Don’t get ahead of me – this is NOT about what you probably think it’s about. Or, as Inigo Montoya said, “I do not think it means what you think it means.” I’m referring to this recent bit of news from Navi Pillay, who is the Chairman of the United Nations Commission of Inquiry:

“Israel forcibly transferred almost the entire population into a small area that is unsafe and uninhabitable.
The deliberate use of heavy weapons with large destructive capacity in densely populated areas constitutes an intentional and direct attack on the civilian population.”

Pillay says the commission concluded that
►specific forms of sexual and gender-based violence constitute part of Israeli security forces operating procedures.
►The daily onslaught in Gaza has largely overshadowed a parallel wave of violence in the occupied West Bank.
►Since the Gaza war began in October more Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces or settlers there than in any recorded period.
►The violence, often ignored by Israeli forces, is due to both Israel’s increasingly militarized operations and a “surge in settler violence.”

The current Israelis (NOT “Israelites”) are guilty of the most horrific war crimes imaginable. They are not, nor should they be, excused because they are “blinded in part.” This is not God’s plan or God’s will. It is simply evil. These are not “God’s chosen people.” They are identity thieves and imposters.

My intent is – hopefully – to awaken a few Zionist Christians to see they have been duped. The “illusion” is that the Jews began to return to their ancient, God-given homeland in 1948. The “dis-illusion” is the evidence – now clearly manifest – that THIS is the “synagogue of Satan” that Jesus warned us about. It is beyond disgraceful that we should look the other way, try to manufacture “mitigating circumstances,” or believe cover stories from any Israeli apologists that justify this wickedness. Many come in Jesus’ name, claiming Jesus is the Christ, and they deceive many (Matt. 24:5). And by the way, committing evil in God’s name is unforgivable.

War against Lebanon is apparently in the very near future. Mr. Netanyahu cited Deut. 25:19 in his defense of Israeli military action against the people in Gaza. I wonder what scriptures he will cite to defend his action against Beirut. The Israelis could have become peaceful people and good neighbors in the middle east. They have not. Yes, there are most probably some true Jews in the mix, but they are far from a majority and they are not directing policy. Instead, a majority of faux-Jews oppress them and abuse them, and in some cases also starve, rape and murder them.

But not for much longer. “Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Two-thirds of the people in the land will be cut off, according to Zechariah 13:8-9. The remaining third will be refined:

And it shall come to pass in all the land,” says the Lord, “that two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one-third shall be left in it. I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘This is My people’; and each one will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ “

As for rapture expectation, which may be what the title suggested, I am not disillusioned nor should you be. Jesus is coming soon. Are you ready?

If you’re interested, here’s the presentation of the UN’s Commission: United Nations Commission of Inquiry: Israeli Officials RESPONSIBLE for War Crimes in Gaza

https://alonghighway12.wordpress.com/2024/06/21/no-dignity-in-deliberate-injury-part-3-honesty/

The news over this past weekend was not good. Hal Turner reported, and both DailyNews Egypt and WarNews247 confirmed, that there had been an air strike by Israeli military forces against the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) tent city for refugees at the border crossing in Rafah. Forty five people were killed, and hundreds were injured. The witnesses describe “Apocalyptic” scenes inside the tent city, with civilians decapitated and others blown literally to pieces by the bombing. A video captured an IDF laser-guided PAVEWAY bomb just before it struck a tent city and detonated.

A TENT CITY! This was not a military compound, a rebel stronghold, or a staging area for upcoming attacks by Hamas. No, this was a relief location for people who had been driven from their homes to the southern border, where Israel said they would be safe. Actually, they were pinned against the northern border of Egypt, which was constrained by international law regarding their options. These people had no resources, most were waiting for food, medicine and other forms of desperately needed relief. There was no threat to Israel, nor any apparent provocation.

Accordingly, the Israeli government offered no excuse or justification. Instead, the Israeli Defense Force simply ordered complete media censorship. No reports can be aired in Israel. This includes reports that there was an incident, or that shots were fired between Egyptian and Israeli armed forces, or that at least one soldier is dead. It appears that America’s mainstream media has been compliant.

