Are we really supposed to interpret Prophecy of Scripture? Does the Bible give us any instruction regarding this subject? Let's see if we can find some Biblical instruction.
The Apostle Peter said...for we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty...II Pet. 1:16. Peter had first hand knowledge of the first coming of Jesus Christ, so what he says about prophecy of scripture can be trusted. Peter went on to say...no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation...for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit...II Peter. 1:20-21. Why do we disobey the Apostle Peter?
Did Jesus explain to us the purpose of prophecy of scripture?
1. Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass you may believe that I am He.
John 13:19.
2. And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe.
John 14:29
3. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told.
John 16.4.
Can you find anywhere in these words of Jesus, explaining the purpose of prophecy of scripture, where He instructs us to interpret His prophecies? So why do human beings insist on interpreting prophecy of scripture? I wish I knew, but I am sure that pride, competition and greed play a part. Thousands of books and movies on this topic have flooded the market, generating millions of dollars for the producers, making millions of famous people. Men still clamor to be the first to be credited with "all knowledge" -- the one who cracked the code, so to speak.
What did God say regarding His promises...now the just shall live by faith; and if any man draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him...Heb. 10:38. If we draw back from living by faith, God will have no pleasure in us. God doesn't ask us to interpret Him, He asks us to trust Him with our future. No wonder Jesus said...when the Son of Man comes, will he really find faith on the earth?...Luke 18:8. This is a very sobering statement - one we should meditate on.
Most of you know that Sir Isaac Newton is an acclaimed scientist. But did you know that he was an avid researcher of prophecy of scripture? In the pursuit of prophetic understanding he made a profound statement in 1692, which perfectly confirms our study at this time. He said, "The folly of interpreters has been, to foretell times and things, by this Prophecy, as if God designed to make them Prophets. By this rashness they have not only exposed themselves, but brought the Prophecy also into contempt. He (God) gave the Prophecies, not to gratify men's curiosities by enabling them to foreknow things, but that after they were fulfilled they might be interpreted by the event and His own providence, not the interpreters--the event predicted many ages before, will then be a convincing argument that the world is governed by Providence.
Sir Isaac Newton said that the folly of interpreters is to foretell time & things by using this Prophecy, as if God designed to make them Prophets. He understood clearly, and aligned his opinions regarding prophecy of scripture with the Apostle Peter, and Jesus Christ. When the prophecy is fulfilled it is interpreted by the fulfilled event - and God gets all the praise and glory for foretelling His plans for men on the earth. Now isn't this exactly what Jesus said about the purpose of prophecy of scripture?
We must study prophecy of scripture, because some of the verses are clear as a bell as to their meaning, but we still won't know the time of fulfillment, unless of course, that prophecy has already been fulfilled and historically documented. We are allowed to define the metaphors, enigmas, riddles and esoteric imagery in prophecy of scripture in order to unlock the message of the prophecy and identify the participants. God wants us to understand, reveals to His friends some things, so we can cooperate with Him, rather than work against His plans and purposes for us.
It is up to us to search historical documents to find where prophecy has been fulfilled and place it in its proper sequential date of fulfillment, so we can sort out unfulfilled scripture from fulfilled scripture
When we were last together I asked, "Do we have a more detailed description of the End of the World generation than we did of those who perished in Noah's flood?" Yes we do, and more signs of the times are appearing on a daily basis. Yet, Jesus said...But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only...Matt. 24:36. Flee from anyone who gives exact dates for the return of the Lord Jesus and the end of the world. But we are to be discerners of the times by watching the signs of the times.
When the apostles asked Jesus what events will signal His return and the end of the world, He went into great detail about the signs they should watch for -- many false teachers; wars--nations will turn against nations; earthquakes in various places; famines & pestilence; fearful sights & signs from Heaven; signs in the sun, moon & stars; distress of nations on the earth with perplexity; men's hearts failing them from the expectations of these things coming on the earth; persecution of His Church...Luke 21:7-28.
We know that the apostles believed that Jesus would return in their day, producing the end of the world. While the apostles did experience some of these things, Jesus was explaining in detail what must precede His return so they could write it down, so future generations would watch for these signs, and be prepared for His return - someday He will return.
Rather than seeking God, many in the 21st century are seeking guidance from spirit guides, psychics, and mediums. Is this a sign of the times? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
When Jesus walked the earth He revealed to His apostles that He was the only way to the Father in Heaven...I am the way, the truth, and the life...no man comes to the Father except through Me...John 14:6. In today's society we hear there are many ways to Heaven, but do not listen to false prophets. God is not a man that He should lie...Num. 23:19. We must repent of our sins, accept the blood sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ for our sins on the cross of Calvary, and we will enter Heaven.
