Matt 22... different reason

[GerWat]

The wedding feast in Matt 22 has a weird ending, "many are called but few chosen." :Chinscratch:

What strikes me as weird about this is it's incongruity.  In the verses above the Jews are called but refuse, do their own thing and eventually get exiled.  Then the gentiles are called and happily join in the feast.  There's a lot more gentiles than Jews, the king wanted the place packed out so the jews couldn't get in, assuming Luke 14 is the same story.  Only ONE was thrown out, which makes the, "many called and few chosen," statement seem out of place.

How is that like the Kingdom of God?  Is the one thrown out, I presume for re-education, representative of "many" somehow and the crowd happily enjoying the feast, the few?  OR  Is the one thrown out the "chosen," considered worthy of special attention and refinement? :punish:  While the crowd represents the majority of people who, while they wind up in Heaven, are not refined and not part of the ruling elite.

If that's right then what about the reason, wearing the wrong cloths, how could that set him apart for special treatment?  I suppose the same could be said of Jesus disciples, they weren't the best and brightest in the eyes of greater population.

Jerry

[Ross]

The wedding feast in Matt 22 has a weird ending, "many are called but few chosen." :Chinscratch:

What strikes me as weird about this is it's incongruity.  In the verses above the Jews are called but refuse, do their own thing and eventually get exiled.  Then the gentiles are called and happily join in the feast.

How is that like the Kingdom of God?  Is the one thrown out, I presume for re-education, representative of "many" somehow and the crowd happily enjoying the feast, the few?

Jerry

Romans 11 explains this process. pointed out by these verses;
verse 30-32   " For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have been disobedient at the present time in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience so that He may show mercy to all."

* I.M.O the ones thrown out were trying to earn admittance by the law and self-effort. They were not called.  They get thrown our, or rather not admitted, so that they can be corrected.

[rosered]

Hi Gerwat,

Matt 21   also  in a  parable   describing   the same thing as  Matt22   
All these parables Jesus used to ''describe   ''   a concept   .

   Great answer Ross  :thumbsup:  Very general  and truthful  statement .

   What helped me the most   was,      the idea  of  many being called was ALL  of Israel   , at any given time .

But a few chosen [elect]  , and it was those with a special task of    prophecy  of warning  ,    a Law and prophets    a  standard to   go by .
  God always sends a   messenger / angel    to warn of coming judgments   when    their     sins  reach heaven and God has  been patient long enough

  and flesh and blood  and the carnal minded     force   the Spirit  out     by bloody murder   , evil and lies , VIOLENCE   over and over again  ,  This is God dealing with  humanity ..

  Last  HE sent His  Son ...  the Spirit in Full power now would turn the whole thing around ,  The Only way to  enter the      Heavenly realm would be though Christ ONLY ,
   The wedding garment is being clothed in Christ , a  white linen   cloth  ,  Ross is right it is by the work of God though the Son  that would allow access

now   for all the called   out of the world   ,    for a time , yet a few are chosen to fulfill   the end  , just as it was from the beginning   , these are those [elect]with   the WORD of Truth  / JESUS CHRIST     speaking  as a witness against the world    by the Spirit of truth   GOD the Father    witness .  Both testify  of this TRUTH .

  All the elect are hated  by the world and  the world   does not hear   them , this is how the  elect  or the Christ  = anointed of God are  given the WORD OF TRUTH by the Spirit of truth   as always   from the beginning to the end   will rise   up   in judgement     against      the world  and fall into the hands of evil , because the world hates the truth

   The Spirit of truth and Word of Truth    are  killed all the day long and darkness  is its hiding place .

  But the Light and knowledge of God   will destroy all the darkness  and evil will have NO PLACE to hide  any longer  , we can be sure   and bank on  this  TRUTH .
 

[marie glen]

..to my mind.. or the way I would say it, is Jesus said "I am come that they may have life.." I believe God is life (itself, the spark and breath of life, etc). And also Perfection.. So imPerfection, to my mind, is the opposite of life.. And the only way to be restored (reconciled) to life is through believing thus following Jesus.

Faith being the "wedding garment" required to enter the banquet/life. The few (the scribes and pharisees; Israel) did not enter because of unbelief, even though they had been raised on the faith as embodied in the Old Testament/covenant. They stumbled over the Rock of offense.. the Messiah they were supposed to be expecting...