This drove me to prayer, and also back to the book of Ezekiel. The idea that the Israelis are “God’s chosen people,” that they have a divine right to the land, and that these reprehensible acts are somehow morally justifiable, is a testament to the effectiveness of the Zionist narrative, as well as a frightening example of how otherwise presumably honest and decent American Christians will abandon their own common sense and neglect due diligence, instead deferring to political and religious leaders – the “experts.”

Read Ezekiel! God drove the Israelites from His land because “they defiled it by their own ways and deeds.” To Him, he said, “their way was like the uncleanness of a woman in her customary impurity.” (Ezek. 36:17) He told His people what He did and why He did it. Then, He gave them a promise: “I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land.” (verse 24)

But “bring you into your own land” was just part of the promise. He also said in the following verses that He would “sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:25-27 NKJV – emphases added)

PLEASE! Stop listening to your favorite “prophecy experts” and THINK! Are these so-called Jews “clean?” Is there ANY evidence that they have abandoned idolatry, that they have new hearts, are Spirit-led, or are keeping the statutes and judgments of God? Do you really think that this promise was fulfilled in May of 1948, seventy-six years ago?

I sure don’t! Almost 2 years ago I started questioning the identity of these people who staked a claim in Palestine and, with the UN’s support, created the “State of Israel.” At the time, I was open to what’s called the “Khazar Theory” – especially since genetic research by Dr. Nathaniel Jeanson of Answers in Genesis seemed to support it. However, Jeanson isn’t the only one to do genetic research, nor is the Khazar Theory the only one out there. An article by Lawrence Erickson posted on The Unz Review explains Religious Implications of the Carthaginian Theory. His thesis is that “the bulk of modern Jews descend from Carthaginian/Phoenician converts, who began to convert to Judaism following the Roman destruction of Carthage in 146 BC.“ Whether either or neither of these ideas is correct, we should at least open our eyes to the possibility that Jesus was giving us a serious warning in Rev. 2:9 and 3:9.

Zionism has the earmarks of a brutal political philosophy enforced by intelligent but violently wicked people. This is not my indictment against all the people in the State of Israel, just as my denunciations of America’s corrupt DeepState government should not be construed as an indictment of the American people. Clearly, there is a LOT of corruption in high places, but “God brought His chosen people back to the land in unbelief” is a pathetic, and unbiblical response. God NEVER SAID that when He brought His people back, they would be as they were when He drove them out. Again: read Ezekiel – they would be His people and He would be their God. He would deliver them from their uncleanness. They would remember their evil ways and their deeds that were not good, and they would loath themselves for their iniquities and their abominations. (Ezekiel 36:29-31) Check out Tel Aviv and then tell me this has been fulfilled. Did you know that Israel’s abortion law is among the world’s most liberal? Their government approves free pregnancy termination for nearly all women. How does God feel about hands that shed innocent blood?

At some time in the future – and I expect the very NEAR future – God will cleanse His land. Two thirds of the people in the land (and Zechariah does not say they are Jews) will be cut off (Zech. 13:8) and those who remain will be refined. God will say, “This is My people” and each one will say, “The LORD is my God.” I believe there still ARE some biological descendants of Jacob in the land, very possibly on BOTH sides of the wall dividing the “Palestinians” from the Israelis. When Ezekiel 37 is fulfilled, these will be gathered into the midst of the land, their number being augmented by the resurrection of righteous Jews of all ages. The kingdom will be restored, and King David will shepherd them during the final ‘week’ as God pours out His wrath on the rest of the world. The ‘dry bones’ prophecy has NOT been fulfilled.

I won’t repeat what I wrote last August, but you may want to review The Peaceful People Who Dwell Safely to get a more complete (and Biblical) understanding of this prophecy. I also did a follow-up last October: Dry Bones. In the meantime, pray, lift your voice, and put away your checkbook. The “Temple Institute” people are not our friends. Neither are the pro-Zionists in our government, who put the interests of the “State of Israel” ahead of the interests of our country or the innocent people in several countries who have no voice but become “collateral damage” as the carnage continues. I wish we could provide safety or groceries for the suffering people in the middle east but I’m unaware of any honest agency that can be supported to that end. This is not a problem that can be solved the “American way” – by throwing money at it. We need to earnestly pray that God will intervene. That’s what I’m doing.

And they went into the ark to Noah, two by two, of all flesh in which is the breath of life. So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.