Did the apostles of Jesus Christ ask Him about the End of the World? When will this happen?...the disciples asked Him later, as He sat on the slopes of the Mount of Olives...what events will signal Your return, and the end of the world? Matt. 24:3.
In this text, Jesus and His apostles had just left the temple of worship in Jerusalem. His apostles were full of questions about the future. People in the 21st century have the same questions on their minds as did the people in His day. Jesus said to His apostles, as they observed the buildings of the temple...Do you not see all these things?...assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down...Matt. 14:1-2.
With exuberance the apostles prodded...When will this happen...what events will signal Your return, and the end of the world? We know that during the war of 70 A.D. Solomon's temple was thrown down, not one stone was piled on another - complete destruction of all buildings of the temple, as far as the eye could see. His description did not include anything built underground. This portion of His prophecy has been fulfilled.
Next, the apostles wanted to know...What events will signal Your return, and the end of the world? Did you notice how their question connected His return with the end of the world? After Jesus explained to them what must take place before He returns, culminating with the end of the world, He told them...But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only...Matt. 24:36.
The apostle Peter gives a very clear description of the end of the world, who also connects the return of the Lord Jesus Christ with the destruction of the earth. Just after Peter told the followers of the Lord that Jesus is not slack in the promise of His return, but is not willing that any should perish, he went on to say...but the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up...II Peter 3:10.
Reread this statement by Peter, erase everything someone has told you it says, then ask yourself if his statement is ambiguous in any manner? Even though this is a prophecy yet to be fulfilled, it is very clear language -- the day the Lord returns will be like a thief - unexpected - just as in the days of Noah the people were carried away by the flood...Matt. 24:39. On this same day - Day of the Lord - the heavens pass away with a great noise, the elements will melt with fervent heat - both the earth and the works in it will be burned up.
Peter admonishes us to be found in peace, without spot and blameless, as we look forward to the return of Jesus and the end of the world, because untaught and unstable people will twist prophecy, as they do the rest of scriptures - beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked. Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - looking for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells...II Peter 3:13-18.
How do we know when the end is near? As in the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be...Matt. 24:37. Two major signs for destruction from the days of Noah, that are evident in our society worldwide are:
1. Violence & moral degeneration
2. Eating, drinking, marrying - society living normally, yet rejecting their Creator.
While we don't have many details about Noah's generation, the books of Genesis and Job describe a civilization on the earth prior to the Garden of Eden event. When God told Adam & Eve to replenish the earth, it is obvious that something took place on the planet before they arrived, since replenish means: fill again. God placed Adam & Eve in the garden to show the nations how well He can take care of human beings if they will only surrender their allegiance to Him.
Rather than being an example of righteousness to the nations, Adam & Eve sinned against God, and corruption eventually covered the whole earth, wherever men journeyed. Earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence...so God looked upon the earth and indeed it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth...Gen. 6:11-12.
And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart...so the Lord said...I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them...Gen. 6:6-7. We who study the Bible and historical documentation, even from secular sources, know that a great flood covered the earth and destroyed everything on it, except those on the Ark.
If you think these things are true, or just possibly true, join me in this series on the End of the World so we can find out the truth of the matter. Do we have a more detailed description of the End of the World generation than we did of those who perished in Noah's flood? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrine of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
I have been on a spiritual journey - from the east coast, back to the west - where I belong, so God can fulfill His promises to me from long ago. Even though I have been away from my blog for over a month, I am amazed at how many new followers have found my blog on Twitter, BlogSpot, WordPress and Facebook. I so very much appreciate the ones who have stayed with me these past 3 years, and I welcome the newcomers, their questions and comments.
Today we begin a new subject - End of the World. The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus has recorded for us that God shared with Adam how the world would be destroyed twice - once by flood and the other by fire. Those of us who believe the Bible know its accounting of the flood of Noah's day.
When Jesus walked on the earth He linked Noah's day with His return when He said...but as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son the Man be...for as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark...and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be...Matt. 24:36-39.
After Jesus rose from the dead He appeared to His disciples, presenting Himself alive, after His suffering, for 40 days sharing things about the Kingdom of God. Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight...And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said...Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into Heaven...Acts 1:9-11.
