Matthew 22:1-14 Wedding Feast Attire

[guero]

Jesus spoke a parable about a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and the parable ends with a man being thrown into outer darkness for not wearing wedding clothes. He apparently gives the parable to illustrate his final conclusion, "Many are called but few are chosen." So I was wondering what you all thought the wedding clothes represented? Have you drawn your own conclusions or what have you heard?

That the king came in to see the guests reminds us that we will be subject to an examination in the life hereafter. We will have a proper wedding garment if we are clothed with compassion, goodness, and brotherly love. But there are many who forget that this is necessary and include themselves among assembly, thinking great things of themselves. We have freedom to act in this life, but in the next, if we are not found worthy, we will be bound hands and feet unable any longer to accomplish anything by our own power of action. The guest is cast into the outer darkness. The inner darkness is the darkness of our own hearts, which we can try to remedy in this life, but in the afterlife there will be no remedy for the outer darkness. Many are called - indeed, all are called by God, but the action to accept the call and become one of the chosen is our part. Keep in mind, also, that this parable was spoken for the Jews who were called but were not chosen, since they did not listen.

Does it not seem odd that the king addresses the guest without a wedding garment as friend, despite the guest's transgression? He is a friend because of his faith, but not a friend at the same time because of his lack of love. The guest is silent when the king asks him why he has no wedding garment because he has no excuse. The king himself gave him this garment - in the form of the commandments to love one another and to love God - but somehow the guest lost it before arriving at the marriage feast.

[John146]

The term is not "righteousness." As best I can tell it is "righteous acts".

What "righteous acts" do we need to do to make ourselves clean? We are required to repent and put our faith and trust in Christ in order to be saved and made clean but is it not Christ's blood that actually makes us clean? I don't see how we can make ourselves clean by our own righteous acts. We need to have Christ make us clean by washing our sins away with His blood. If we could make ourselves clean with our righteous acts then why would we need Christ?

Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Does the above passage not indicate that we are made righteous because of Christ's righteousness (His righteous acts)?

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Don't passages like these make it clear that we are made clean by the blood of Christ? What good would our righteous acts do without His righteous act of shedding His blood for our sins? None. So, why would the clean garments represent anything than people being made clean and righteous by Christ's blood?

[Eyelog]

Eyelog just made an interesting post in post #21, in relation to it not meaning righteousness, but righteous acts. And if one looks in Rev 19, that is being linked to the fine linen, which I tend to think is meaning wedding garments possibly. If so, perhaps Matthew 22:11-12 could be understood as such.

Matthew 22:11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment(THE RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF SAINTS):
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment(THE RIGHTEOUS ACTS OF SAINTS)? And he was speechless.

Yes. See my #9

[Eyelog]

What "righteous acts" do we need to do to make ourselves clean? We are required to repent and put our faith and trust in Christ in order to be saved and made clean but is it not Christ's blood that actually makes us clean? I don't see how we can make ourselves clean by our own righteous acts. We need to have Christ make us clean by washing our sins away with His blood. If we could make ourselves clean with our righteous acts then why would we need Christ?

Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Does the above passage not indicate that we are made righteous because of Christ's righteousness (His righteous acts)?

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Rev 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Don't passages like these make it clear that we are made clean by the blood of Christ? What good would our righteous acts do without His righteous act of shedding His blood for our sins? None. So, why would the clean garments represent anything than people being made clean and righteous by Christ's blood?

Of course, but we are saved for works He prepared in advance for us to do. Eph 2:10.

Those who don't do what Jesus preaches in the Sermon on the Mount, fail to build their house on the rock. And check out the results of no works in the Parable of the Talents and the dividing of the sheep and goats, which is not a parable, but a similie explaining what will happen at the end of the Age.

If we rest on our acceptance of the subsitutionary righteousness of Christ for our own, then we won't do the works, and we will ultimately fail. Why? Because of the defn of living faith. Ja 2.

[divaD]

And check out the results of no works in the Parable of the Talents and the dividing of the sheep and goats, which is not a parable, but a similie explaining what will happen at the end of the Age.

Unfortunately tho, in regards to the sheep and goats, many professed Christians believe the goats to be all the bad folks in the world, which would include atheists for example. But atheists don't fit the context.

Matthew 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?


Seriously. What atheist would ask questions like that? IMO the goats are the unprofitable servants mentioned prior to the sheep and goats judgment. Also IMO, the unprofitable servant doesn't fit the profile of an atheist. That doesn't mean atheists don't or might not end up in the LOF. All it means is, atheists are not in mind here, someone else is. And I'm thinking it's the unprofitable servant myself.

[Eyelog]

Unfortunately tho, in regards to the sheep and goats, many professed Christians believe the goats to be all the bad folks in the world, which would include atheists for example. But atheists don't fit the context.

Matthew 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?