Genesis 7:15-16 NKJV

One of the current narratives in the eschatosphere is that those to be delivered from the judgment soon to begin on Planet Earth have been “sealed in the ark” as of last Saturday, May 18th, the final day of the Jonah probation. Per the pattern of the days of Noah (see Matthew 24:37, Luke 17:26), the “lifting” of those preserved can be expected seven days later, which is this Saturday, May 25th … which just happens to be the 17th day of the second month (17 Iyyar) on the Hebrew calendar (see Genesis 7:11). What a “coincidence” – right??

Well, let’s play with this a little more. We see in Genesis 7:24 that “the waters prevailed on the earth one hundred and fifty days.” If some form of global judgment starts on Monday (when the World Health Organization will allegedly gain transcendent medical authority over almost all of the planet) and runs for 150 days, that brings us to October 25th. Let us suppose the Two Witnesses of Rev. 11:3-12 begin their public ministry three days later. Per Rev. 11:3 their ministry lasts 1,260 days, so it would end on Passover, April 10, 2028. If The Dragon gets his 42-month (Rev. 13:5) grant of global authority on Samhain/Halloween of this year, it would end when Rev. 11:11 is fulfilled, which would be April 13, 2028.

For us, of course, it’s an academic exercise and perhaps nothing else. We check out – one way or another – well before all of these prophecies will be fulfilled. However, for the Aischynō Christians, (or Fifth Seal Christians), it might be encouraging or at least helpful to know what to expect. And we can’t help but notice that the inflection points in this time line are on Halloween and Passover.

Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed (lit. “coffin”), and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.

– Rev. 2:20-22 NKJV (emphasis added)

We know from this passage that those believers who have not repented of their spiritual adultery when the trumpet sounds will experience “great tribulation.” This is the third period of great tribulation explicitly mentioned in scripture (see The Pre-Tribulation Equivocation for clarification).

This leads to at least one obvious difficulty. It would appear that the Aischynō Christians are NOT sealed in the ark. This would strongly suggest that they are not saved and will not be saved. But in this context, “salvation” may be the limited sense of Rev. 3:10. Salvation from sin is not in view; rather, those saved in the ark are saved “from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.” It’s clear from explicit scripture that some believers remain on the earth (Rev. 12:17). That “hour of trial” may be the first four seals explained in Rev. 6:1-8.

Again – simply conjecture … but it does seem to make a consistent narrative with no internal contradictions: the four horsemen complete their assignments, and then we see “the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held” under the altar, waiting for “both (the number) of their fellow servants and their brethren…” The “clarifying” words in parentheses are provided by the translators but are not in the original. I’d suggest that the souls under the altar are waiting for just two more people to join their number, and those two are the Two Witnesses mentioned above.

We see major wars on the very near horizon. I’d expect that the kind of people who read blogs like this are well aware of the global flash points in Taiwan, the Congo, Niger, Ukraine, the middle east, Iran, Russia and many other places, with the list growing daily. That’s all for the rider on the red horse. At the same time, global supply lines providing food to much of the world are also being attacked and broken. Famine on a massive scale is becoming more likely every day. Add to that the collapsing of world financial systems and the “bird flu” fear mongering (hint: “Covid” was a beta test) and we see reasons to expect the future described when the first four seals of Revelation chapter 6 are opened.

This is not “fear porn” – it’s simply reality. We desire the end of evil and the establishment of global righteousness, and we should reasonably expect that the transition will be painful and messy. Ignoring reality or refusing to recognize prophecy being fulfilled is unwise at best, and is arguably disobedience against Jesus’ command to “watch” and to not be like the hypocrites who “cannot discern the signs of the times” (Mark 13:37, Matt. 16:3) .

I’m not fully persuaded that “the ark has been sealed” or that the rapture will happen this week. Like many of you, I’ve seen too many dates that appeared to be “it” and had those dates come and go with no departure, no last trump … nothing. This Saturday seems a likely rapture possibility, but if we’re still here on Sunday, more possibilities will come into view. In the meantime, we are still commanded to watch and wait expectantly for the return of our glorious King. Until then, we continue to work the works of Him who sent us, because the night IS COMING when no one can work (John 9:4).

Hope to see you “on the mezzanine.”

We’re familiar with the concept:  you cry out to someone or appeal to someone or “send a letter to your Congressman and demand action” and you get no response.   Crickets.

