Cast into Outer Darkness - Part 39 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

Montana

The last time we were together we learned that the one talent Christian in the Parable of the Talents and the Christian man in the Parable of the Wedding Feast, who was in the Wedding Hall without a Wedding garment, were cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Sounds pretty horrific to me, so long ago I set out to find out where is this place.

 

Each of God's kids receives an assignment, a talent, in order to prosper the Kingdom of Heaven. Each is an Ambassador for Christ - representing the Kingdom of Heaven to those living on the earth. The "work" the Lord gives to each believer is an opportunity to develop the character of Christ - heavenly treasures - which are threads to weave his Wedding Garment.

 

The "work" each believer is assigned encounters trials and tribulations...that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ...I Peter 1:7.

 

The word fire in this reference means:  lightning. Lightning symbolizes the glory of God. The "works" we do for the Lord on the earth will be tried - revealed - whether or not they honor Him alone - or bring credit, exaltation, honor, and glory to us.

 

God allows fiery trials in our lives for our own good, so that the house - temple - we build on the earth will not burn up at the Great White Throne Judgment. The Apostle Paul stressed to believers...seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God...set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth...Col. 3:1-2.

 

The motives of our heart are revealed by how we endure persecution for our faith, how we endure injustice and false accusations against our character, and how we pray first for our enemy so they will find Jesus Christ as their Savior. It is all about developing the character of Christ.

 

Have you ever seen a hearse with a U-Haul attached? When we stand before the Lord on that Day, will we bring with us pride in the Bible school we built; the mega-church we built; the scientific break-through we achieved; the great denomination we started; the great charitable organization we built; the television or radio network we built, etc., etc. etc? Of course not - when Jesus returns...both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up...II Peter 3:10. Humility, while living on the earth, will be recognized by Jesus Christ on that Day.

 

When the unprofitable servant and the man without a Wedding Garment appeared before the Great White throne Judgment, the house - temple - they built burned down to the foundation of salvation.  Because they are wearing the Garment of Salvation they are allowed to enter into Heaven, but they are not allowed to participate in the Wedding of the Lamb. Instead they were sent to "outer darkness."

 

All three references to "outer darkness" are found in the gospel of Matthew:  8:12; 22:13; 25:30. Every Bible teacher I studied under said this means Hell - but does it?

 

In the original Greek language the word outer is:  exoteros or exterior. The word darkness is:  skotos. It means obscurity; shadiness - darkness of error; adumbration (outline/sketch). The translation does not describe Hell or the Lake of Fire.

 

Outer darkness is a place on the exterior of Heaven - obscurity - where believers will dwell, whose defiled house - unrighteous works - burned up at the Great White Throne Judgment. These believers did not build their temple on the earth with righteous works, so there were no threads - treasures in Heaven - with which to weave a Wedding Garment for them to attend the Wedding of the Lamb.

 

The reward Jesus brings with Him is a garment made of fine linen which is woven from...the righteous acts of the saints...Rev. 19:8.

 

Even though the prophetic parables of Jesus are future, His description of certain events are unambiguous, if we pay attention. This is because He wants us to be prepared for victory on Judgment Day - not to experience weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

Remember when the Apostle Paul said...each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is...if anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward...if anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (I Cor. 3:13-15)?

 

What loss will this believer experience on Judgment Day that would cause weeping and gnashing of teeth - sobbing and wailing. while grating their teeth from pain and rage? Don't you want to have the answer now, while still alive, so you will not experience weeping and gnashing of teeth on that Day? Stay tuned...

 

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...

 

 

 

 



Works That Defile Men - Part 38 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

Star Shower

When we were last together I asked, "Aren't you a tiny bit curious to know what "works" you are doing on the earth right now, that may burn up at the Great White throne Judgment - with weeping and gnashing of teeth?"

God endows each of His children with talents which they will use on the earth to glorify the Kingdom of Heaven. "Works" by a believer that only glorify His Kingdom are symbolized by gold, silver, and precious stones as building materials for the house built by him - treasures in Heaven that are not corrupt. These incorruptible "works" will provide the threads that will design our Wedding Garment - righteous acts of the saints...Rev. 19:8. This house will not burn up at the Great White Throne Judgment.

Remember when the Prophet Samuel said to King Saul, behold, to obey is better than sacrifice...I Sam. 15:22? Obedience to God's call on our life is another thread in our Wedding Garment. The cry of our heart must be to always honor and glorify Him who has bought us with the price of the blood of Jesus Christ - we are no longer our own.

Often though, a new believer begins the "work" that God has called him to do, but then along the way he becomes prideful in his accomplishment, accepting praise and honor for the great work "he" has built. While "his" work may be very noble, continuing to grow exponentially on the earth, but receives adulation and glory from the masses, the house he built will burn up at the Great White Throne Judgment, because this believer took the glory that belongs only to God.

