The unfaithful servant

[Prentis]

Hi all! I wanted to look into the parable of the man who did not have a wedding garment.

[sup]11[/sup] “But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. [sup]12[/sup] So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. [sup]13[/sup] 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.’
[sup]14[/sup] “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matt. 22)

First we must find out what the garment is.

[sup]8[/sup] 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. (Revelation 19)

Robes or garments reprensent man's righteousness. The man who arrives at the wedding is indeed one called of God, but rejected because he was an unfaithful servant!

I hope, over time, to draw a parallel between the parables of the unfaithful servant and what they mean! :)

 

[Insight]

Robes or garments reprensent man's righteousness. The man who arrives at the wedding is indeed one called of God, but rejected because he was an unfaithful servant!

Garments of salvation Isa 61:10; Psa 132:16; 2 Cor 5:2 who is Christ our righteousness.

 

[brionne]

Isaiah 61:10"...For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; with the sleeveless coat of righteousness he has enwrapped me, like the bridegroom who, in a priestly way, puts on a headdress, and like the bride who decks herself with her ornamental things.

Ephesians 5:27 "that he might present the congregation to himself in its splendor, not having a spot or a wrinkle or any of such things, but that it should be holy and without blemish.

God judges us based on our behavior and our conduct. I would say the garments of salvation are the good works, traits and qualities that identify us as christians. We just need to be sure we are fully enveloping ourselves in the qualities that God is looking for....if he finds us lacking, we may end up like that guest thrown outside.
Paul gave some words which can help us greatly in this regard:
Philippians 1:9, 10“This is what I continue praying, that your love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment; that you may make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ.”

Christ did say we had to work hard to get through the narrow door ... i know i've got a long way to go yet :wacko:

 

[Prentis]

Good post Pegg. In today's christianity the moment someone says we need to actually go and follow Christ, everybody starts screaming 'Works, works, works!'

Christ is not a free pass to heaven. Christ is our salvation, but he says follow me, and abide in me. Our salvation is moving, as long as we are folowing it and in it, we are safe. But the man who stops following Christ is not in Christ.

We completely misunderstand grace as being a free pass to heaven. Grace is given freely, but grace is the power to follow Christ. God gives us the strength. Does it matter what we do with it? Well, if we burry what was given us, we will lose all and be cast out. (There's parable number two!)

 

[Insight]

Christ is not a free pass to heaven.

Of course not!

Heaven is not the Christians destination

...but maybe you have not read Matt 5:5?

The Earth is promised to the righteous! Psa 37:9,10,11; Prov 10:30. Prentis, if we forsake the "World" and its lose doctrines, you shall inherit the "Earth"!

John 3:13 applies. I hope to see you put this error far from you Prentis. And once more for repetition ....where shall we reign? Rev 5:10.

Of course Matt 5:5 doesnt mean we are weak! only that we are teachable (as per Psa 25:9,10,11,12,13,14).

Psa 25:13 its all about the Land and Who owns it!

Insight

 

[Insight]

Isaiah 61:10"...For he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; with the sleeveless coat of righteousness he has enwrapped me, like the bridegroom who, in a priestly way, puts on a headdress, and like the bride who decks herself with her ornamental things.

Ephesians 5:27 "that he might present the congregation to himself in its splendor, not having a spot or a wrinkle or any of such things, but that it should be holy and without blemish.

God judges us based on our behavior and our conduct. I would say the garments of salvation are the good works, traits and qualities that identify us as christians. We just need to be sure we are fully enveloping ourselves in the qualities that God is looking for....if he finds us lacking, we may end up like that guest thrown outside.
Paul gave some words which can help us greatly in this regard:
Philippians 1:9, 10“This is what I continue praying, that your love may abound yet more and more with accurate knowledge and full discernment; that you may make sure of the more important things, so that you may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ.”

Christ did say we had to work hard to get through the narrow door ... i know i've got a long way to go yet :wacko:

Hi Pegg

Thank you for your post.

An interesting combination is presented with the garments

Garments:-

1. Priestly Exo 28:2,40; Psa 132:9,16; Isa 62:3; Exo 39:22
2. Bridegroom Psa 45 Rev 19 & 21
3. Warrior Eph 6:10-17

All of them are summed up in priesthood; our High Priest is a mediator between God (Himself) and man. The priest needed to be a warrior to unsure no unclean thing entered the tabernacle. He had to ensure he continually wore all three to maintain his love and dedication to the Father.


See 2 Co 10:3-5

"For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Let the Christian ponder the reward being offered to them who overcomes Rev 5:10.