It’s somewhat maddening, but in some cases probably justified.  After all, if the person to whom the appeal has been made has appealed to YOU in the past and the appeal was ignored, well … what should you expect?

And that’s where God seems to be.  After all, I would not expect the average atheist or agnostic or humanist to know much about the story of Jonah.  I would not expect an unbeliever to know that the sun, moon and stars were put in the heavens by God “for signs and seasons.”  I would not expect the average carnal man to think much about God judging the world.

But for those in the churches and especially those who claim to be Christians, it is perfectly reasonable for God to expect them to be at least somewhat conversant on the very basics of the Bible story.  Christians should know that Jesus came, forgave sins, was crucified, and said He would return.  Since He compared Himself to Jonah, they should have some idea of who Jonah was.  They should know something about the first Passover and the Exodus story. 

And if they don’t know, it’s not an indictment against churches or pastors.  This is basic Christianity 101.  Christians – especially in America – are properly expected to read their Bibles.  Free Bibles in ANY version are readily available.  It’s all online.  Bible apps, printed Bibles, Bible radio programs, Bible TV programs, Bible on YouTube … legal and available in any format 24/7.  Audio Bibles or Bibles in any language.  Men – and most especially Christians in America – are without excuse.

So God has traced a giant black X over the U.S.  People who should have been watching generally shrugged.  This is not the first time God offered a sign which was ignored.  It also happened at the time of the Exodus.  “Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign.” (Exodus 4:8)  I would suggest we have had at least two signs already; warnings to those paying attention that God is about to intervene once again in human history.

Next will come catastrophe – maybe this week, maybe this month, maybe in May or June.  Something bad WILL happen, and then … then the tears and the prayer meetings and the crying out to God oh God help us please please!!!

And all they will hear is cicadas.  A TRILLION of them.  90 decibels I’m told … like a power lawnmower.

Crickets. 

We’ll see, of course.

Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?

Isaiah 58:6-7, NKJV

We are approaching what is arguably one of the most serious and pivotal times in world history. We may hear appeals for fasting and for gathering in “solemn assemblies” and these are certainly appropriate appeals. But we need to get the “fasting” part right. Usually, we think of fasting as various deprivations: don’t eat, don’t watch TV, leave “social media” alone, refrain from intimacy – items like that. The severe fast called for by the king of Nineveh (Jonah 3:6-8) included fasting from water, from comfortable clothing, and from furniture.

How serious are we? Would we sit and sleep on the floor, wear burlap (“sack cloth”), and not eat or drink because of grief over wickedness, and abject terror when considering God’s quickly-approaching, fierce and almost certainly unappeasable wrath against us?

Don’t misunderstand – I am not saying that New Testament believers should fear the wrath of God. Neither am I saying we should break out the burlap and stop eating. What I’m pointing out is that God did not change His attitude about sin because of Calvary. He still hates it, and we should also. The Ninevites took this seriously, and we should also. We cannot be cavalier or indifferent about sin just because we need not fear its eternal consequences. There are still consequences – it’s just that, for Christians, eternal separation from God is no longer one of them.

If we take sin and God seriously, we may lose our interest in food for a season. However, the verses above describe the “fast” that includes groceries and yet may move God. We see in Jonah 3:8 the part of Nineveh’s response that persuaded God to relent from overthrowing the city: “… let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.“

God wants us to fast from evil and violence. He doesn’t want hungry people; a famine would produce that. Rather, He wants merciful people. He wants compassionate people. This is not complex or nuanced theology. It’s a call to change both hearts and behavior.

We often quote 2 Chron. 7:14 where it says, “If My people … will turn from their wicked ways …” It’s not a call to attempt to change others. It’s a call to personal and corporate repentance. Are we humble before God? Do we pray … or just complain and ask for stuff? Do we seek His face? Do we really want Him, or just what we think He may do for us?

The king of Nineveh knew why God’s judgment was coming: his subjects had evil ways, and violence in their hands. Most Americans are probably aware of societal evil. Many enjoy violence for entertainment. How many see judgment coming? Nineveh took this seriously. Sadly, it still appears that most Americans don’t.

But what about American Christians? How serious are we about pleasing God? How interested are we in becoming the people He has called us to become? “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). How aggressively do we pursue peace and cultivate personal holiness? How badly do we want to see Him?

