The Church Triumphant E-Book

Betsy E. Caram

• Herausgeber: Zion Christian Publishers
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Beschreibung

The purpose of the Church Triumphant is to make God's people aware of the awesome inheritance that awaits them in eternity. When Christ returns again He is coming for a Triumphant Church, a Church without spot or blemish. He is coming for a people who have not only been called to go to heaven, but also to become the bride of Christ.To be the Bride of Christ is a high and holy calling. However, there are qualifications that must be met. Revelation 19:17 tells us that the Bride must prepare herself: "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready."

Leseprobe

The Church Triumphant:

The Bride Has Made Herself Ready

Printed in the United States of America

Version 2.0

The Bride Hath Made Herself Ready

© 2007 Betsy Caram

Front cover Design:

© 2007 Zion Fellowship, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

Cover images:

© 2007 Audrey Pustovoy, Konstantin Sutyagin,

George M Muresam. Images used by permission

through license agreement with istockphoto, Inc.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations in this book are taken from the

King James Version Bible unless otherwise stated.

Published by Zion Christian Publishers

Second Edition September 2010

Published as an e-book on October 2017

in the United States of America

E-book ISBN 1-59665-700-6

For more information, please contact:

Zion Christian Publishers

A Zion Fellowship ® Ministry

P.O. Box 70

Waverly, New York 14892

Phone: [phone]

Toll free: 1-877-768-7466

Acknowledgements

We wish to extend thanks to all the following:

To Mary Humphreys—as the general editor of my book, and her overall input into the flow of this book.

To Justin Kropf—for his diligence and proficiency in the formatting of this book.

To Carla Borges—for her artistic input and creative design for the cover of this book.

To Rebecca Russell, Phillip and Jessie Vaughn—for their meticulous final touches in the proofreading of this book.

Chapter One

WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD FOR OUR LIVES?

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this book is to make God’s people aware of the awesome inheritance that awaits us in eternity.  For we are not only called to go to heaven, but we have also been called to become the Bride of Christ. He is coming for “The Church Triumphant,” a Church without spot or blemish. To be His Bride is a high and holy calling. However, there are qualifications that must be met—the Bride must prepare herself. In Revelation 19:7, we read: “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”

We are aware that it is a commonly accepted belief that the Bride of Christ includes every blood-washed believer. Therefore, one of the main purposes of this book is to more closely examine Scriptures that provide overwhelming evidence that the Bride is in fact a group that has qualified for this position from among the redeemed. While we understand that this is perhaps a new concept to some, our desire is to challenge believers everywhere that all the promises pertaining to the Bride of Christ are only for those who overcome.

Christ loves His Church, and He loves His people unconditionally. Yet, He will only be wedded to a wife who “has made herself ready.” He will only be wedded to that one who represents Him, and who reflects His character. Christ will only have a wife that is pure and unblemished; she will not be fleshly, immature, or carnal. Therefore, because the Church as a whole is not willing to accept this process of becoming ready, and they are not fully willing to give themselves totally to God, many disqualify themselves from the wonderful call of becoming the Bride of Christ.

The reality that this call is open to all is the Good News of the Gospel.  However, if we do not heed this call or do not prepare ourselves, we will eventually come to understand and regret the consequences of this decision. But by that time, it will be too late! “Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were biddenwere not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests” (Matt 22:8 10).

Some might ask, “Just what do you mean by the Gospel of Good News?” In essence, the Gospel is Jesus Christ—crucified, risen, and ascended. Our loving heavenly Father gave His only Son. This Son—a glorious, wonderful, kind, and gracious King—gave His life for us. The cross and Christ’s resurrection was God’s gift of grace and mercy to fallen mankind. Indeed, it was the grace of God that carried Jesus to the cross, but it was also God’s mercy that allowed Him to go there. Through the cross, Christ restored lost humanity back to a holy God. Sin had to be paid for, and God said, “My Son will be the payment!”

It was only through a heart of mercy that God could bear to watch His only Son suffer the torment of the cross. How many of us could bear to hear that question come forth from one of our own children: “Father, why hast thou forsaken me?” and still remain silent. In giving His Son to suffer as a holy, spotless Lamb, God redeemed us unto Himself. Not only this great redemption, but also the purchase and preparation of a Bride for His Son was set in motion at Calvary. This is indeed Good News for all of us. And this is the Gospel!

