In this series we are studying the prophetic parables of Jesus regarding our eternal home - what happens at the end of the world - when we stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ. We have defined all the key points in the Parable of the Wedding Feast except one - the Wedding Hall...Matt. 22:1-14. What does it symbolize? To understand this symbolism we must turn to the Old Testament.
...the Lord said to Moses...Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat...He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash and with the linen turban he shall be attired...these are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water and put them on...Lev. 16:2-4.
In the days of the Israelites, when the high priest Aaron ministered in the Holy Place (Holy of Holies) to God, presenting the blood sacrifice for the sins of the people, he could not just come in by his own will. God told him when to enter His presence. When he did go into the Holy of Holies, he was required to cleanse his body, and wear holy garments made of linen. Linen is made from flax, a fine, light colored plant. The finished material was pure white - symbolizing humility and purity of the high priest - when he enters the Holy of Holies - where God dwells.
When the high priest left the Holy Place, where God dwells, he was required to remove his holy garments, preventing them from becoming defiled when he ministered to sinners in the outer court. The outer court symbolizes the world. The promise of a Messiah who would offer His blood for the sins of the world was the purpose of this ritual - looking forward to that day when He would appear in Israel and fulfill God's promise. This prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead.
With this scriptural description of the Holy of Holies, let's find this fine linen garment in the heavenly Holy of Holies. 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...blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb...Rev. 19:7-9. When Jesus returns He will bring with Him a reward - it is the fine linen garment that He presents to His wife.
The fine linen garment symbolizes the righteous acts of the saints. This means the house (temple) they built while they lived on the earth - their works. When the books are opened at the Great White Throne judgment, the house (temple) each believer built - his works - will be judged by fire (glory of God). If his house was built of righteous acts he will be invited into the Wedding Hall - Holy of Holies. If his house was not built of righteous acts - it will be deemed defiled (of the world) and he cannot enter the Wedding Hall - Holy of Holies - he will suffer loss. Yet, he is allowed to enter Heaven because he is born again by the Spirit of God...I Cor. 3:12-17.
At the end of the world, God comes to the Wedding Hall to see the guests who are waiting for the Marriage of His Son. He saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment...Matt 22:11. This man had to be removed from the Wedding Hall - Holy of Holies - because he as not properly attired for the Marriage of the Lamb...Matt. 22:12-13.
Many Christians are invited to the Wedding Hall, but few are prepared (properly attired) to enter in. A human being must be wearing a Garment of Salvation to enter Heaven, but must be wearing a Robe of Righteousness (Wedding Garment) to enter the Wedding Hall - Holy of Holies - where God dwells. The fine linen Wedding Garment is the righteous acts of a believer. No righteous acts recorded in his book -- no Robe of Righteousness is waiting in Heaven for that Christian.
What is the loss a believer will suffer if he is not allowed in the Wedding Hall? As we saw in our Old Testament example, no defilement was allowed in a priest who presented himself in the Holy of Holies - where God dwells. This place symbolizes intimacy with God who has always dwelled in a sinless environment. If a human being desires this intimacy with God he cannot present a defiled house at the Judgment Seat of Christ. A defiled house will burn up on that Day.
Not being allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, because he is not wearing a Wedding Garment is the loss a believer will suffer, causing weeping and gnashing of teeth - intense sobbing and wailing - when he realizes, albeit too late, that he truly was not ready for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Jesus gave us so much information on how to be prepared for His return in His prophetic parables. How does the Parable of the Wise & Foolish Virgins confirm the Wedding Hall as the Holy of Holies? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
No comments:
Post a Comment