There is no reason to wait until April 8th before starting God’s CHOSEN fast. The “bonds of wickedness” are certainly in the culture, but they may also be in us. We are the ones bound by the compromises with evil we find so easy to make. We’re living in a debauched culture where every sort of sin and perversion is being “normalized,” and many of these despicable behaviors are seen as “rights” and are protected by law. “As it was in the days of Lot …” (Luke 17:28) sure comes to mind. Frequently. How much of this “normalcy” are we comfortable with? How much do we participate in?

That “heavy burden” may be the one Jesus offers to replace (see Matthew 11:28-30). I leave it to you, the reader, to unpack Isaiah 58:6-7 and see what may apply specifically to you. The kingdom of Heaven is at hand; the time is short. What are you doing about it?

I went down to the moorings of the mountains; the earth with its bars closed behind me forever; yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord, my God. When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer went up to You, into Your holy temple.

Jonah 2:6-7, NKJV (emphasis added)

With the upcoming “Nineveh eclipse” which will occur on April 8th, I’ve taken a deeper look at both Jonah and Nahum. After all, as we read in 1 Cor. 10:11 “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” There are some VERY relevant treasures to be mined by digging into these prophecies. I recommend you begin by reviewing this brief article on Ancient Nineveh which will give useful background information. The connections to Nimrod and Ishtar (‘Easter‘) should be noted.

Jonah is seen as the “reluctant prophet” because of his obvious unwillingness to obey God and go to Nineveh. This reluctance on his part can be understood by studying some of the history of the vicious people who lived in Nineveh and their treatment of the Jews. As we know, Jonah finally submitted to God, went to Nineveh, and preached a short message of imminent judgment against the city: “Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” (Jonah 3:4). In today’s language, it was “Plan A is the complete destruction of Nineveh in 40 days, and there is no Plan B.”

Still, the people of Nineveh apparently thought they had an option: repent with the hope that God might relent. Jonah recorded their repentance and God’s mercy. Nahum tells us what happened to Nineveh 150 years later when they eventually forgot both Jonah’s warning and God’s hatred of persistent unfaithfulness. The means God would have used in Jonah’s day had the Ninevites not repented were no doubt different from what God used when He destroyed Nineveh – different means but the same result.

There are two particular elements of this narrative that I would like to briefly explore: 1) Jonah’s prayer and 2) Nineveh’s eventual judgment, as described by Nahum. Then I’ll consider the possibility that these ancient prophecies may have a very direct and immediate connection to these last days.

Almost all of our modern Bible translations are primarily based on the Masoretic text, which I have found to be somewhat problematic. For this reason, I usually also look at Old Testament texts as they are rendered by the Septuagint (abbreviated “LXX”). Jonah’s prayer seems strange to me because it reads more like a theological statement than what we would expect: a desperate appeal to God for mercy from someone who was dying! I mean, if you’d been swallowed by a great fish and thought you were going to die, and you knew it was because you had disobeyed a direct command from God Himself, what would your prayer sound like?

“You have brought up my life from the pit” is the Masoretic rendering. True enough, one might think, but the Septuagint renders it with the much more urgent and believable “Let my ruined life be restored!“ (This is a prayer most of us have probably prayed, perhaps at the initial point of salvation.) After all, God could have raised up another prophet to take Jonah’s place. Jonah certainly knew he was not indispensable.

When my soul was failing me (that is, Jonah knew he was dying), I remembered the Lord; (his last conscious act was prayer):

O Lord my God, let my ruined life be restored, and may my prayer come to You in Your holy temple (This is the desperate and honest prayer of a frightened and broken man). 

Those who observe vanities and lies have forsaken their own mercy (this is prophetic – he is speaking of those who will receive God’s judgment), but I will sacrifice to You with the voice of praise and thanksgiving (Jonah contrasts his intentions with “those who observe vanities and lies”). 

All that I have vowed I will pay to You, the Lord of my salvation (Jonah makes a commitment, perhaps after he received assurance that his prayer would be answered).