Seriously. What atheist would ask questions like that? IMO the goats are the unprofitable servants mentioned prior to the sheep and goats judgment. Also IMO, the unprofitable servant doesn't fit the profile of an atheist. That doesn't mean atheists don't or might not end up in the LOF. All it means is, atheists are not in mind here, someone else is. And I'm thinking it's the unprofitable servant myself.

I agree wholeheartedly with you, Div. I think it's one of those things in Scripture of which we can be certain.

Too much easy believism these days. Too much calling everything grace, to the point that by the description of many, we are not useful for the kingdom of God, and if we try, we are abusing grace!

But grace is bestowed on those who want to become part of the kingdom, and we are not part of the kingdom unless the result of grace is we become servants like the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who are not, are not part of the kingdom. Period. He gave grace in order to make us productive for Him.

2 Timothy 2:21
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.

2 Peter 1

⁸ For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; ¹¹ for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

[fewarechosen]

wedding garment = Holy Spirit in that parable

many are called to Him, few get Him

[Eyelog]

wedding garment = Holy Spirit in that parable

many are called to Him, few get Him

Hi, Few.

what Scripture in that parable and without say its the HS?

[fewarechosen]

Hi, Few.

what Scripture in that parable and without say its the HS?

i dont have a simple answer to that, mind you my post isnt to argue a point just speak my understanding.

i will attempt to give you a few of my thoughts as to some of the other scriptures and ideas that correlate, food for thought, if nothing sticks toss it away.

you posted this

"But grace is bestowed on those who want to become part of the kingdom, and we are not part of the kingdom unless the result of grace is we become servants like the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who are not, are not part of the kingdom. Period. He gave grace in order to make us productive for Him."

I agree on "those who are not, are not part of the kingdom"

Rom_8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his

the above scripture is to your point an speaks directly to what makes you His -Spirit of God - Spirit of Christ, I think we both agree thats Holy Spirit. Now the people who dont have garment dont have Holy Spirit and they get tossed into outer darkness - aka none of his.

here is anotehr scripture

Luk_5:36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old

the new garment is holy Spirit the old garment is flesh, it relates to the new wine in old wine skins its the same relationship. he uses "garment" for same reason he uses "wedding garment", written in parable.

some other points - pharisees were called and so were apostles - apostles got Holy Spirit (Free gift) pharisees didnt - sheep and goats.

the sheep an goats concept is also illustrated when moses asks who stands with God and the levites rally and he tells them to take a sword to the rest, sheep and goats

Rev_19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

the garment is pure and white, it is the rightousness of saints -which is the Holy Spirit its not our rightouesness its His you must be clothed in that to enter or you are none of his.

hope some of that made sense lol

He chooses you and bestows His free gift which is His righteousness which is the Holy Spirit which is his seal. our righteousness if there is such a thing doesnt do squat to get us into the kingdom.

My manners are horrible, Hello btw

[Eyelog]

i dont have a simple answer to that, mind you my post isnt to argue a point just speak my understanding.

i will attempt to give you a few of my thoughts as to some of the other scriptures and ideas that correlate, food for thought, if nothing sticks toss it away.

you posted this

"But grace is bestowed on those who want to become part of the kingdom, and we are not part of the kingdom unless the result of grace is we become servants like the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who are not, are not part of the kingdom. Period. He gave grace in order to make us productive for Him."

I agree on "those who are not, are not part of the kingdom"

Rom_8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his

the above scripture is to your point an speaks directly to what makes you His -Spirit of God - Spirit of Christ, I think we both agree thats Holy Spirit. Now the people who dont have garment dont have Holy Spirit and they get tossed into outer darkness - aka none of his.

here is anotehr scripture

Luk_5:36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old

the new garment is holy Spirit the old garment is flesh, it relates to the new wine in old wine skins its the same relationship. he uses "garment" for same reason he uses "wedding garment", written in parable.

some other points - pharisees were called and so were apostles - apostles got Holy Spirit (Free gift) pharisees didnt - sheep and goats.

the sheep an goats concept is also illustrated when moses asks who stands with God and the levites rally and he tells them to take a sword to the rest, sheep and goats

Rev_19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

the garment is pure and white, it is the rightousness of saints -which is the Holy Spirit its not our rightouesness its His you must be clothed in that to enter or you are none of his.

hope some of that made sense lol

He chooses you and bestows His free gift which is His righteousness which is the Holy Spirit which is his seal. our righteousness if there is such a thing doesnt do squat to get us into the kingdom.

My manners are horrible, Hello btw

I certainly see your point, Few. If you don't have the Spirit, you aren't saved, and if you aren't saved, you haven't got the substitutionary righteousness of Christ for our own rag-like 'goodness'.

From that stand point you could say the clothes are the seal of the Spirit, righteousness of Christ, and the righteous acts of the saints which He prepared in advance for us to walk in them.

mt 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.

I was just emphasizing that if we fail to do the works He's prepared in advance for us to do, we may fail to be wearing Christ or His righteousness as wearing a robe, and there is plenty of Scripture saying those who fail in that are not saved.