In fact, as we consider the dear price that was paid for our redemption, it becomes easier to understand the passage in Matthew 22:14, which says “many are called, but few are chosen.”  For this Gospel of Good News is about humility, meekness, and righteousness—becoming like the Lamb who died in our place. Are we willing to pay the price? Many believers desire to know Jesus as the King of Kings, that One who blesses, forgives, heals, and delivers from the bondage of this earthly realm. However, do we want to know Him as the Lamb of God, knowing that we must count the cost of having His truth, meekness, humility, righteousness, and also His suffering worked out in our own lives?

On the one hand, the King represents provision, power, gifts, might, majesty, and authority. Many followed Him for the loaves and fishes! Yet, the Lamb also represents suffering, humility, reproach, and shame. Do you want to identify with the Lamb? Isaiah 16:1 tells us that God sends those who are meek (lambs) to stand before dignitaries and kings to testify of Him. Many cry out for the power of God to be manifest in their lives, but they shun the trials that are sent by the Lamb. These are the very trials that have been sent to bring forth that divine power. Many desire the gifts of the Kingdom, and yet follow not the Lamb—the One who paid the debt so that they might have these gifts operating in their lives.

All God’s children are called to follow the Lamb; the path the Lamb takes leads by way of Calvary, to the Throne of God and into the presence of the King. If we are willing to walk this pathway with Him, there is great reward. We will win an incorruptible crown that cannot be taken away (1 Cor. 9:25), and we will also have the honor of becoming a part of that great company of people who qualify to become the Bride of Christ.

How Can We Make Ourselves Ready?

In the pages that follow, I would like to mention a number of things we can do to make ourselves ready. While these precepts are not exhaustive, they will provide a number of fundamental keys involved in becoming His Bride. They are truths that can be birthed within our hearts as a result of wanting to attain God’s highest. However, they are also born out of the frustration of many setbacks we have and will experience in this life. Yet God is faithful to illumine His Word, while showing us His particular will for our lives.

In the same manner, He is faithful to all that seek Him. As we learn what the Word of God has to say about how “to make ourselves ready,” and as we follow the directives given to us by a merciful God, we can become victorious in Him. That, in essence, is the purpose of this book.

The question then remains: “How do we make ourselves ready?” What will prepare us to become “The Church Triumphant?” The Word of God is like a road map. His Word leads us in our pilgrimage toward the King of kings and Lord of lords, and gives us all the insight and guidance we need to complete the journey. There are clear and obvious directives and commandments that are contained in His Word, which will help us “make ourselves ready.”

God does His part in helping us to become the Bride of Christ. For example, without His grace and mercy, we cannot qualify to become a part of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. The burden of this book is to help us clearly understand that we have our part as well! The Bride must be a prepared vessel. God expects us to “make ourselves ready”(Rev. 19:7). God justifies us and causes His life to flow through us. However, we must also be sanctified. In other words, our will must become identified with His, as our ways are exchanged for His ways.

Another reason it is imperative to prepare ourselves is that there are eternal consequences for falling short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). This is why we need sound, practical, biblical steps to follow as we seek to become His Bride. The Bible is a book of instruction, a guide, containing commandments to follow to keep us on course and cause us to hit the mark of His high calling.

Therefore, may God’s Spirit guide us through His Word so that we will glean all the essential truths necessary to “make ourselves ready.” By His grace, may we also receive His wisdom as we seek to apply these truths in our daily lives.  For all those who have heard the call and have said “yes” in their hearts, His Spirit, the revelation of His Word, and His grace, are keys to going on with God. This is also what will make us ready to be part of that beautiful company of people called the Bride of Christ.

God desires to have a people who will learn to follow His divine will and purposes, and who will have a heart like His Son, Jesus Christ, who said, “Not My will, but thine be done” (Lk. 22:42). As God’s people, our goal is clearly spoken of in Romans 12:2: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,will of God.”

Our objective as Christians is to continually pursue the will of God. His perfect-will is not a system of thoughts or opinions that are learned as we conform to a certain belief. Instead, the Christian life is a practical walk with God that is designed to transform us by our obedient submission to the will of God. It is only as our will bows to the will of God that we are transformed. It is through this process of obedience, as we allow God to work on the contrary qualities and characteristics in our lives that He is able to change us. Clearly, our mind is the ruling part of us. Therefore, we need to allow God to renew our mind. Moreover, He desires to renew every part of us, which means our body, soul, and spirit.