Jonah 2:6-7 Septuagint (LXX) emphasis added

There may be something here for us. Is Nineveh an old testament type of the United States? After all, some of the descriptions Nahum gave of ancient Nineveh apply well to us, including “the mistress of sorceries, who sells nations through her harlotries and families through her sorceries.” (Nahum 3:4) Selling nations through harlotries could point to either the international pornography industry or the activities of those like Mr. Epstein; the U.S. being a major leader of both. ”Sorcery” in Greek is “pharmakeia” and this is also a major global industry, dominated by American businesses. Both pharmaceuticals and street drugs could be in view – the U.S. championing both.

Will the upcoming eclipse be the beginning of a 40-day “last chance” for national repentance, following the pattern of Jonah? And if repentance is not forthcoming, can we properly expect that the judgments described in Nahum will be visited on America? Or is this all a pessimistic and unwarranted conjecture from the eschatospheric fringe? I leave that for your prayerful consideration.

There were several fierce judgments described in Nahum, some of which were experienced by the Ninevites. The city-state was destroyed by a military campaign brought against it by the Medes and the Babylonians in 612 BC. Their attack was facilitated by the flooding of the Khosr River which washed away part of the city wall. However, Nahum suggests other judgments that were not part of the destruction of Nineveh, including hurricanes/tornadoes (Nahum 1:3), drought (v. 4), massive earthquakes and possible volcanoes (v. 5), and darkness (v. 8). 

IF this is a warning to end-times “Nineveh” then the invasion over the southern border (and the criminal misbehavior of those who have already “immigrated”) is just one of many unpleasant things that could be in our very near future if national repentance is not immediately forthcoming. We could also see massive seismic events such as a major New Madrid earthquake, the eruption of the Yellowstone caldera (currently deemed both unlikely and unpredictable), severe meteorological events or weather warfare, Poseidon-generated tsunamis, and “darkness” (EMP attacks and grid failures). Suggesting the possibility of these sorts of things may seem like over-the-top fear mongering, especially to the average American who may think that the worst things that could happen any time soon are $10 per gallon gasoline or the re-election of Donald Trump. This also I must leave to your prayerful consideration.

IF the upcoming eclipse signals the beginning of a 40-day window, within which America must either repent or face destruction, that window closes on May 18th, which is the day before Pentecost. IF the Rev. 12 sign that appeared on September 16, 2023 was the initiation of a “cosmic pregnancy” that term ends on Shavuot, June 12, 2024. We could properly expect increased spiritual activity and sensitivity, and there could also be some definitive action or policy implementation or cultural events that strongly signal America’s response to God’s final offer some time in the very near future.  It may be much later than most people think.

–

But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?‘ And he was speechless. 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.’

Matthew 22:11-13, NKJV

Wedding feasts are a fairly well-known motif in the parables of Jesus, though He threw some unexpected elements into the mix. And more than one Bible expositor has wandered off into the woods by misunderstanding some of those elements. But I think with some due diligence in identifying the themes and obvious elements, the rest can be safely surmised without unwarranted imaginative speculations.

So what’s this story about? I think it’s safe to say Jesus was talking about God the Father having a wedding feast for Jesus, and that we should expect a “bride” and wedding guests. The presence of the bride must be assumed and this is a reasonable assumption, but she’s not mentioned because the parable is not about her. Rather, it’s about the guests.

And who might they be? The Jews, looking through the Old Testament catalog of types and figures, might have a problem with this. They understood “Israel” to be the wife of God. Everyone else – the “not Israel” crowd – would be “gentile dogs” (or worse) in the contemplation of the Jews. For us, we’d see the probability that the king called his guests without racial distinction. His instructions were to go everywhere and invite “as many as you find.” 

So we have a wedding, a bride and groom, and guests. And among the guests is one without a wedding garment. According to https://bible-history.com/biblestudy/marriage “all guests were given special garments, clothing of festivity.” So the host provided the wedding garments to the guests, and for whatever reason this particular guest was not properly attired.

