Matthew 22: Wedding Banquet/Garment

[dl0909]

I hope this is the right place for this question.  A few days ago I was rereading Matthew and came across the parable of the wedding banquet (Mt. 22:1-10)/wedding garment (Mt.22:11-14).  I've read so much about the "standard" passages that seem to threaten that some people won't be saved (e.g. Matthew 25, Luke 16, etc.), but this one kind of caught me off guard.  I know the passage doesn't actually refer to hell, but in it, the king (who seems to represent God/Jesus) says regarding one of the wedding guests: "Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (verse 13).

What bothers me more than that, however, is the line that Matthew adds next.  The King goes on to say: "Many are called but few are chosen" (verse 14).

To be completely open about it, reading this passage a few days ago has nearly thrown me into a panic regarding universal salvation...I have read the articles on Tentmaker regarding the meaning of the phrase "weeping and gnashing of teeth" and I have certainly read my share of refutations of Calvinism (as seems to be implied in verse 14), but I still can't seem to find any peace regarding these verses.

Here's the heart of the matter for me: If Jesus really did teach universal salvation, these statements, although they can be explained away in their details, certainly seem very incongruent with the spirit of universalism.  To put it simply, they seem so harsh!  How could Christ have expected us to come away with a message of universalism when he made statements like that?

If anyone has some help with these verses and general questions, I'd really appreciate it.  Thank you and God bless.

[SeekerSA]

Danielle

I did a study on the teeth gnashers.  Read it on my blog.

Here is the link Teeth Gnashers

See if that answers your questions.

Blessings

[firstborn888]

If Jesus really did teach universal salvation, these statements, although they can be explained away in their details, certainly seem very incongruent with the spirit of universalism.  To put it simply, they seem so harsh!  How could Christ have expected us to come away with a message of universalism when he made statements like that?

"It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter".

Jesus hid these things on purpose.  :thumbsup:

- byron

[70sevens]

Quote-----------------
To put it simply, they seem so harsh! 
How could Christ have expected us to come away with a message of universalism
when he made statements like that?
-----------------------
Because Jesus Christ does not support UR in any way.

There is no ET, and there is no UR either.
So, Don't worry, as there is no ET,
Don't sit back and relax, as there is no UR.

God wants us to be saved thru Jesus within this life time.
If we get salvation of Jesus now here,
then we will have no worries at all about the things afterlife.

Why do we wish to wait until afterlife,
whereas we can be saved now. 
All the harsh(?) statements in the bible are meant for urging us
to seek Jesus now, not later.
It's now or never.

Many people come to Jesus,
but most of them go astray due to self-deception and man-made doctrines.
But among them, few will hold on tight to Jesus to the end and be saved.

Thus Jesus said : 
"Many are called but few are chosen."
Chosen does not mean born-chosen people which do not exist.
We can be 'chosen' by going thru the narrow gate.

In Jesus time, multitude followed HIM, but only disciples were left after all.
This is not only a history but truth that will be repeated ever.
And this is what is happening now, and it will be happening in the future too.

Pray hard to God, then God will lead your way.

God bless.

[jenna]

70, with all the crime and problems today, how can you say God is trying to save everyone now? If  He were, He would be losing horribly.

[jabcat]

I'm thinking (still learning myself, not swearing to this :Chinscratch:) that this may fit into first of all, Jesus talking to the Jewish nation.  Secondly, talking about their position of privilege and that they were about to lose it, i.e., the destruction of the old religious order (temple worship), being cast out, outer darkness, weeping and gnashing of teeth, etc. with the gospel then being sent to us, the Gentiles.   Much of these types of verses are addressed by J. Preston Eby, you can google him + Lazarus and see the symbolism involved and what he believes it means.  Also, Zender has written that Jesus' earthly ministry was pertaining to the house of Israel, well, Jesus Himself stated he came not except to the lost sheep of Israel.  So, context is important...I've also read how the Hebrew language was so picturesque, for lack of a better word, that many things were exaggerated to paint a picture, make a point.  Some things may sound different to us in our culture than it did to them at the time, and in their language and culture?  I believe Gary teaches about this on the tentmaker site..could probably track it down under Hebrew language/language of the bible...After it's all said and done, Father still loves you, Jesus is still saving, and God's in control.   :mfriends:

[SeekerSA]

Quote-----------------
To put it simply, they seem so harsh! 
How could Christ have expected us to come away with a message of universalism
when he made statements like that?
-----------------------
Because Jesus Christ does not support UR in any way.