The Apostle Paul described incorruptible threads for the Wedding Garment, when he told his disciple Timothy...pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness...I Tim. 6:11. Notice that he said to pursue these attributes of Christ. Paul told believers in Galatia...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...against such there is no law...Gal. 5:22-23. These "works" are the incorruptible threads - against such there is no law - that will produce our Wedding Garment.

Each believer is responsible for his own house - God gives him the freedom to choose the materials with which he builds his house - the Word is very clear. But, we must understand the consequences for building our house from wood, hay, and stubble - it will burn down to the foundation of salvation when standing before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on that Day. While we will be allowed in Heaven, we will not receive the reward Jesus brings with Him - the Wedding Garment.

I must ask the Lord to exam my heart daily to see if there be any wicked way in it, so I can make the corrections needed while I still live on the earth. So I asked the Lord to show me if any of my endeavors for Him seek glory or exaltation for myself, if so, I must immediately repent and get back on His path of humility - putting others before myself - glorifying Him only!

What are the motives of my heart; is there any jealousy in me; am I envious of the "works" of other believers; am I easily angered, impatient with others; am I resentful and hold grudges; do I curse unbelievers to Hell for their works; am I dishonest; do I lie (even white lies); do I have selfish ambitions; do I have revenge in my heart; do I bear false witness, etc.? If any of these materials produce the house I build on the earth - wood, hay, stubble - my house will burn up when I see Jesus face-to-face. Then there will be great loss with weeping and gnashing of teeth.

If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire...I Cor. 3:15. This short statement by the Apostle Paul should prompt an immediate question - what loss? The believer who built his sheep house out of wood, hay, stubble has nothing written in his heavenly book to warrant a reward from Jesus Christ when He returns, so his house will not only burn up, but he will suffer loss with weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The word loss in the original Greek language is zemioo meaning:  to injure; to experience detriment. Since this believer defiled his house, by becoming entrenched in the materialism of the world, honoring himself or spiritual leaders of the world, there were no treasures in Heaven to weave his Wedding Garment.

In the Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25:20-30), Jesus said regarding the one talent believer...cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth...verse 30.  Remember in the Parable of the Wedding Feast when God threw a man out of the Wedding Hall, and he was cast into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth? 

So the unprofitable servant and the man without a Wedding garment are cast into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Hmmm...begs the question - Where is outer darkness?  Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question







Threads of Wedding Garment - Part 37 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

When were last together we found out that Jesus asked the question,...when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth...Matt. 18:8. When Jesus asks a question I search the scriptures for the answer...don't you? I found out...faith which worketh by love...Gal. 5:6. The word worketh or works in the original Greek language is energo meaning:  to be active. The faith that you received from Jesus Christ is activated by love.

Jesus gave a commandment:  that we love one another...John 15:12. He also said...if you keep My commandments you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love...John 15:10. The yardstick to measure our own love is how Jesus kept His Father's commandment by abiding in God's love. Jesus is saying that our faith will only be activated if we abide in His love.

So far we have two treasures that can be stored in Heaven that are incorruptible -- faith and love. Faith and love are threads that will weave our wedding garment (robe of righteousness), which we must be wearing in order to enter the Wedding Hall where the marriage to the Lamb takes place. Many are called to participate in the Wedding, but few are chosen to go into the Wedding Hall...Matt. 22:14. The word called in this text means invited.

Let's jump to the end of Revelation where Jesus returns and gives His reward to His Bride - her wedding garment (robe of righteousness) -  Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready...and to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints...Rev. 19:7-8.

It is very clear in this text the wife (bride) of Jesus Christ "made herself ready" for the marriage of the Lamb.  Each believer in Jesus Christ is invited to the marriage of the Lamb - but will that believer be "ready" when Jesus returns? Jesus Christ provided the Garment of Salvation for a new believer - passage into Heaven. The house a believer builds on the foundation of salvation, while he lives on the earth, will determine if he is "ready" to participate in the marriage of the Lamb.

This scripture clearly tells us how the Wedding Garment (robe of righteousness) is woven - the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.  We enter Heaven by wearing the Garment of Salvation, but we can only enter the Wedding Hall for the Marriage of the Lamb wearing the Wedding Garment...Matt. 22:11-12 The fine linen Wedding Garment is woven by "righteous acts of the saints" while they live on the earth - house they build on the foundation of salvation.

Remember when the Apostle Paul said...if anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward...I Cor. 3:14. Weren't you even a little bit curious to find out about a reward that can only be given to you if your "righteous acts - works - endure" when you are standing face-to-face with Jesus Christ at the Great White Throne Judgment?