So what “garment” might be in view? The usual thought is that all believers are automatically clothed with the righteousness of Christ. But in Galatians 3:27 we read, “for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” 

A few thoughts here: first, that “as many of you” suggest a segment of the total audience. In other words, the suggestion may be that Paul was saying, “This applies to those of you who were baptized into Christ.“ ”Putting on Christ” is equated with being baptized into Him, and presumably those who trust Christ for remission of sins can either “put on Christ” or not. What does it mean to “put on Christ?” Perhaps “take on His characteristics and values” as suggested by one commentator at BibleHub. This makes it appear that “putting on Christ” is a post-salvation option. However, 1 Cor. 12:13 seems to say that the spiritual experience of baptism (presumably distinct from water immersion) is the entry point to the body of Christ. That is, “putting on Christ” happens automatically as soon as someone is saved. In this case, the saved person does not properly “put on” Christ, but Christian character is automatically put on him. So there are several perspectives, and we must ask: which squares with both scripture AND experience?

Second, maybe just a reference to water baptism, as others believe. I’ve explored this a bit in other blog posts, but simply encourage every unbaptized believer to study each scripture that deals with baptism and come to your own prayerful conclusion, and then obey your Spirit-led conclusions. One point that needs to be made is that is the spiritual experience and not the water ritual that establishes the reconciled relationship between a man and God.

My own conclusion is that these folks who don’t have a wedding garment and are relegated to the “outer darkness” are saved people. This does not speak to justification, but rather to sanctification. And while sanctification is both possible and available, it is not automatic. It is initiated at the point of salvation, but its development happens only with human effort. We are commanded to “grow up in all things in Christ” and “put on the new man” (Eph. 4:15, 24). Like any command, we can obey or disobey. But there are severe and eternal consequences for disobedience.

Sanctification, in the last place, is absolutely necessary in order to train and prepare us for heaven. Most men hope to go to heaven when they die; but few, it may be feared, take the trouble to consider whether they would enjoy heaven if they got there. Heaven is essentially a holy place; its inhabitants are all holy; its occupations are all holy. To be really happy in heaven, it is clear and plain that we must be somewhat trained and made ready for heaven while we are on earth.

We must be saints before we die, if we are to be saints afterwards in glory. The favorite idea of many, that dying men need nothing except absolution and forgiveness of sins to fit them for their great change, is a profound delusion. We need the work of the Holy Spirit as well as the work of Christ; we need renewal of the heart as well as the atoning blood; we need to be sanctified as well as to be justified.

It is common to hear people saying on their death-beds, “I only want the Lord to forgive me my sins, and take me to rest.” But those who say such things forget that the rest of heaven would be utterly useless if we had no heart to enjoy it! What could an unsanctified man do in heaven, if by any chance he got there? No man can possibly be happy in a place where he is not in his element, and where all around him is not congenial to his tastes, habits, and character.

Holiness, J.C. Ryle (1887) p. 34 (emphasis in original)

Ryle seems to go to the point that some level of sanctification is NECESSARY in order to go to heaven. I think Matthew 22 refutes that notion. Salvation is still by grace, through faith, not of ourselves. Christ CLEARLY does for us what we could NEVER do for ourselves. 

But what’s next? If sanctification is also totally of Christ and is automatic in the life of the saved man, then why all the rest? Why are we directed to strive toward holiness if it’s automatic? Why are we admonished to grow in grace, to grow up in all things in Christ, if it’s God’s plan to reward equally those who obey Him and those who don’t?

I think we know the answer, and it has something to do with getting serious about personal, Biblical holiness. Maybe turning off the TV, throwing some unwholesome books and magazines into the trash, committing to regular personal Bible study, and earnestly applying the Word of God to our daily lives. Taking God and the Bible seriously – VERY seriously – as we see Jesus’ return drawing nearer.

I close with a modern parable that may illustrate this “outer darkness” thing more clearly. A man has three sons, a 10-year-old, a 5-year-old, and an infant son of 6 months. He takes all three to Chuck E Cheese for an afternoon of fun. (I mean, how cool is that??) The eldest is in a venue designed for him, and he can play all the games and engage in all the available activities. There are some things the second son can also do, but some things are just beyond him. For the infant, he remains in his infant carrier, off to the side and out of the way. He can’t participate at all, because he’s simply too immature. He’s as much a son as the other two, but he is relegated to “outer darkness.”

Jesus is not interested in an immature bride. This is one reason I hold to the idea that the bride of Christ is a subset of the church. There are still believers among us who simply have no interest in growing up. I’m not judging anyone; it’s way too late for that. Personal holiness is not instantaneous, nor is it a spiritual gift. It encompasses spiritual fruit, which we’re all expected to grow. How’s your wedding garment coming along?

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.