To be a truly godly person, we must surrender our will to God. As a consequence of laying down our own desires and aspirations, we will eventually be brought into divine order, as this act of surrender allows God to establish, strengthen and settle us (1 Pet. 5:10). It is the will of God that brings everything around us into perfect order. The entire universe exists because of the will of God. In fact, everything we feel, touch, and see was created as a result of God’s will. Thus, as we come to know and experience the workings of His divine will being woven daily within the fabric of our lives, we will also come to know peace and joy in its fullest measure.

Jesus Christ came to bring peace, joy, and abundant life upon this earth. His death upon the cross, which brought redemption to mankind, not only saved us but lets us experience the true joy that can only come from God. His death, the greatest sacrifice of all time, was also wrapped up in the will of God. John 6:39-40 verifies this truth: “And this is the Father’swillwhich hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is thewill of Himthat sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day”(See also Jn. 6:38).

The Son had a purpose

It was through His perfect obedience to the will of God that Jesus made a way for sinful man to possess eternal life. “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to thewill of God” (Gal 1:4). His will saves and sanctifies us, and delivers us from the evil that is in this world. Ephesians 1:5 also tells us that God has actually predestined us, “according to the good pleasure ofHis will,” unto the adoption of children to Himself, through Jesus Christ (See also Eph. 1:9,11; Jn. 1:12-13). Clearly, God’s plan included Sonship, which means that we become joint heirs with the Father, through His Son.

In addition, God’s will prepares the way for a company of people to qualify to become Christ’s spotless, unblemished Bride. From the beginning of time, God has purposed to have a Bride for His Son. And since Jesus deferred in every instance to His Father’s will (Jn 5:30), we are given a clear and perfect example to follow. Therefore, to qualify to become His Bride, we must do His will.

This is the main theme, which runs throughout this book. From beginning to end, we will continually repeat one main idea: God, the Creator of the universe, has accomplished our full and complete redemption, but as Christ’s willing and obedient servants, we also have our part to play as well. God helps us to accomplish His purposes upon the earth. Our part is simply to do His will, remembering the words of Revelation 4:11, which tells us: “And for thy pleasure, they are and were created.”

How can we discern the will of God for our lives?

First and foremost, we must be willing to accept the Lord as our Savior. This is the first responsibility of anyone who truly desires to know God in His fullness. Secondly, we must be willing to accept Him as Lord.  In other words, we must give ourselves completely to Him, and we must want to become like Him. Remember that God wants a Bride for His Son who will be compatible with Him. He wants a Bride that resembles Him, a Bride who acts, thinks, looks, and speaks like her Beloved, and even possesses the same fragrance as her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Psa. 45:7-8).

The only way we can ever expect to become like Him is to make His will our way of life. We can love, we can give, and we can even have a powerful ministry, but if we cannot cling to and delight in doing the will of God, our earthly sacrifices do not mean anything to Him. The Lord does not want sacrifice; He wants obedience (Ps 40:6). Often we sing, “To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus—all I ask is to be like Him.” Yet we must truly understand that, like Christ, “our meat must be to do the will of Him who sent me” (Jn. 4:34).

When do we seek the will of God for our lives?

Many Christians only seek the will of God when they need to make major decisions that affect their future, including the right college, the right location, the right vocation, the right mate. These decisions are dutifully given to God in the form of prayer.   We may also seek Him diligently for the ministry He has for us or the good gifts He has promised all of His children. Although these are all very good beginnings, they are never to be thought of as the whole will of God. Not only must we seek God for the big things of our lives, we must also seek Him daily concerning small things, living in daily communion with Him and not trusting in our own strength and human wisdom.

Self-strength and human wisdom produces problems in the hearts of many of God’s people. Of course, God has given us free will to make our own choices. However, Scripture says that we need to have the “mind of Christ” and see life from heaven’s viewpoint. God’s will can be trusted. It is always pure and right, and will give us His best. God’s will is all-powerful and absolute. It is His will that formed the earth, the heavens, the animal kingdom, and all of mankind. Therefore, we ought to always obey Him and seek His precious will. In fact, obedience to God’s will is the very heart of Christianity.

Obedience to God’s will is the very heart of Christianity.