Jesus is confirming the flood of Noah when He equates His second coming to that event. Jesus explained how men won't even be aware that the end of the world is near - life will be going on as usual with no thought that the world would actually ever end - they pay no attention to those radical doomsday preachers - dismissed them as crazies! Jesus told us that in the days of Noah the people did not know until the flood came and took them all away that it was too late to repent, even if they were so inclined, so they were swooshed right into Hell.
The two bright shining angels told the disciples of Jesus 2,000 years ago, Jesus would return, but many will not even know until the end-time fire takes them all away. We have the Old Testament example of Noah, confirmed by Jesus in the New Testament - no wonder the whole Bible is debunked by the learned professors of government universities - in fact - radically & viciously condemned!
It is amazing, isn't it, how these rabid professors have no problem accepting as absolute truth the historical documentation about such notables as Socrates, an Athenian philosopher 470-399 B.C., or Plato, an acclaimed Greek philosopher 427-347 B.C., or Hippocrates a celebrated physician of Greece 460-377 B.C. Even Cleopatra and her love affair with Marc Antony, both ending their lives by suicide by 30 B.C. are acclaimed as absolute truth.
But, since so many centuries have passed without Jesus returning or ending the world, millions of people assume that historical documentations found in the Bible are merely allegories, myths, or fables. These naysayers insist that ancient Biblical manuscripts have been discredited because the information has been manipulated or distorted - cannot be trusted, let alone believed. These self-proclaimed scholars completely disregard the hundreds of Biblical prophecies that have precisely and accurately already come to pass - have been fulfilled!
None of this took the Apostle Peter by surprise since he was well aware of the sinful nature of men. He said...scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying...where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation...for this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water...by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water...but the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for the fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men...but, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day...the Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance...II Pet. 3:3-9.
Now we have the Apostle Peter confirming the historical documentation of the historian Flavius Josephus, when he said that God told Adam the world would also be destroyed by fire. We will find confirmation about God's plans and purposes if we ask Him to show us. God wants us to know, so we will be prepared.
All of the apostles, including Paul, believed that the Lord would return in their day. So of course, everyone to whom they preached this message, also believed in the imminent return of Jesus Christ because they preached it was the last days. We have lived in the last days since Jesus came upon the scene. God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers of the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds...Heb. 1:1-2.
Let that sink in a bit - we have been living in the last days since Jesus appeared on the earth. But God wants none to perish, so is long-suffering while insolent and defiant human beings speak indignities against His name, blame Him for all the evil upon the earth, curse Him, or flat deny His existence. He loves His human family so much, that He chooses to endure every insult and curse, in order to save His beloved human beings from the wrath of His judgment against idolatry and immorality.
Did the apostles ask Jesus about the end of the world? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
We have been studying the prophetic Parable of the Wise & Foolish Virgins...Matt. 23:1-13. I know this is a long blog series, but the Bible has so much to reveal regarding how to be truly prepared for the return of Jesus Christ, and stand before Him on that Day to have our works judged - the house we built on the foundation of salvation. When we were last together I asked, "What happens to the foolish virgins (Christians)?
The Apostle Paul said, regarding the house (works) we build on the foundation of salvation...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. 3:14-15. This script is very clear - no interpretation needed.
There are ten virgins in this parable - ten born again Christians. The five Christians - who were prepared - whose houses didn't burn up at the Judgment Seat of Christ, will receive the reward Jesus brings with Him - the Wedding Garment - Robe of Righteousness. This garment allows entrance into the Wedding Hall - Holy of Holies.
The five Christians - who weren't prepared -whose houses burned up at the Judgment Seat of Christ, were received into Heaven, because they accepted Jesus as their Savior - they were born again...John 3:3. But, they will suffer loss. While on the earth they spent little time getting to know their Savior intimately, who could reveal issues in their hearts that needed to change, so the oil in their lamps grew dim. They were busy enjoying worldly pleasures, which means they built their house from wood, hay, and stubble, so it burned up at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
When the Bridegroom arrives, the five wise Christians were welcomed into the Wedding Hall - Holy of Holies - to participate in the Marriage of the Lamb...Rev. 19:7. The five foolish Christians were left on the outside of the Wedding Hall saying...Lord, Lord, open to us. Jesus said in the last verse of the Parable of the Wedding Feast...many are called, but few are chosen. This means that many Christians have been invited into the Wedding Hall, but few will be prepared to enter...Matt. 22:11-12. Very sobering thought.
What is the reward the five wise Christians will receive on that Day? To her (wise Christian) 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. 19:8-9. The reward Jesus gives to His wife on that Day is the Wedding Garment - fine linen, clean & bright made from her righteous acts. Because she is wearing the Robe of Righteousness (Wedding Garment), she is invited to participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb in the Holy of Holies - Wedding Hall.