Insight

p.s Note, no mention of supernatural monsters! The war is waged in the mind...where its either won or lost!

 

[Prentis]

The next parable is the parable of the landowner and the vinedressers, Matthew 21:33-45. In this parable Jesus shows forth that Israel did not bear the fruit it should have, and so the kingdom is given to another nation who will bear the fruits of it. If we link this with what Peter calls Christians, a 'peculiar people, a holy nation', then we know who he is talking about.

Only we fool ourselves into thinking that while Israel was cut off for not bearing the fruit, the same is not true of us. Yet Paul warns us: you will say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

We have been given riches in Christ, but if we do not bear the fruit of it, we will be cut off, either in this age or the next.

 

[jiggyfly]

The next parable is the parable of the landowner and the vinedressers, Matthew 21:33-45. In this parable Jesus shows forth that Israel did not bear the fruit it should have, and so the kingdom is given to another nation who will bear the fruits of it. If we link this with what Peter calls Christians, a 'peculiar people, a holy nation', then we know who he is talking about.

Only we fool ourselves into thinking that while Israel was cut off for not bearing the fruit, the same is not true of us. Yet Paul warns us: you will say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.

We have been given riches in Christ, but if we do not bear the fruit of it, we will be cut off, either in this age or the next.

In quoting Romans 11 about being "grafted in" what do you think verse 26, and how do/would you apply it to this discussion?

 

[Prentis]

Romans 11:26

[sup]26[/sup] And so all Israel will be saved,[sup][a][/sup] as it is written:
“ The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob

My understanding is that this does speak of natural Israel, and it speaks of them being being grafted in once again when the gentiles provoke them to jealousy because they truly become holy.

The word 'fulness' (of the gentiles) doesn't necessarily mean number, or amount, but complete. I believe it refers to the gentiles being Christlike and truly shining his light to the Jews. :)

 

[jiggyfly]

Romans 11:26

[sup]26[/sup] And so all Israel will be saved,[sup][a][/sup] as it is written:
“ The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob

My understanding is that this does speak of natural Israel, and it speaks of them being being grafted in once again when the gentiles provoke them to jealousy because they truly become holy.

The word 'fulness' (of the gentiles) doesn't necessarily mean number, or amount, but complete. I believe it refers to the gentiles being Christlike and truly shining his light to the Jews. :)

Well yes, and to keep it within context it would be all those who were cut out. So now with this applied does it change how you relate this to Christians being "cut out"?

 

[Prentis]

No. The same warning remains, those who bear no fruit are cut off.

I don't understand, to be honest, what it is that you talk about that would change my mind :) Could you explain?

 

[Comm.Arnold]

Not where I want to go Prentis it's funny all these people who think that love is all that matters and you can do whatever you want. I heard a lecture lately where the speaker mentioned that almost one third of Jesus dialogue were warnings against the evil one and bad behavior.

 

[Insight]

Romans 11:26

[sup]26[/sup] And so all Israel will be saved,[sup][a][/sup] as it is written:
“ The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob

My understanding is that this does speak of natural Israel, and it speaks of them being grafted in once again when the gentiles provoke them to jealousy because they truly become holy.

The word 'fulness' (of the gentiles) doesn't necessarily mean number, or amount, but complete. I believe it refers to the gentiles being Christlike and truly shining his light to the Jews.

Overall your thoughts concerning this passage are good and true.

And so all Israel shall be saved:

This does not mean that every living Jew will be saved when Christ comes, we see the future work of Elijah who will gather the lost tribes of Israel back to Israel in preparation of making Christ thier King. Along the way they will be purged of dross and sifted as sand. See Eze 20:38. Other prophets teach us apart from the rebels "they (natural Israel) shall all know Me!" See Jer 31:34; Eze 39:28,29.

as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

This is Cited from Isa 59:20,21. God will bring vengeance upon His enemies those who hate His people (Isa 59:17,18,19) We find when Israel is finally saved in her day of trouble which we all know is linked to the last days, the end of Gentile times! "For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of retribution, to uphold Zion's cause" (Isa 34:8).

This day we shall see the Consuming Fire of God’s wrath upon the nations as he takes His controversy to the peoples of the earth.

Insight

 

[jiggyfly]

No. The same warning remains, those who bear no fruit are cut off.

I don't understand, to be honest, what it is that you talk about that would change my mind :) Could you explain?

But according to the scripture that you referenced they are also grafted back in.

 

[Prentis]

Not 'are', 'can be'.

[sup]23[/sup] And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

There is no guarantee, and God is no respecter of persons. Those who turn to him are grafted in.