The Consequences of not Doing God’s Will

Unfortunately, many in the Church still choose to chart their own course, and for a variety of reasons they will not trust God to handle the reigns of their life. Do we have a fear of handing over control of our lives? God can be trusted! Do we want to make our own decisions, and thus be Lord of our lives? We must have a godly fear of ever desiring to rule in our own affairs.

On this issue of daily yielding our will to God, it is good to remember that He loves us and He will only choose what is best for us. For example, Scripture tells us that God makes record of the number of hairs that grow upon our heads (Mt. 10:30, Lk. 12:7). He also knows when each and every sparrow falls to the ground (Mt. 10:29).  And if He pays that much attention to all that He has created, should we not yield all of our decisions to Him? Should we not want Him to be in total control of our lives? Indeed, every time we yield to the will of the Father, it is undeniable proof that we are becoming more like His dear Son, Jesus Christ, who spent every moment of His earthly life doing His Father’s bidding.

The desire to do our own will is part of the human frame. Satan’s greatest desire was to do his own will. It was also his greatest mistake, because it caused him to be cast out of Heaven. Isaiah 14:12-15, by describing Lucifer’s fall, gives us a clear warning of the consequences of doing our own will. Therefore, we are wise to cooperate with God and do His will.

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High. Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.”  Isaiah 14:12-15

For all those who refuse the Father’s will, there will be consequences. As an example, Hebrews 10:36 tells us that it is only after we have done the will of God that we are able to receive the promise. Therefore, only when we offer up obedience on a daily basis and are willing to submit ourselves to the training and discipline of His yoke, will we reap His eternal rewards. Most assuredly, it is only those who qualify that will have the privilege of becoming His unblemished Bride for all eternity.

The Lord Jesus Christ did all that the Father showed Him to do. God also looks for a godly people who will be like King David, about whom God said, in Acts 13:22: “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart,who will do all My will.” The Bride of Christ will have a heart like David, and she will do all that God desires her to do.

Scripture is crystal clear that Christ’s Bride will be chosen only from those who seek with their whole heart to do God’s will. “Not everyone that says to me, ‘Lord, Lord’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does thewill of My Fatherin heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Mt. 7:21-23).

This Scripture also clearly shows us that doing God’s will is more important than our gifts or talents. Seeking His will is more important than casting out demons, or prophesying notable words to others. It is also more important than doing great works in His name. All else is secondary to His will, and we must do His will to qualify. Doing the will of God is actually our only way to prosper. God’s Word tells us that by obeying Him we have a guarantee to live forever. “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does thewill of Godabides forever” (Jn. 2:17).

Christ calls to us and says, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  However, when we are committed to Him, serving Him, and submitted to His will, He raises the bar by degrees and says such things as, “He that endures to the end shall be saved”(Mt 24:13, Mk 13:13). Therefore, such Scriptural warnings become for us a kind of “as we follow on” reminder not to become lax in our attitudes toward doing His will (Hos 6:3).

There is a Price to Pay!

We are called to be kings and priests unto Him—His chaste Bride for all eternity (Rev 1:6). We are also called to be joint-heirs with Jesus in His heavenly Kingdom (Ro. 8:17). Yet we must realize that there is a price to pay for this position. What is the price? First, we must agree and submit to the process of transformation necessary to become His Bride. Secondly, we must prove by our actions that we are willing to seek and follow His will daily, for it is our obedience that leads us unto His Kingdom.

Furthermore, the people all around us need to see the fruit of a life that is yielded to the will of God. Our lives, at all times, should be a perpetual garden of growth for others to look upon so they may also be drawn to the One who is life itself. It is not enough just to believe in Jesus, for so does the devil! It is not enough just to believe in and study the Word of God. Instead, we must be “doers of the word, and not hearers only”  (Jam. 1:23).

As we have said previously, we must first receive His life and be saved, but then God requires us to go on unto sanctification. The Bride of Christ is to walk properly, and she is to live so as to make no provision for the flesh. “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Ro. 13:11-14).

From this Scripture, we can see that God clearly informs us of our duty, which is this: as we would cast off a garment, we are to “cast off the works of darkness” and “put on” Christ. We are to act like Him, look like Him, and sound like Him; and finally we are to become like Him. In this sense, our life is a process of exchanging, one by one, our filthy garments for His clean, righteous garments. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect,will of God” (Ro. 12:1-2).