What is the loss that the five foolish Christians will suffer? In the Parable of the Wedding Feast Jesus clearly explains in verse 13...then the king (God) said to his servants...bind him (them) hand and foot, take him (them) away, and cast him (them) into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
In blog #14 of this series I described in depth, a place called Outer Darkness. It is a metaphor describing a place on the exterior of Heaven, on the outside of the Holy of Holies - Wedding Hall. It does not describe the darkness of night as we understand on the earth, because in Heaven there is only light. John said...the city had no need of sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illumined it. The Lamb is its light...Rev. 21:23. Jesus the Son is the light of Heaven.
The darkness in a place named Outer Darkness, describes the great loss that will be experienced by those who are not allowed to enter the Wedding Hall. When they find out they were unprepared to receive the reward that Jesus brings with Him - Wedding Garment - there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth - great sorrow, grief, pain & rage - sobbing and wailing - because now it is too late to build a house for the Lord!
They will still enjoy many blessings of Heaven, and the Lord loves them very much for accepting His blood sacrifice for their sins, nonetheless, they will experience profound loss for not being ready for His return - illustrated by the five foolish virgins.
If we find all of the prophetic parables of Jesus, place them in consecutive order, which I have tried to do in this series, we will find a clear explanation of what happens at the end of the world to all people, saved or unsaved, when they stand before Jesus at the Great White Throne judgment and all the books are opened...Rev. 20:11-15.
Are you truly prepared for the return of Jesus Christ - to have the house you built on His foundation of salvation judged? He is ready to come - are you ready to receive His reward?
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
When we were last together we read the Old Testament scripture that described the Holy of Holies, where God dwells. In order to enter the Holy Place, the priest was required to wear pure white linen holy garments, and have no defilement in his heart, in order to bring the blood sacrifice for the sins of the people to God, so they could be forgiven. The High Priest had a rope tied to his leg. Why? If his heart was defiled he would die in the Holy of Holies - no darkness of error could live in God's sinless Presence. Great fear would come upon the other priests, so they needed a way to pull him out, otherwise they also could die if they entered the Holy Place.
In the Parable of the Wedding Feast, Jesus describes a Wedding Hall where only Christians, who are properly attired, will be able to participate in the Marriage of the Lamb. The Wedding Hall is the New Testament terminology for the Holy of Holies...Matt. 22:1-14. The reward Jesus brings with Him the day He returns is the Wedding Garment that He will give to His Bride.
Do you remember in Blog #2 of this series that I explained in detail the Greek language definition of His reward? It means: pay for service. At the Judgment Seat of Christ each Christian will have the house they built for the Lord, while they lived on the earth, judged according to what is written in his book...Rev. 20:12. If his house is defiled it will burn up - destroyed. If his house is not defiled, he will receive His reward - pay for service - for his undefiled virtuous acts.
This Christian will be invited into the Wedding Hall...because 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. 19:8. Does the prophetic Parable of the Wise & Foolish Virgins confirm the Wedding Hall is the Holy of Holies?
Then the kingdom of Heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom...now five of them were wise, and five were foolish...those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps...but while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept...and at midnight a cry was heard: "Behold the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet Him!"...then all the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps...and the foolish said to the wise, "Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out"...but the wise answered, saying, "No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves...and while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with Him to the wedding; and the door was shut...afterward the other virgins came also, saying, "Lord, Lord, open to us!"...But He answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you. Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming."...Matt. 25:1-13.
This prophetic parable is about a wedding because it describes...those who were ready went in with Him to the wedding. I was taught in church that this parable is about entering Heaven - five were allowed in - five went to Hell. But is that really what the parable illustrates? Before we can understand this parable, we must find out who are the virgins.
The word virgins is a metaphor for born again Christians - someone who has been cleansed and purified from sin by the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus has called as...out of darkness into His marvelous light...I Pet. 2:9. By calling all ten, virgins, we can conclude that all ten are born again Christians. The Apostle Paul described this experience by saying...if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new...II Cor. 5:17.
Old things passed away - a brand new life has begun with a clean slate. All called virgins - undefiled. Now that we have defined the symbolism, we understand that the parable is referring to ten born again Christians - all will be allowed into Heaven - but not all will be invited into the Wedding Hall. In verse 8 of the parable, notice that the five foolish virgins say...give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. It does not say that their lamps are out of oil.