"If their (Israel's) falling away is salvation for the nations" - the gospel now out to the nations/gentiles - "what will be their gathering" (to the faith/Messiah) "be? but life from the dead?" (resurrection, which occurs at Jesus' return)  Romans 11:15 (Mt 23:39;Rev 12:17/16:14-16)

But before then.. "the kingdom of God is like a banquet.. one cannot enter w/o the wedding garment" faith / Messiah "if ye mix law with grace, ye are fallen from grace"
:Peace2: :smile:

[GerWat]

I got a download on this.  Paul the missionary is the one thrown out.  Paul came to the feast clothed in his Jewish religion.  Paul went through many trials.  The One chosen was Paul!

[Patinak]

I got a download on this.  Paul the missionary is the one thrown out.  Paul came to the feast clothed in his Jewish religion.  Paul went through many trials.  The One chosen was Paul!

Jerry, I think you might be on to something there!
Pat

[rosered]

  Any one wearing a bloody garment is cast out , the one cast out is the son of perdition , it was  Judas Iscariot   the betrayer

  Because He was called a ''friend''    of the bridegroom and ate with them all at the banquet table   and betrays


  Matt 22 11 "But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes,


12 and he *said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless.

13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called, but few are chosen."

Matthew 26:50 (NASB)

50 And Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you have come for." Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized Him.

A  Friend betrays Jesus prophecy   
Psalm 55:12-14,20-22 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it...

  Psalm 41:9 Even my own familiar friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. ...


Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, his Master and Friend


10 But You, O Lord, be gracious to me and raise me up,
That I may repay them.
11 By this I know that You are pleased with me,
Because my enemy does not shout in triumph over me.
12 As for me, You uphold me in my integrity,
And You set me in Your presence forever.
13 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
From everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.

  None is lost but the son of perdition   John 17  Prayer for the Disciples


...11"I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.

12"While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me;   

  and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

    The Spirit of prophecy  is throughout the Word of God  as the old being fulfilled in the   new 

Looking closer   still     loosing his place in the kingdom  and    lying in the field of blood   or Ghenna judgment   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akeldama


   Saul    was given a new name and new   position   in the Body of Christ    as a   Light to the Gentiles  as prophesied , Saul  meaning acquired or asked  was chosen of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself   from   the tribe of Benjamin   , the little one  and son of the Right hand    also of prophecy of old .  the least shall be the greatest     and servant of all  ,  and like his Master ..  Paul means little or small      also prophecy  Saul as a name means 'asked or prayed for', and Paul means little or small.

http://biblehub.com/isaiah/49-6.htm

For me the scriptures   must  Speak   of the same things and ''all things ''    must   be fulfilled without    discrepancies     or  divisions  of variation.

We will never know the full   impact of this   Knowledge   on this side of the river , but our hope is to  keep it Alive  by Love  carrying us through to the end .

[marie glen]

..is this the same parable where the servants/workers are told to go out and gather all they can to the banquet when those invited are too busy to show up? I didn't look it up.. being lazy.. :laughing7: Can't remember if it's one parable or two..

oh. wait a minute.. it's one guy, who is tossed out of the party because he doesn't have a wedding garment (on).. i remember now.. two parables..
    :Peace2: :smile:

If that's right then what about the reason, wearing the wrong cloths, how could that set him apart for special treatment?

.."this corrupt must put on incorruptibility"? every one has to have the wedding garment to enter the city, the banquet.. outside is weeping, outer darkness.. (?)

[rosered]

..is this the same parable where the servants/workers are told to go out and gather all they can to the banquet when those invited are too busy to show up? I didn't look it up.. being lazy.. :laughing7: Can't remember if it's one parable or two..

oh. wait a minute.. it's one guy, who is tossed out of the party because he doesn't have a wedding garment (on).. i remember now.. two parables..
    :Peace2: :smile:

If that's right then what about the reason, wearing the wrong cloths, how could that set him apart for special treatment?

.."this corrupt must put on incorruptibility"? every one has to have the wedding garment to enter the city, the banquet.. outside is weeping, outer darkness.. (?)

  Yes  it is Marie     , there will be weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth in the outer darkness

Matt 6  If that's how God clothes the grass of the field,


which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow,

won't He do much more  clothe  you--you of little faith?

[trettep]

The few chosen are those choen in this dispensation to be Kings and Priest and reign with Christ at His Coming.  This is no different then when God had called all the congregation of Israel but only chose the Levites to be the Priests.  Then it was through the Levites that the rest of the congregation was consecrated.  It will like this again very soon.

[jabcat]

* I.M.O

:thumbsup:

[Seth]

The few chosen are those choen in this dispensation to be Kings and Priest and reign with Christ at His Coming.  This is no different then when God had called all the congregation of Israel but only chose the Levites to be the Priests.  Then it was through the Levites that the rest of the congregation was consecrated.  It will like this again very soon.