We are exhorted in these verses to present our bodies to God. In a very true sense, we are to be clothed with all the attributes and characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through His eternal Word, and through the example of His Son, the Father has shown us what His will is for our lives. Therefore, we are required to make holiness and sanctification our daily pursuit. We are to learn how to walk—not just how to talk. If we only talk well without living well, it will never prepare us for our heavenly call. Thus, our aim should always be to please the One who has created us. Then, as we learn to please Him, we will become like Him.

What Are the Benefits of Doing God’s Will?

Submission to the will of God has many benefits, some of which are: salvation, sanctification, holiness, eternal life, answered prayer, good gifts, ministry, an inheritance, a call, and a place in His Kingdom. All these wonderful blessings can belong to us if we faithfully give ourselves to God’s will.

If we are willing to give our own will to Him, we shall never lack for answers to our problems, or the problems of others. For example, when the Word tells us that “He shall know concerning the doctrine,” (Jn. 7:17) it is actually a promise to us that God will reward our willingness to follow Him with a knowledge of the truth. Then, if we have the desire to improve the light we have, and if we strive to carefully live up to that light, Colossians 1:9 tells us that wisdom and understanding is also available to us. “That you may desireto be filled with theknowledge of His willin all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” Actually, the key word here is desire. It is desire that causes us to continue to press in to God, but it is also desire that determines our final rewards.

Therefore, we must always remember the words of Jesus. “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened; burnt offering and sin offering You did not require; Then I said, “Behold, I come; in the scroll of the Book it is written of me.I delight to do Your will,O my God, and Your law is within my heart” (Ps. 40:6-8). This Scripture shows us that His will should not only be our desire but also our delight, for those who delight in His will shall become His lovely Bride forever. Sister Audrey Bailey, a dear Saint of God, once said, “There is only one thing better than doing God’s will—it is delighting to do His will!”

In sum and substance, this is the foremost purpose of this book. It is our sincere prayer to birth a fresh desire and delight within the hearts of God’s people everywhere, which will cause them to answer His call and fulfill their particular mission upon this earth. Our purpose is also to awaken and enlighten the Saints, and define the wonderful call of God that includes becoming His Bride for all eternity.

What is our Call?

First, we are called to a destination. We are called to eternal life. Secondly, we are also called to a relationship—to become the Bride of Christ. However, as we have seen, not everyone will qualify. God is going to ask each one of us to give an account of what we have done with our lives. Matthew 25:19 30, the parable of the talents, is a Scriptural narrative concerning those who are faithful and those who are not faithful to the call of God upon their lives. Moreover, it records God’s intention to reward or punish them accordingly. It is, therefore, our prayer that as you read and meditate upon these verses in Matthew, that you will find within yourself a new desire to qualify for God’s highest and best.

We are all called to be the Bride of Christ: male or female, bond or free, it makes no difference. However, all must qualify! As we have seen, God has His part, and we also have our part. Revelation 19:7 clearly states that the Bride of Christ is required to “make herself ready.” Certainly, it is true that we cannot change ourselves. Only God can do that. Yet there are very sound, practical, biblical steps that we can follow to “make ourselves ready.”

In addition to our earthly call, we are being prepared for an eternal call. Unfortunately, many Churches today spend little time leading their flock toward a true heavenly vision. But if a Church has no real concept of what God is expecting of us in eternity, the “Good News” can become a very lopsided, unbalanced Gospel. That is why it is so essential to understand that heaven is not just a place where we go in order to escape hell.

To the contrary, heaven is a place where “our eyes shall see the King in all His beauty;” and all who qualify shall see the “land that is now very far off” (Isa 33:17). It is a place of peace, a place where we shall move from glory to glory, beholding the Lamb of God forever and ever. Therefore, heaven is not the end of our life; it is really just the beginning. If we say yes to His perfect will in our lives, we have so much to look forward to as we move about on this earthly realm; for the faithful will surely reap the benefit of becoming His Bride for all eternity.

First, we are called to a destination.

We are called to eternal life.

Second, we are called to a relationship—to become the Bride of Christ.

Summary

• To be the Bride of Christ is an awesome inheritance, a high and holy calling, which is granted to all those who are willing to prepare themselves (Rev. 19:7).

• The Bride is a group of believers among the redeemed, who have qualified by becoming pure and unblemished just like their heavenly Bridegroom.