What does oil symbolize? It symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The five foolish Christians had allowed the power and authority of the Holy Spirit to become second in their lives, while all the worldly pleasures became prominent, so they said...our lamps are going out. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful...Matt. 13:22. In other words, the house they built will burn up at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
After Jesus, the bridegroom, took those who were ready to go into the Wedding Hall, the door was shut - no one else could enter the Holy of Holies - because they were defiled. When the five foolish virgins asked if they could come in the Lord said...I do no know you. To know the Lord, symbolizes intimacy with Him - someone bearing the attributes of Christ in their lives. The five foolish virgins did not know Him, they knew about Him.
Because of the blood of Jesus Christ they were wearing the Garment of Salvation, so were allowed in Heaven. But they were not allowed in the Wedding Hall, because they had no virtuous acts to provide a Robe of Righteousness - Wedding Garment.
What happens to the five foolish virgins? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
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~~~
When we were last together we were studying the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matt. 22:1-14). We left off with the part that describes the end of the world, when the King (God) appears in the Wedding Hall to see the guests that have arrived to participate in the Marriage of the Lamb...Rev. 19:7. The King spots something out of place.
When the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment...Matt 22:11. We know the man is in Heaven, because he wandered into the Wedding Hall - so he must be wearing the Garment of Salvation. Why is this garment not enough to attend the Marriage of the Lamb? What did the King say to the man who is not properly attired for the Marriage of the Lamb?
So he said to him, "Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?" And he was speechless...Matt. 22:12. The man was shocked to find out that he needed a wedding garment in order to attend the Marriage of the Lamb! When he studied the Bible, while he lived on the earth, didn't he ever read the Parable of the Wedding Feast? Did he ever hear a pastor preach a sermon about a Wedding Garment, or that it is the reward Jesus brings with Him the day He returns?
Dear reader, did you ever hear a sermon preached on this subject? No, I didn't either. Before any of us stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ, at the end of the world, we must be prepared to participate in the Marriage of the Lamb. In this prophetic parable, Jesus calls it a Wedding Garment, while the Prophet Isaiah calls it the Robe of Righteousness...Is. 61.10. The Robe of Righteousness is worn over the Garment of Salvation.
In other words the garment is issued first - while we live on the earth. The robe is issued to us at the Judgment Seat of Christ. But, the issuance of the robe is contingent on the the house (work) we build for the Lord, while we live on the earth. We must make sure our house (work) does not burn up on that Day. Regarding that Day, the Apostle Paul said to believers about the foundation of salvation built by Christ...if anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward...if anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire...I Cor. 3:14-15.
Why did the King (God) call the man without a Wedding Garment - friend? The word friend in the original Greek language is hetairos meaning: clansman; tribe. By calling this man friend, God was acknowledging him as part of His heavenly family - tribe. But since he was not wearing a Wedding Garment he could not stay in the Wedding Hall and participate in the Marriage of the Lamb. What happens to this man?
Then the king said to the servants, "Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth?...Matt. 22:13. God called His servants (attendants) to bind him, hand and foot, remove him from the Wedding Hall, and cast him into Outer Darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in this place called Outer Darkness, because this is the loss a believer will suffer when his house burns up at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
How do we define the symbolism - bind him hand and foot - in this verse? It symbolizes that when this believer stood before Jesus at the Great White Throne judgment, he did not present...the image of the heavenly Man...I Cor. 15:49. The house he built on the earth did not honor and glorify Jesus Christ, it honored and glorified himself. His mind was focused on worldly pleasures, rather than on the spiritual pleasures of the Lord. He wasted his life, squandering his talents, so he reflected the material world at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
I was told by pastors and Bible teachers that all three places in the Bible referring to outer darkness are defined as Hell, Hades, or Lake of Fire. In other words, damnation. When I finally looked up the original Greek language for these words, I found a different understanding.
The word outer is exoteros meaning: exterior. The word darkness is skotos meaning: obscurity; shadiness (darkness of error); adumbration (outline). Outer Darkness is a place on the exterior of Heaven, far away from the brightness of the Wedding Hall, where the Marriage of the Lamb takes place.
If a believer finds himself in Outer Darkness, rather than attending the Marriage of the Lamb there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth - sobbing and wailing - as he realizes, albeit too late, that he was not properly attired to enter the Wedding Hall. For many are called, but few are chosen...Matt. 22:14. This is the last verse of the Parable of the Wedding Feast. Born again believers in Christ are invited to attend the Marriage of the Lamb, but few are selected to enter the Wedding Hall.
It is obvious that the Wedding Hall is a significant location. According to the Old Testament, what does it symbolize? Stay tuned...
God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question~~~
