ver. 10.
St. John at this stage of the symbolic visions seems to have been entirely overcome with the
majesty of the revealing angel, and of the wonderful truths disclosed in the angel's words;
and in this rapturous state he fell down to the earth before the angel in the attitude of
worship. Some have supposed that St. John took the angel to be his Lord and Master,
Christ. However this may be, it is certain that his falling before the angel is designed to
teach the Lord's followers a very important lesson--that it is wrong, even idolatrous, to
give to the creature the adoration and honor that belong alone to God. Nothing is more
plainly taught in the Scriptures than this. It has been this worshipping of men, of
organizations, etc., that is, ascribing to them qualities or attributes belonging only to the
Creator, that has frequently caused God's people to fall.
"The response of the angel to the Apostle when falling to worship him is eminently
beautiful, indicating a befitting sense of the sanctity of God's rights, and exalting the
services of the witnesses of Jesus to an equality with His own. I am a servant of the same
order as you and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; for you and they in
proclaiming that testimony before the nations and kings of the earth are to fulfill
essentially the same office as I, guided by the revealing spirit, have fulfilled in interpreting
the prophecy to you."
In this work of interpreting the visions of the Revelation God has used many servants.
Therefore we should refrain from making the angel apply to any one individual, as many