 

[veteran]

The Matthew 22 parable about the one without a wedding garment was really about the Pharisees, like an attempt to sneak into the wedding with strange apparel.

Zeph 1:7-10
7 Hold thy peace at the presence of the Lord GOD: for the day of the LORD is at hand: for the LORD hath prepared a sacrifice, He hath bid His guests.
8 And it shall come to pass in the day of the LORD's sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king's children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.
(KJV)

Matt 8:11-12
11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
(KJV)

Matt 13:49
49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just,
(KJV)

Isa 4:1-4
1 And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.
2 In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.
3 And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:
4 When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.
(KJV)

Ultimately, that one without a wedding garment is about one who had rejected Christ Jesus, per this...

Matt 22:2-6
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
(KJV)

That verse 6 idea is about those who slew God's prophets, so our Lord Jesus was very specific with that showing who He was pointing to, i.e., the scribes and Pharisees that were against Him.

Regarding the 'branches' Paul spoke of in Romans 11, he never included the believing remnants of the seed of Israel as 'ever'... being 'cut off'. That's who the first 5 verses are about specifically, the remnant of the seed of Israel according to the election of grace. It was that remnant seed of Israel that began the foundation of Christ's Church, which includes the OT prophets and Apostles, according to Paul...

Eph 2:19-22
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In Whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
(KJV)

 

[Prentis]

Men reject prophets without knowing that they do so. Christ was not recognized by his outer appearance, and neither were the prophets of old. People may claim to Christ and yet reject his prophets, and those who speak his heart.

To consider ourselves far from the danger of making the same errors as the Pharisees in itself is dangerous. We must understand that the messenger of God is not welcomed by the world, and when the church allies itself with the world, it perverts itself and does not recognize the voice of the Lord either. Our very human nature is set against the message of God.

It is when we consider ourselves to have attained, to have arrived, that we are in the greatest danger, ironically. It was also the error of the Pharisees; 'We are the sons of Abraham!'

 

[Insight]

Not 'are', 'can be'.

[sup]23[/sup] And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

There is no guarantee, and God is no respecter of persons. Those who turn to him are grafted in.

I understand your point but discounted when followed by "THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION; HE WILL TURN GODLESSNESS AWAY FROM JACOB:

You do not doubt his ability to achieve his end?

 

[Prentis]

I do not doubt this, and do not doubt men will turn to him.

But it still means the same, and goes with the rest of the message of the bible; those who turn to him will be saved, and grafted in. That will include some Jews when the time comes.

All of it comes togther when we understand that 'all Israel' refers to both Jew and Gentile in Christ, both Judah and Ephraim. Thus the prophecy that is given is that BOTH Jews and Gentiles who are in Christ shall be saved and be part of the heavenly Jerusalem. The point Paul is making is that the Jews also still have a place in God's plan. He will turn them to him. When Paul says he brings the Gospel to the gentiles, that they might be saved, will all be saved, or those who believe?

He will achieve his end, and a remnant will turn to him.

 

[Insight]

I do not doubt this, and do not doubt men will turn to him.

But it still means the same, and goes with the rest of the message of the bible; those who turn to him will be saved, and grafted in. That will include some Jews when the time comes.

All of it comes togther when we understand that 'all Israel' refers to both Jew and Gentile in Christ, both Judah and Ephraim. Thus the prophecy that is given is that BOTH Jews and Gentiles who are in Christ shall be saved and be part of the heavenly Jerusalem. The point Paul is making is that the Jews also still have a place in God's plan. He will turn them to him. When Paul says he brings the Gospel to the gentiles, that they might be saved, will all be saved, or those who believe?

He will achieve his end, and a remnant will turn to him.

Romans 11:1 is speaking of natural Israel only, and while Paul deals with the Gentile conversion he is here speaking to a remnant who have long been oppressed by the wicked Jews. This echoes Psa 94:14. The psalmist is grieving the oppression God’s people who were destroyed by wicked Israelites (Ps 94:1,2,3,4,5). Also see Rom 11:5 for context.

Rom 11:7 cmp Rom 9:17,18 !!!

Of course you understand that God turned to the Gentiles Rom 11:11 cmp Acts 13:42,43,44,45,46,47 to bring about jealously in His people.

Clearly in this chapter we have two groups.

1. Natural Israel (Jew and Proselyte)
2. Spiritual Israel (Including Jew & Gentile)

You may know the JW's actively teach that God has put off (forever) natural Israel. They seriously err in this belief!!! For they must need tear out all of Rom 11 to hold such error.

Thanks for your comments thus far Prentis.

Insight