Especially, when Paul went on to say in the next sentence...if anyone's work is burned, he will suffer great loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire...I Cor. 3:15. If the Wedding Garment given by Jesus at His coming is woven by threads of righteous acts - house we build on the earth - would it not behoove us to find out how to prevent our house from burning up on Judgment Day?

If the house we build on the earth is burned up when we see Jesus face-to-face, this means that the "works" we accomplished on the earth were not treasures stored in Heaven, because they were corrupt. Only incorruptible works can be defined as "righteous acts" on Judgment Day. Righteous acts weave the Wedding Garment that must be worn in the Wedding Hall for the marriage of the Lamb.

Paul said...if anyone's work is burned, he will suffer great loss. If a believer builds his house on the foundation of salvation with wood, hay and stubble (I Cor. 3:12), these symbolize unrighteous acts - works - so his house will burn down to the foundation of salvation, when he stands at the Great White Throne Judgment - "great loss" is not being allowed to participate in the marriage of the Lamb! Because he is wearing the Garment of Salvation he is allowed to enter Heaven.

If this believer has no righteous acts to weave his Wedding Garment, how will Jesus give to him/her a garment that is woven only from the righteous acts of the saints? Many are invited to the marriage of the Lamb, but few are chosen to go into the Wedding Hall - great loss.

I took this revelation so seriously, I have asked the Lord to evaluate my "works" so that I can make the necessary changes now, so I will have enough treasures in Heaven - threads to weave my Wedding Garment.

We will reveal more linen threads for a Wedding Garment that are incorruptible, but aren't you a tiny bit curious to know what "works" you are doing on the earth right now, that may burn up at the Great White Throne Judgment - with weeping and gnashing of teeth? Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...




 

Reward Jesus Brings (Wedding Garment) - Part 36 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

When we last together we began to discuss what loss a believer will suffer if the house - works - he builds on the foundation of salvation, while he was on the earth, burns up when he stands at the Great White Throne Judgment. The materials he uses to build his house will determine whether or not his house burns up, or if he will receive the reward Jesus brings with Him - Wedding Garment.

On Judgment Day it will be evident what building materials were used to build each believer's house...each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is...I Cor. 3:13. This reference reveals the significance of our works - labor/service - that are accomplished by us, while we live on the earth.

Gold, silver, and precious stones are considered valuable assets by human beings. So the Apostle Paul used them metaphorically to describe a house that will not burn up, when he told believer's...if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones...he will receive a reward...I Cor. 3:12-14.

In my research of the Bible regarding the Wedding Garment, I found many scriptures that were pieces to the puzzle. When I put all the pieces together, the answer was clearly revealed.  We already learned in the last blog that we must...lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys...Matt. 6:20. Treasures stored in Heaven must be incorruptible, otherwise they could not be stored there.

So I asked myself, "What do I now do on the earth that is incorruptible?"  Incorruptible means:  is not decayed - cannot be destroyed.

Do you remember when the Apostle Paul was speaking in the Areopagus he said, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising...Acts 17:29.  Now I understand, that what I  may consider valuable works or service to the Lord on the earth, may be of my own devising bringing glory to myself - having nothing in common with His Divine Nature.

In I Peter 1:1-12 the apostle describes how the obedience of Christ has reserved in Heaven an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance which will be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials...that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious that gold than perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ...verses 6-7.

So far we can see that one of our "treasures in Heaven" is our faith. For by grace we have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God....Eph. 2:8. Our first act of faith was to receive Jesus Christ and His promise of eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven. We didn't see the promised Kingdom, but we believed...Heb. 11:1.

The Apostle Peter said that the genuineness of our faith will be tested by fire - meaning believer's must overcome the fiery trials and tribulations that dog our steps, during our earth journey of building our spiritual house, so the house we build will not burn up at the Great White Throne Judgment.

I understand how my faith is a "treasure in Heaven" because in order to be stored there, it had to overcome fiery trials on the earth, victoriously.

Jesus said regarding Satan...the thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy...John 10:10. Satan works relentlessly to rob us of our faith, because he knows that without faith it is impossible to please God...Heb. 11:6. The promises of God regarding His eternal Kingdom of Heaven - the invisible realm - can only be received by faith, so this is why Paul said...fight the good fight of faith...I Tim. 6:12. 

One of the threads that will weave our Wedding Garment is faith that has been tested by fire and overcome victoriously - treasure in Heaven. I believe we are beginning to get the idea of how the Bible defines "virtuous works" on the earth, which are stored in Heaven as treasures. Virtuous works will only glorify God. If a believers' works glorify him at all, they are corrupt, so cannot be stored in Heaven as incorruptible treasures.

Why did Jesus ask the question...when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?...Matt. 18:8. Did His question ever cause you concern - it did me? Stay tuned...

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple will follow without question...