[John146]

Unfortunately tho, in regards to the sheep and goats, many professed Christians believe the goats to be all the bad folks in the world, which would include atheists for example. But atheists don't fit the context.

Matthew 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?


Seriously. What atheist would ask questions like that?

Why wouldn't they? I'm not seeing the basis for your argument here. None of the wicked, including atheists, will understand how He could claim that they saw Him hungry, naked, sick and so on and didn't take care of His needs. So, it makes sense to me that they (including atheists) would ask when they ever saw Him at all, let alone hungry, naked, sick, and so on.

IMO the goats are the unprofitable servants mentioned prior to the sheep and goats judgment.

I agree. But I think what you're not understanding is that God expects all people to be His servants. So, anyone who refuses to serve Him would be considered an unprofitable servant.

Also IMO, the unprofitable servant doesn't fit the profile of an atheist.

Why not?

That doesn't mean atheists don't or might not end up in the LOF. All it means is, atheists are not in mind here, someone else is. And I'm thinking it's the unprofitable servant myself.

Atheists have to be in mind in Matt 25:31-46 because it's clearly a depiction of the day of judgment. It's clearly the same event that is depicted here:

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Notice in Matt 25:41 that it says the goats will be cast into everlasting fire. Compare that to Rev 20:15. What else can the everlasting fire be than the lake of fire? And notice that it will be all whose names are not written in the book of life who will be cast into the lake of fire. That includes atheists. So, the goats must include atheists. Matt 25:31-46 is similar to the parables Jesus taught in Matthew 13 regarding the wheat and the tares and this one:

Matt 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

In this parable "the good"/"the just" are equivalent to the sheep and "the bad"/"the wicked" are equivalent to the goats. Just like the goats, the bad/wicked are cast into the fire. Atheists would obviously be among the bad/wicked. All people will fall into these two groups on the day Christ returns to judge the world. The wicked (goats) will be severed from among the just (the sheep). Whether they are called wheat and tares, sheep and goats, good fish and bad fish, the just and the wicked, etc. doesn't matter. The point is that all people will be gathered for judgment at the same time and will be divided into two groups with those who belong to Christ inheriting eternal life and those who don't belong to Him being cast into the everlasting lake of fire. That is the scenario that passages like Matt 13:36-43, Matt 13:47-50, Matt 25:1-13, Matt 25:14-30, Matt 25:31-46 and Rev 20:11-21:8 all portray.

[Noeb]

Unfortunately tho, in regards to the sheep and goats, many professed Christians believe the goats to be all the bad folks in the world, which would include atheists for example. But atheists don't fit the context.

Matthew 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?


Seriously. What atheist would ask questions like that? IMO the goats are the unprofitable servants mentioned prior to the sheep and goats judgment. Also IMO, the unprofitable servant doesn't fit the profile of an atheist. That doesn't mean atheists don't or might not end up in the LOF. All it means is, atheists are not in mind here, someone else is. And I'm thinking it's the unprofitable servant myself.

Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

What Christian would as questions like that? Both the sheep and the goat do not know that "as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." This they have in commons. Why would Christians be standing in jeopardy at Christ return? They wouldn't. Obviously these are not Christians. No Christian aware of Matthew 25 would ask this. Plain and simple.

[Noeb]

Why wouldn't they? I'm not seeing the basis for your argument here. None of the wicked, including atheists, will understand how He could claim that they saw Him hungry, naked, sick and so on and didn't take care of His needs. So, it makes sense to me that they (including atheists) would ask when they ever saw Him at all, let alone hungry, naked, sick, and so on.

Exactly.

The point is that all people will be gathered for judgment at the same time and will be divided into two groups with those who belong to Christ inheriting eternal life and those who don't belong to Him being cast into the everlasting lake of fire.

Guess if you don't believe in Christ's reign at his return this would be true. Context is his return. What one believes happens after that will determine what it means.

[divaD]

Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

What Christian would as questions like that? Both the sheep and the goat do not know that "as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." This they have in commons. Why would Christians be standing in jeopardy at Christ return? They wouldn't. Obviously these are not Christians. No Christian aware of Matthew 25 would ask this. Plain and simple.

It's all linked to the unprofitable servant IMO. Here's 90% of the problem when folks read and interpret certain Scriptures, speaking in general. They use Scriptures to judge others, when they should be using Scriptures to judge themselves. So when some professed servants of Christ reads passages such as Matt 25, they just can't see the goats being represented by any servant of Christ, so it has to be meaning atheists and stuff, etc. What's ironic about this, some of the same people that argue with me about this, they find OSAS to be unbiblical, which is exactly what Matt 25 proves via what happens to the goats.

Maybe a thread needs to be done on the unprofitable servant, and what that means, and who that might be, and why the goats wouldn't be the unprofitable servant?

[Noeb]

Who are Jesus' brethren?