• There is going to be a wedding. This call is open to all. However, only those who have had His truth, meekness, righteousness, and humility worked within them will be able to attend.

• There are clear commandments in the Bible that help us “make ourselves ready.”

• There are eternal consequences for falling short of God’s glory. We need the Word of God to help us formulate biblical steps that will prepare us for His high calling.

• To be a truly godly person, we must surrender our will to God.

• Christ made a way for mankind through His perfect obedience to the will of God (Gal. 1:4).

• God’s will prepares a way for a company of people to qualify to become His Bride.

• We discern the will of God by giving ourselves totally to Him, and by making His will our way of life.

• We must seek His will daily, not just for the big decisions of our lives.

• Satan chose His own will, and, as a result, he was cast out of heaven (Isa. 14:12-15).

• It is only after we do the will of God that we will receive the promise (He. 10:36).

• Doing God’s will is more important that receiving gifts and talents (Mt. 7:21-23).

• There is a price to pay to obtain unto the lofty position of the Bride of Christ. We must agree and submit to a process of transformation, and we must follow God’s will daily.

• We must be doers of the Word, and not hearers only (Jam. 1:3).

• The Bride must walk properly. She must be sanctified (Ro. 13:11-14).

• The benefits of doing God’s will are: salvation, holiness, eternal life, answered prayer, good gifts, ministry, inheritance, a call, and a place in His Kingdom.

• There is only one thing better than doing God’s will; it is delighting to do His will.

• Our call is a destination. We are called to eternal life. Our call is also about a relationship. We are to become the Bride of Christ for all eternity.

Chapter Two

THE CALL UNTO GOD’S KINGDOM GOES OUT!

His Word Gives Light and Love

Unless we love and understand God’s Word, we will never qualify to become His Bride. Psalm 119:30 tells us that “the entrance of thy word giveth light, it giveth understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:40 also tells us that God’s Word is pure, and therefore, we should love it! God Himself puts His Word above His name (Psa. 138:2), and for that reason, we must understand the tremendous premium God places upon it. His Word is our road map, and our guide to victory.

Foundational Truths Found in Matthew 22

For example, Matthew 22:2-14 gives us some foundational truths that are basic to our understanding of becoming His Bride. According to many commentaries, the general meaning of Matthew 22 is that this parable literally represents the Kingdom of heaven. It is also generally agreed upon by theologians and Bible scholars that this parable refers to the rejection by the Jews of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to the calling of the Gentiles unto Him. The Gospel, with all its privileges, was offered to the Jewish people; but through wickedness and pride they rejected it. As a result, all the blessings were offered to the Gentiles who accepted it. The King mentioned here clearly represents God, who has provided salvation to the world through Jesus Christ.

Matthew 22, therefore, refers most accurately to the sinner who is continually invited to believe in and receive Jesus Christ, and thereby partake of the blessings that Christ purchased through His death at Calvary. This is a story of God’s reconciling and reuniting sinful man back to Himself; for when sin entered into the world it separated man from God. This is also a parable that expresses the true joy of God the Father, who looks forward with much anticipation to the moment when He will celebrate that divine and holy union between Christ and His Church.

Matthew 22 also speaks to the Believer!

When we read Matthew 22 in a more general way, we can also accurately conclude that this parable is speaking directly to the believer. In fact, this story is representative of the marriage of the Heavenly Bridegroom to His Bride—a group of overcoming Saints that have qualified to become the Bride of Christ for all eternity.

In any marriage ceremony, we are usually selective as to the guests who are invited to attend. Only intimate friends and families are normally included. In this case, it is clear that these guests are those who have a relationship with the Son. Obviously, this marriage invitation is not intended for anyone who has rejected the King’s Son, Jesus Christ. Rather, it is for those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, and who call themselves Christians.

However, we see that there is something terribly wrong in the hearts of these believers who have previously received an invitation, but are now making excuses why they are not able to come to the wedding. Taking this point a step further, Matthew 22:2-3 also reveals plainly the lack of interest that many followers of Christ have in becoming intimately involved with Him.  “The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them (the invited, intimate friends) that were biddento the wedding:and they would not come.”

