If you are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above. Christ, the anointed, resides in this position, on the right hand of God, in a place of honor and authority. We are to set our affection on having understanding, learning to be wise, and directing our minds to seek the higher knowledge of God’s Kingdom (see Colossians 3). Our position should reflect us taking it to God and His Word first, our first love, instead of looking to the world for all the answers. His Word, the truth of our situation, was given to us to remind us of who we are in the body of Christ, and the Holy Spirit is our guide once we are born again. Yes, we must learn how to function in this world, but to be wise in Kingdom knowledge means we must submit to our assignment from God and choose Him. He provides for the fulfillment of His will as the Wedding Feast approaches.
For some in the Church (Ecclesia: the called out), that assignment will revolve around being positioned in finances, businesses, or industries. Yet, others will be set to help the body of Christ, building up the faith of the saints through other ministries, or through simply being a purveyor of light, representing Christ in less famous ways but no less important, i.e., pastors, ministers, or laity like Suzie down the street who works at the grocery store. There will be many in Heaven whose names you don’t know here on earth because they followed, obeyed, and were not only good and faithful servants performing their calling; they were chosen and called out. We should not forsake those whom God assembles together as He sees fit for His purposes. (Visit 2 Thessalonians 2:1; Hebrews 10:25. The word episunagoge is only used twice in the scriptures. First as gathering together in 2 Thessalonians and second as assembling in Hebrews.)
The parable of the marriage of the king’s son is found in Matthew 22:1-14. Let me focus on this: it matters what kingdom you choose to marry and believe is your source! Let me paraphrase the story to the best of my ability.
The king sent his servants to call “them that were bidden” for his son’s marriage, but they wouldn’t come. Again, he sends the servants out with a message, “tell those called, “Look! I have prepared my dinner. It’s all ready. Come now! To the nuptials of my son.” However, they could care less and did not regard his request. Men went back to their own lands (flesh); moreover, they returned to man’s way of business (monetary/business system). The remaining men who did not return seized the king’s servants, abused them and killed them.
When the king found out what the men had done, he was provoked to anger. He dispatched his troops and destroyed those murdering criminals, burning up their city. He tells his men, who are devoted, seeking to be at the nuptials, that those men who were called were not worthy and tells them to go to the highways and bid as many as they can find into the marriage. They did, bringing in all they found, both bad and good. The wedding was supplied with guests at the table (see also Psalm 23:5).
The King Enters The Wedding Feast
The king entered and looked closely at the guests. He perceived a man who had yet to invest in a covering, the outer robe for the wedding. The king asks him, “Friend, in what way did you enter here into the wedding not possessing the wedding robe?” And he was reduced to silence.
The king told his servants to fasten him with chains, hand and foot, and eject him into outer darkness. Where he cannot have access to the door. There will be a process of lamentation and grinding of teeth there. The reason is many are invited to the banquet, the wedding of the king’s son, as proclaimed by the Gospel, to obtain eternal salvation through Christ; however, few are hand-picked and chosen by God.
Could it be those men who went back into the world’s systems after being told that the dinner was prepared decided to serve peoples’ wants and fleshly desires, fully embracing mammon as their source? Was their spirit married to the spirit of mammon to the point they began to hate God? Did they desire and trust their riches, stature, and wealth more than a relationship with God? I contend they did. They returned to man’s marketplace to build what they desired and killed anyone who would say otherwise. They desired to make it easier on themselves through innovations, lessening the burdens of their assignments, not knowing it was increasing the gulf between themselves, the truth of His Word, and the Kingdom of God.
The one who was bound, hand and foot, taken away, and cast into outer darkness, ignorant of how to respect divine things and human duties, had blasphemed the Holy Spirit, trying to be at the banquet without a relationship with the King’s Son. He was not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ; therefore, his spirit was in bondage, not ready for the nuptials of the Son of God.
A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increase strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make they war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety.
Proverbs 24:5-6 (KJV)
I find it very interesting that the word for multitude in Proverbs 24:5-6 is the Hebrew word rob, pronounced like the word robe. A wise King shall not be robbed. His battle plan shall have rescue, salvation, and victory through a multitude, a covering, and a robe of righteousness through those called to His service, by Him alone.
The final banquet approaches and it is each person’s responsibility to make a decision to believe they are a child of God and look to Him for instruction through the Holy Spirit by accepting His Son’s finished works and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Are you clothed in the robe of righteousness? Are you in right standing with God having the covering of the blood of Jesus Christ upon you, being born again in the spirit, and made ready for the wedding of the Son of the King? Only you can answer this question, and only you will be held accountable for your decision to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life now as the Wedding Feast approaches and the call to enter the King’s Hall is given. If you have any doubts, we suggest you begin reading the Bible, asking the Holy Spirit to direct your path, and speaking with a local pastor so they can assist you with your journey. ~Shalom
Feature Image: Bigstock.com | Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the KING JAMES VERSION of the Bible.
