The Parable of the Wedding Feast

Matthew 22:2-14

          2" The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready.  Come to the wedding."  5 But they made light of it and went there ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.  6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.  7 But when the king heard about it he was furious.  And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

8 Then he said to his servants 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.  9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find invite to the wedding.'  10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good.  And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.  12 So he said to him 'Friend, how did you come in without a wedding garment?'  And he was speechless.  13 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,' 14 " For many are called, but few are chosen."

EXPLANATION

The King in this parable is God the Father.  The king was having a wedding for his son and he sent his servants to invite everyone but everyone was apathetic and didn't want to come.  So he sent out other servant which shows Gods patience with those who ignore him.  He continues to send the invitation even after His goodness has been ignored.  But these servants were killed.  God's patience was exhausted.  He sent His army out to kill the murderers and burn the city to the ground.  This very incident occurred to Jerusalem in 70AD.  Even the temple was destroyed by fire and reduced to rubble, just as Jesus prophesied would occur.  God then sent his servants to the highways to gather any they could invite to the wedding.  This illustrates the free offer of the gospel and God's grace is for anyone to accept.  It is a free gift.  

          The man who did not have a wedding garment on obviously did not choose to wear one even though the king (God) supplied the garment rejected God's grace. His was a greater insult to God then the ones didn't come because he insulted God right in his presence. And he had no excuse. So God ordered him bound and thrown in "outer darkness" where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth" a description Jesus uses often to describe Hell.

APPLICATION

           

It is not a good thing for someone to ignore or reject the free gift of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. And that happens often when we share on faith and witness to someone. They are not ignoring or rejecting you they are rejecting or ignoring Christ.  If you're that person you are receiving another chance by reading this and it may or may not be you last chance to accept the free gift of salvation. If you are that person I strongly suggest you go to your knees and repent and take Jesus Christ into your heart and allow him control of your life

         

The Parable of the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:32-44

32 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and put forth leaves, you know that summer is near.  33 So you also, when you see these things, know that it is near---at the doors!  34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.  35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.  36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.  37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until, . 

Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40" Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.  41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be

taken and the other left 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.  43 But know this that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

EXPLANATION

          Some believe the budding of the fig tree represents Israel becoming a nation again which occurred in 1948.  I to believe this interpretation and believe we are living in the days of Noah. Earlier in the chapter Jesus talked about further about the end times. He says in verse 15 " Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation spoken by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place (whoever reads let him understand.) He was referring to the prophet Daniel speaking of the abomination and desolation of the temple by the Antichrist. In Israel today there is a major movement to rebuild the temple and it could be done in a short span of time. And this generation is certainly as wicked as in the days of Noah. So it is my belief that we are nearing the end times and the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

APPLICATION

          If we are in the end times as I believe are you ready to meet Jesus. If not I would tell you to get ready quickly.  Because as He said He would come as a thief in the night.  Are you saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit. If not you take this opportunity to repent and allow Jesus to be Lord of your life.  For if you're not saved the end times may fall upon you at any moment.

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

         

          1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise and five were foolish.  3 Those who were foolish took their lamps but took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 "And at midnight a cry was heard 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming go out; and meet him!'  7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to wise, 'give us some of your oil, for are lamps are going out.'  9 But the wise answered saying, ' No, lest there should not be enough left for us and you, but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.  10 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.  11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying,' Lord, Lord open to us!" 12 But he answered and said, ' Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'  13

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. 

EXPLANATION

          In those days the wedding would begin at the bride's house when the bridegroom arrived to observe the wedding ritual. Then a procession would follow as the bridegroom took the bride to his house for completion of the festivities.  For a night wedding lamps which were actually torches, were need for the procession.  In this parable the five wise virgins were ready because they brought extra oil for their lamps. They were prepared where as the other five foolish virgins had not and had to go buy some. By the time they returned the door was shut.  They asked the Lord to open the door for them but he answered that he did not know them.  They were not prepared when the Son of Man returned. That is the meaning of the parable to be prepared for His return at any time.

APPLICATION

          The parable of the ten virgins should show the importance of being ready for Christ's return at any time even if He delays longer than expected. For when He does come back there will be no second chances. So as the Apostle Paul wrote "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? ----- unless indeed you are disqualified."

2 Corinthians 13:5