The Spiritual Condition of the Church

Unfortunately, this passage speaks to us of the spiritual condition of many in the Church world today. It is conclusive evidence, indeed, that many Christians are called or “bidden” to the wedding feast, but for various reasons they do not concern themselves about coming. Just imagine! To be invited to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and to become part of the Bride of Christ is the highest honor a Christian can receive. Yet many still refuse this place of honor and opportunity, choosing rather to settle on a lower plain. Sadly, we also see that the reason they settle for this inferior place is not because they are truly unable to accept the invitation, but because they actually refuse this wonderful privilege. John 5:40 verifies this fact when it tells us: “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.”

As we continue in Matthew 22:5, we are shown something even more disturbing about the various reactions to this invitation. We are told that they (Christians, who had previously accepted the Gospel) even “made light of it.” Although they had joyfully received the invitation, which was God’s gracious gift of salvation through Christ, they were now being careless and indifferent about it.  Obviously, no preparations were completed in order to attend the wedding, and clearly this spectacular event was most certainly not their priority. Consequently, they were unconcerned when the time was announced for the wedding feast to begin.

Oh, how dreadful it is to disregard or make light of Christ and His plan of full redemption. Without a doubt, this is the greatest sin of mankind. In actuality, multitudes perish eternally because of carelessness. However, in matters of the soul we cannot be indifferent. In His sovereign plan, God has called every Christian to a high and holy calling, namely, to be the Bride of Christ. Yet many so-called “committed Christians” lack the desire to reach for and attain unto God’s highest and best. For this reason, like those mentioned in verse three, many will end up making an excuse why they cannot come to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

What is a Call?

Remember that this passage declares that they “were bidden to the wedding.” In the original Greek the word “bidden” carries within its meaning “a call,” but it also means “a summons.” A call, therefore, is both an invitation and a summons. We know that when we receive an invitation, it means, “Please come.” However, when we receive a summons, it is an order: “You must come.” In this case, all who call themselves Christians will be required to give an account of what they have done with their lives, their time, and their substance.

Another important truth that we glean from this passage of Scripture is that this invitation is not just extended to a small, exclusive selection of “special people.” In reality, the invitation reads like this: “TO ALL WHO KNOW THE KING, PLEASE COME!” This is the resounding clarion call throughout the centuries, which was delivered by Christ’s ministers, the apostles and prophets.

This first invitation is for those who desire to intimately know the King and His Son. It is for those who want an on-going relationship with Him. However, there are conditions to be met before entering the feast; and this is clearly understood by all those who have heard the call. In fact, everyone who hears the call is keenly aware that everything is ready and the wedding is now to begin; yet they still refuse the offer.

God Gives Them a Second Chance!

Matthew 22:4 tells us: “Againhe 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.” We see here the familiar picture of the mercy of God to those who would spurn His highest and His best by not coming when the call has gone out. And what does our gracious God do? He calls them again! He even sends out different servants (which represent His ministers) and gives them a second chance. Even though they have taken the call lightly, treating the call with contempt, He again sends out His ministers and gives them a second opportunity.

After all their excuses, why did God send different ministers to them? In His mercy, He gave them a second chance. Also, God arranges circumstances that leave us with no excuse when we choose to reject His offer of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Make no mistake, Saints of God, when we stand before Him on that great Day of Judgment, we will answer for all of our decisions and actions. If we truly desire to attain God’s best, we must meet the qualifications.

Notwithstanding, our God gave a second chance. Thus, the Lord sent a second set of servants to the invited guests.  He gives these ministers even more persuasive details of what is about to happen. In effect, they are saying: “The Banquet is all prepared! Come right now because everything is ready! Please heed the call to come and partake of it! You will not regret it.”

The Role of the Minister of God

What we see here is an urgent call from God’s ministers. For if these invited guests do not heed the call to come right now, they are going to miss something very important that will surely affect their eternity. II Corinthians 5:11 reminds us of the role of a minister of the Gospel of Christ: “We persuade men.”  In other words, we beseech them for Christ’s sake because we are His hands, eyes, ears and mouth extended to a needy and desperate world.

This scriptural directive clearly shows us how much God’s heart is set upon our happiness and our eternal place in heaven. It is also a wonderful picture of His mercy. For even when we spurn His call or take it lightly, God presses and persuades us through the use of His ministers to accept the highest call. Even when we disappoint Him, or grieve Him by our continual resistance to the eloquent and powerful beckoning of His servants, God still persists in drawing us with cords of love toward the Holy of Holies.