Re:The Banquet of Matthew 22 - 2005/09/02 06:19My brother, I know we’ve been taught that 1 Corinthians is talking about the anointed, but it really isn’t. I realize that raises many questions and arguments, but if you have some time, read the Note on Inheritance at http://www.2001translation.com/inherit.htm before objecting. For if those who ‘inherit the Kingdom’ have a heavenly hope, the ‘sheep’ of Matthew 25 are the anointed, because they were told (in verse 34) ‘Come, you who have been praised by my Father, inherit the Kingdom that has been prepared for you from the founding of the world.’ Also, we’ve been taught that those who judge the world and angels are those who will judge ‘the twelve tribes of Israel.’ That isn’t necessarily so. For those who judge the ‘twelve tribes of Israel’ aren’t ‘judging the world’ at the same time. And, are we to assume that the angels in heaven will be judged again after the Devil has been cast down? That is illogical. So, the reference must be to the demons on earth. For more information, see the link http://www.2001translation.com/First%20Corinthians.htm#_Are_the_%91Holy_Ones%92_Higher_than_God. I know that in my last post I said that I’m not being dogmatic on this subject, which was true at the time, for I was unsure that what I had suggested was true. However, I’ll admit that after research and a compilation of more evidence, I’m getting there. Notice what I’ve found: Revelation 7:3 says, ‘Don’t harm the earth, the sea, or the trees, until after we’ve sealed the slaves of our God in their foreheads.’ Then they were numbered at 144,000. So, the slaves of our God are the anointed whose hope is to rule in heaven with Jesus. And they are also ‘the faithful and sensible slave’ of Matthew 24:45, the five ‘wise virgins’ of Matthew 25:9 (who apparently are ‘the bride’), and the ‘good and faithful slaves’ of Matthew 25:21, 23. Then Revelation 7:14-17 says, ‘They (the great crowd) are the ones that have come out of the great time of difficulty. They’ve washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. That is why they’re in front of the throne of God and worshiping Him day and night in His Temple. He who is sitting on the throne will spread His tent over them. They won’t be hungry or thirsty anymore, and the sun won’t beat down on them with blistering heat, because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them. He will guide them to the fountains of waters of life, and God will wipe all the tears from their eyes.’ So, they are not God’s slaves, as are the 144,000, they are simply disciples who have cleaned up their lives and made ‘their robes … white in the blood of the Lamb,’ which I would assume means that they have partaken of Jesus’ symbolic blood and flesh. Now, let’s look at Matthew 22:1-14. Notice that verses 3-6 say, ‘Then he sent His slaves to call those who were invited. However, [those who were invited] didn’t want to come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, Tell those I invited that {Look!} The dinner is prepared, bulls and fattened animals have been slaughtered, and everything’s ready. Come to the banquet! But, nobody paid any attention. One went out to his field, another to his business, and the rest grabbed his slaves, abused them, and then killed them.’ So, God’s slaves (the anointed) were those who did the inviting. And then they were treated as the anointed have always been treated… they were abused and killed! Therefore, the invited appear to be ‘the great crowd.’ And we don’t yet know how, but they will be invited in some way to ‘the wedding banquet of the Lamb’ just before Armageddon when the whole bride class is finally in heaven with Jesus (see the order of events in Revelation Chapter Nineteen). So, it doesn’t seem likely that this will be a heavenly banquet. As for the ‘the wicked and the good’ who are invited, it isn’t likely that the wicked would be invited to heaven for a banquet and then sent back, but the fact that one guest is identified as not being properly attired (dressed in white robes), means that some of ‘the great crowd’ won’t have made all the needed changes, and they (on earth) will be taken away from the banquet. What is the banquet? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Sorry if you may disagree, but this is what the scriptures appear to indicate.
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servent1
User Senior Boarder
Posts: 15
Re:The Banquet of Matthew 22 - 2005/09/03 07:18Hi how are u all its been awhile
As usual I have a question the invitations were rejected right by those who were originally chosen, now who were these ones?
Then if the invitation was to go out to those on the road heading out of the city gathering the good and the bad this would suggest that these ones have a form of worship to Jehovah would it not.
servent1
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JWHVACR
User Gold Boarder
Posts: 43
Re:The Banquet of Matthew 22 - 2005/09/03 07:56At this point I am willing to accept anyone's input, because as far as I know this is breaking new ground. It is obvious that Jesus was talking about the Jews when he spoke of those who wouldn't come to the banquet, but it is unclear as to what sort of king and city were being discussed. Could he have been thinking of a king and city in Judah, or just any hypothetical city and king? He just doesn't say. I could ask, what is the banquet and where will it be held? With the 'great crowd' be taken to heaven, or will they see the wedding from the earth, and what will the nations be doing while this is going on, if it comes before Armageddon? Also, if the great crowd represents only Christians who are wearing the white robes and who have cleansed themselves in the blood of the lamb, is there any hope for anyone else? There is a lot that I don't know yet. I am just studying to find out what all these things mean, because much of what we've been told is obviously wrong and needs further study.
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ablebodiedman
User Platinum Boarder
Posts: 353
Re:The Banquet of Matthew 22 - 2005/09/04 05:59Jim,
I am still researching and contemplating much of what you have said. I still need to fully read some of your articles. There are scriptures which both seem to support your different viewpoint and also some which don't.
I think it is an important topic to discuss as I believe the marriage is to happen soon.
I find it exciting to think about.
If it is to be on the earth and people did know where this marriage was to take place they would certainly attempt to go there.
In this way the scripture at Matthew 22 gets credence because some one not approved could then easily obtain a seat.
If it is in heaven however, this presents a problem as to how someone not invited or approved could obtain a seat.
ablebodiedman
Post edited by: ablebodiedman, at: 2005/09/04 06:00
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ablebodiedman
User Platinum Boarder
Posts: 353
Re:The Banquet of Matthew 22 - 2005/09/04 06:05Jim,
If someone did enough research and study to determine the time and place of the marriage could he then be considered like one of the virgins who had oil in their lamp.
Now is an important question:
If you did find out where and when this marriage was to take place, would you tell anyone?
regards
ablebodiedman
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JWHVACR
User Gold Boarder
Posts: 43
Re:The Banquet of Matthew 22 - 2005/09/04 07:03Would I tell anyone? God's Breath will tell us what to do. I don't have all the answers, but if I have started people thinking and searching, I have done what I should. And yes, the thought is exciting!!! I think there is so much more in store for us than we've ever imagined. And to think, there are people who are missing out on the chance to have a part, and there are hard working people who are being taught that the New Covenant isn't with them. I think of the Pharisees who traveled the earth looking for converts, then made them twice as much likely to end in gehenna.
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