Amazing, now how did you come to that conclusion?

There is no ET, and there is no UR either.
So, Don't worry, as there is no ET,
Don't sit back and relax, as there is no UR.

God wants us to be saved thru Jesus within this life time.
If we get salvation of Jesus now here,
then we will have no worries at all about the things afterlife.

Why do we wish to wait until afterlife,
whereas we can be saved now. 
All the harsh(?) statements in the bible are meant for urging us
to seek Jesus now, not later.
It's now or never.

Humming the Elvis tune while I reply  :laughing7:

All folks have seen a bible right?  All folks have heard right?  All folks can read right?

..be mine tonite...

Many people come to Jesus,
but most of them go astray due to self-deception and man-made doctrines.
But among them, few will hold on tight to Jesus to the end and be saved.

Yup, you must work hard to be saved. Problem is, folk hold onto Jesus and He was only the doorWAY not the destination.  The worst man-made doctrines are found in the church.

Thus Jesus said : 
"Many are called but few are chosen."
Chosen does not mean born-chosen people which do not exist.
We can be 'chosen' by going thru the narrow gate.

Yup we can choose to be chosen ironic hey?

In Jesus time, multitude followed HIM, but only disciples were left after all.
This is not only a history but truth that will be repeated ever.
And this is what is happening now, and it will be happening in the future too.

Pray hard to God, then God will lead your way.

God bless.

I guess you forgot the 3000 added at pentecost and the daily additions and kinda like they really had no choice there, it just seemed to happen.  Peter spoke, the Holy Spirit fell, simple.

Blessings

[70sevens]

Quote from SeekerSA----------
Humming the Elvis tune while I reply   
All folks have seen a bible right?  All folks have heard right?  All folks can read right?
..be mine tonite...
-----------------------------------
The devil also reads and quotes the bible( Luke 4).
How can you distinguish?


Quote---------------------------
Yup, you must work hard to be saved. Problem is, folk hold onto Jesus
and He was only the doorWAY not the destination. 
The worst man-made doctrines are found in the church.
----------------------------------
Are you implying that Jesus alone is not enough?
That's why you require to believe in fluke?
I am not here to defend traditional church.


Quote-------------------------
Yup we can choose to be chosen ironic hey?
--------------------------------
If someone is desperate to be saved, he will pray hard to get God's mercy.
If not desperate, he will not pray to God saying "we cannot do anything in salvation".
Naturally God's mercy will be shown upon that who pray hard.


Quote--------------------------
I guess you forgot the 3000 added at pentecost and the daily additions and kinda
like they really had no choice there, it just seemed to happen. 
Peter spoke, the Holy Spirit fell, simple.
Blessings
----------------------------------
Coming of Holy Spirit is the end-result of meeting Jesus Christ individually.
Meeting Jesus - Death on the Cross in unity with Jesus - Coming of Holy Spirit (Salvation achieved)

The above is life-giving process and order.
It repeats on each individual ever.
So if someone wishes to have salvation, he has to meet Jesus first,
and some time later Jesus will send him another comforter, the Holy Spirit.
Please do not ignore this life order.

God bless.

[SeekerSA]

Hi 70Sevens

Well there are accounts of those that had the Holy Spirit before being baptised.  Seems God really does as He pleases when it comes to the "salvation" process.

I know you mean well and I was just having some humour with you.

Are you implying that Jesus alone is not enough?
That's why you require to believe in fluke?
I am not here to defend traditional church.

Nope He is not enough, there is more, called the Father.

If someone is desperate to be saved, he will pray hard to get God's mercy.
If not desperate, he will not pray to God saying "we cannot do anything in salvation".
Naturally God's mercy will be shown upon that who pray hard.

Jesus seemed to have a different view with the Centurion beating his chest.
If you do not know who to pray to, that is a problem, secondly, any honest prayer is answered.

Blessings