William Huntington

XV. - The Heavenly Bridegroom, and his Virgin Company

"These are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins," Rev. xiv. 4.

IN the preceding chapter we have an account of the beast of Rome and his religion, of his admirers and followers, of his adherents and worshippers; consisting of such persons as have not their names written in the Lamb's book of life: likewise of the cruelty the pope has exercised upon the saints in killing those who would not submit to his pernicious doctrines.

In this chapter we have an account of "the everlasting gospel being preached to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people;" of the hour of Christ's judgment being come, when he will avenge the blood of his saints by executing judgment on them that shed it; and of the fall of Babylon. After which we read of a vast number of souls called and converted to Christ, expressed figuratively by an hundred and forty and four thousand; all of whom appear in an open profession of faith, and are represented as standing on mount Zion, which is the militant church on earth, distinguished from the triumphant church, which is called the heavenly Jerusalem.

In this blessed company "the Lamb of God is seen standing," he being the head of the church, and now standing up to plead the cause of his people against their enemies, and as gathering them together to himself. The various voices of this company are said to be from heaven, because the kingdom of heaven was already set up in their hearts; and because their birth, happy deliverance, and happy state, were all from heaven. Their voices are compared to many waters, expressive of the large concourse of souls now flocking to Christ; and to thunder, signifying their loud acclamations of joy, and their triumphs over their enemies; and to harps, expressive of the melody of their souls. "And they sang a new song, which none could learn but those that were with the Lamb on mount Zion." This is peculiarly one of the songs of Zion, which cannot be sung by a stranger in a strange land; none but pardoned souls, who have the application of the atonement on them, can say, "Thou hast redeemed us."

"These are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins." At first sight this company appears a perfect band indeed, especially if we consider that not only adultery and fornication are intended by this "defilement, but that he that looks on a woman and lusts after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." To be free from this defilement in every sense, in thought, look, desire, word, and deed, is "escaping the corruption of this miserable world" with a witness. Neither Abraham, Jacob, David, or Solomon, could stand among this number; for they had all of them other women besides their lawful wives, for which they had no command, leave, or grant, from God; "for from the beginning it was not so."

Lamech set this first bad example, who is not to be followed in any sense, being of the race of Cain; he was a polygamist, and, like his father, a murderer. The example God set to the world was forming one woman for one man, and marrying these two, calling hem no more twain, but one flesh, Mal. ii. 15.

Virgin is the pure name which is given to all the followers of Christ, whether gracious or graceless. "Ten virgins went forth to meet the bridegroom, five were wise, and five were foolish." The five wise virgins which entered into the marriage chamber had oil in their vessels, or the Spirit's grace in their hearts; and the foolish had not, on which account they were disowned by the bridegroom: and no wonder, when the scriptures declare that, "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, ho is none of his," nor will he ever be acknowledged by him.

These virgins mentioned in this passage are spiritual virgins. Their bridegroom is "the last Adam, the quickening Spirit," who now inhabits a spiritual body, as we all shall at the end of time. His virgins therefore are not earthly, but spiritual or heavenly virgins; "for, as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly, for they bear his image; and, as is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy."

A wise and spiritual virgin, in the sense of scripture, is one that is a partaker of the Spirit of Christ; into whose heart the word of truth has come with power, and in the Holy Ghost; who believes in Christ, has a heart purified by faith, and by faith is justified, having his righteousness imputed, apprehended, and enjoyed by the faith of him. Christ always receives his spouse in "the wedding garment" which he has wrought out for her; this is called "spreading his skirt over her, entering into covenant with her, and she becomes his," Ezek. xvi. 8. He never received Adam nor Eve into fellowship with himself till he himself had clothed them; nor the prodigal son till the best robe was put upon him; then, but not till then, does he feed on the fatted calf, and wear the ring.

Furthermore, a spiritual virgin is one that has the love of God shed abroad in her heart, who has spiritual affections, who loves Christ and cleaves to him; for this is the bond of union, and such are one spirit with Jesus; he loves them, and they love him. "For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you a chaste virgin to Christ," 2 Cor. xi. 2. Paul had been instrumental in the conversion of these Corinthians, "and he had commended them to the Lord on whom they believed." But what were the characters of these Corinthians previous to their espousals? I answer, so bad, that they will bear no investigation. "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God," 1 Cor. vi. 9, 10, 11. Here we may see the cause of their virgin purity; they were washed in Christ's blood, sanctified by him Spirit, justified and enrobed in his righteousness; and such rare spiritual virgins.

We must consider also that there are two sorts of whores mentioned in scripture: the one is a carnal whore, that defiles the bodies of men; "He that commits fornication sins against his own body, and makes the members of Christ the members of an harlot:" the other are spiritual whores, that defile the souls of men. These are false churches, bearing the name of Christ, without being partakers of his divine nature; as a whore takes the name of the man who keeps her, to hide her shame, when she never was lawfully joined to him. Hence we read so much about these spiritual whores in the proverbs; who call to passengers that go right on their way; who deceive the simple; who talk much of peace offerings, and of paying their vows; who cast down many wounded, and have slain many strong men; that is, not strong men in faith, but strong in themselves. These whores are said "to forsake the guide of their youth, and to forget the covenant of their God;" which is their whoredom: and such are idolaters and heretics. One holds false gods, and the other false doctrines; and both have "their guests in the depths of hell."

These whores defile the mind with heresy, and make souls drunk with the spirit of error, which is called "the wine of fornication." They throw false glosses upon the scriptures, blind the understanding, and alienate the affections from Christ and his covenant; and lead souls to trust in themselves, in their own righteousness, in lies and falsehood, and in heart to cleave to the father of lies. And all such liars will go with the devil and his angels at last, for no liars can enter the heavenly city.

Hence we read of Jezebel in this book, "who calls herself a prophetess, who seduces the Lord's servants;" and of the "whore of Babylon, with whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication," in circulating and establishing popery in their countries; and hence she is said to "make all nations drunk with the wine of her fornication:" this is spiritual drunkenness and spiritual whoredom; and both of the devil, who is a foul spirit.

But these spiritual virgins were not defiled with these spiritual whores, nor with any open or scandalous sins. They protested against them and their uncleanness; they held the mystery of faith in a pure conscience, and persevered in the faith of Christ and in newness of life, and worshipped God in spirit and in truth; neither their mind nor their conscience were defiled.

Moreover, we must consider that the virginity of this heavenly company is mentioned in the present tense; they are virgins; which is expressive of what they are in Christ Jesus; and what they are is all of grace, not of nature; for all by nature and by sin are unclean things. All which shews their happy and blessed state in Christ. These are they which were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God, and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile; for they are without fault before the throne of God, Rev. xiv. 4, 5. All which expresses their being redeemed and cleansed from sin in the blood of Christ; the purity of their doctrine, and the sincerity of their hearts, being free from hypocrisy or guile; and of their standing first in Christ, who appears in the presence of God for them; and they are complete in him, and in him without fault before the throne of God.