:iagree:

[Seth]

The answer may be found in verses 5-7. Plenty of people ignored them, and some killed the servants, and so the king burned down their cities and destroyed the murderers. So, after the man is thrown out of the wedding feast, all those people who rejected total more than the ones who attended with the right robes. Many are called but few are chosen. Some of the "called" ignore the message, some kill the messengers, and still some are wolves in sheep's clothing and are ejected.

[marie glen]

The few chosen are those choen in this dispensation to be Kings and Priest and reign with Christ at His Coming.  This is no different then when God had called all the congregation of Israel but only chose the Levites to be the Priests.  Then it was through the Levites that the rest of the congregation was consecrated.  It will like this again very soon.

I agree with this even though a small part of it makes me uncomfortable.. I believe ultimately the 2nd resurrection (those not yet saved before their death, thus they rise "still in their sins") will catch up to the 1st resurrection. I believe mostly there are the two 'classes' because any story/play/drama (truth-proving) needs more than one character.

Even as He "chose" Israel, but not because they were either better or 'worse' than any others.. The Levites, for example, simply followed instructions and it was the sacrifice(s) which reconciled them to Yahweh (nothing within the Levites).. When all is said and done "we are altogether unprofitable servants for we only will do or have done what we were instructed/made to do.." - I guess I am always thinking and reminded of that first debilitating sin of "I will" / pride.. Upon which all religious type effort (and also esoteric 'knowledge'/false paths/'ascension' of the individual) are based on, and which is so very beguiling.. :2c:
:gsmile:

[GodIsLove]

Marie,

I tend to agree with your line of thinking.

The ET crowd is big on the us against them (saved and unsaved).

The UR belief that those "saved" in this lifetime will judge angels, or reign as a priesthood doesn't sit well with me because it is exalting ourselves.

If the "saved now" crowd is going to be judges or priests I'm surely not in that group. Nor do I want that responsibility.

I believe we are chosen to be a light in this world and first fruits.

Just like kids in elementary school fight over who will be the line leader, when really that is not a position of power or authority or anything--it's just chance (usually, so for the sake of my example it is just chance). Someone has to be first but that doesn't mean the ones who are last are lesser or will never arrive.

I am far from perfect and even with prayer and asking the holt spirit for guidance I fall short too much. Fiery trials are perfecting us each in our own way and in our own time.

IMO

[Seth]

I just want to toss out there that nobody would be a priest or judge on their own. They would only be doing what he would be doing through them,  just like Jesus. The responsibility is on God, not this followers. Him through them.

[marie glen]

   :Chinscratch: this is making me think.. I've always tended to think of priests as sort of counselors.. And when it mentions judging, like the judges of Israel in the Old Testament.. again more like counselors..

So I thought I'd examine the verses a little more - "and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." (rev 1:6) & "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." (rev 5:10)

    :Chinscratch: to "reign on earth", may not necessarily mean to reign over other people, but to have dominion even as Adam did in the beginning?

G935 - "kings" also includes, "leader", "chief".. and "through the notion of foundation of power" and to be honest, "sometimes definitely emperor" (which doesn't appeal to me at all :laughing7: )

G2409 - "priest" - "one who offers sacrifice" (oh! :gsmile: )

[cross-reference? - 1 Peter 2:5 - Amp Ver - "You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ."]

..."For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things." (Ro 11:36) Of course, ultimately (I think) all will be in direct union with Yahweh with no need for pastors or priests (as there presently are priests)

1 Peter 2:9
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Isaiah 61:6 (KJV)
"But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves."
         --------- but Young's Literal says it like this - "And ye are called `Priests of Jehovah,' `Ministers of our God,' is said of you, The strength of nations ye consume, And in their honour ye do boast yourselves."

:Chinscratch:

Isaiah chapter 61
-- 1 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, 3 To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." 4 And they shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. 5 Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the foreigner shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers. 6 But you shall be named the priests of the Lord, they shall call you the servants of our God. You shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory you shall boast. 7 Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs. 8 "For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will direct their work in truth, and will make with them an everlasting covenant. 9 Their descendants shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people. All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the posterity whom the Lord has blessed." 10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. 11 For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

From Exodus 19
Israel at Mount Sinai
...4 You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself. 5 Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; 6 and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."... (separated for a purpose - "to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light"..?

Hebrews 13 -
20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Amen! :Chinscratch: very interesting.. :Peace2: :girlheart:

[GodIsLove]

Do you believe it is literally 144,000 people?

I have read it is symbolic, as is most of Revelation:

"12 (the number of the tribes) is both squared and multiplied by 1,000 — a twofold way of emphasizing completeness"

[Seth]

I read it symbolically myself.