Who doesn’t like weddings? But did you know that God has invited you to a wedding? Yes, it’s true. All humanity has been invited.

In this post, we will look at who are the bride and bridegroom, God’s costly preparations for the wedding, the forever blessing of being present at the wedding and how to get ready for it, as well as looking at those who miss out on the blessing.

An Introduction to God

Before we get into a discussion about God’s invitation to you to a wedding, let’s get some things clear about God. Who is God? God is a Family of three divine Persons, namely, the Father, the Son called Christ, and the Holy Spirit. This Family is known as “the Godhead” (Acts 17:29) in the Bible.

For those who are new to Bible notation, “Acts 17:29,” for example, is a reference to the Bible, which is a collection of books. In the Bible, each book consists of one or more chapters, and each chapter has numbered sections called verses. The quotation referred to as “Acts 17:29” is taken from the book of Acts in the Bible, the 17^th chapter, and the 29^th verse.

Now, the three members of the Godhead “all speak the same thing, and…there be no divisions among…[them] but…[they] be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10.

That is to say, the members of the Godhead operate as a single Family unit, and so we can say, “there is one God.” Mark 12:32. They never contradict each other at any time.

What is God like? “God is love.” 1 John 4:8.

Our Bible Verses of Focus

For the purpose of our discussion, we will focus on the following Bible verse.

“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 that were bidden [invited] to the wedding: and they would not come.” Matthew 22:2, 3.

Marriages in Ancient Israel

According to the custom of ancient Israel, a woman became a bride when she was promised to be given in marriage (betrothed) to a man. At this time, the man and woman were considered to be married to each other even though the bride (wife) was still living with her former household.

That is, after the betrothal (espousal), the bridegroom (husband) would depart to go and prepare a house that the couple could call their home. During the waiting period before the bride (wife) and bridegroom actually started living together, they were both expected to be faithful to their marriage vows to each other by not entering into a relationship with anyone else.

Then came the day of the wedding feast when the bride (wife) was taken from her former household to the home prepared by the bridegroom (husband) and there would be a celebration of the marriage in the presence of invited guests. Thereafter, the husband and wife would live together in their new home.

The Context of the Wedding with Its Invited Guests

There was a time when God created intelligent beings with a character of perfect love that was identical to God’s character of love. At that time, love, joy, peace, and harmony reigned throughout all the universe.

However, this universal bliss was broken by an angel of high rank in heaven named “Lucifer.” Isaiah 14:12. This angel’s name was changed by God to “Satan” (1 Chronicles 21:1) because he rebelled against God and caused other angels to join him in his rebellion.

Thus, God cast wicked Satan and his “evil angels” (Psalm 78:49) out of heaven until the time they will receive their punishment of eternal death (annihilation) on God’s judgment day.

Now, Satan roamed the universe to find others to take his side of the conflict with God and he came to the earth. Here on earth, Satan was successful in causing the first human pair, a man named Adam and a woman named Eve, to rebel against God by sinning, which is evildoing.

Likewise, all of Adam and Eve’s descendants have inherited their disposition to sin and these descendants also rebel against God by sinning. Therefore, humanity, just like Satan and his evil angels, is destined to receive eternal death (annihilation) from God on His judgment day.

The context then of the wedding with its invited guests is the ongoing conflict in the universe between God and Satan and Satan’s followers, namely, his evil angels and all humanity.

The Separation Between God and the Humanity

Now, it came to pass that “they [Adam and Eve] heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden [of Eden] in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife [Eve] hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.” Genesis 3:8. Thus, Adam and Eve were separated from God.

So, all humanity are such that “they [have] refused to hearken [obey God], and [have] pulled away the shoulder, and [have] stopped their ears, that they should not hear [God’s words to them].” Zechariah 7:11.

As a result of their sin, humanity has “the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God [alienated from living together in perfect love just like the Godhead] through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.” Ephesians 4:18. Thus, humanity have separated themselves from God.

On the other hand, God says, “I hate the work of them that turn aside [from my ways of love].” Psalm 101:3. “I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:128.

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save [you from your sins]; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear [you]: But your iniquities [evildoings] have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear [you].” Isaiah 59:1, 2.

For God says, all humanity can say of themselves in truth, “If I regard iniquity [wickedness] in my heart, the Lord [God] will not hear me.” Psalm 66:18. Thus, God is also Himself separated from humanity.

What then? Must this mutual separation between God and the human race be permanent? Is there no way to resolve this? Yes, there is! God has taken the initiative to solve the problem and that is why He has invited you to a wedding. Continue reading and all will be made clear to you.

God’s Heart of Love for His Invited Guests

God says to humanity, “How shall I give thee up” (Hosea 11:8), “my children” (Jeremiah 10:20)? how shall I deliver thee…[to eternal death (annihilation)]?…mine heart is turned within me, my repentings [love and pity] are kindled together.” Hosea 11:8. “Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.” Jeremiah 10:19.

This then is God’s great heart of love towards humanity and, therefore, God has invited all humanity to a wedding.

The Bride and You, the Invited Guest

Since God has invited you to a wedding, the question that arises is, Who is the bride?

“The church of God” (Acts 20:28), which is composed of all those people who have ever lived since the time of Adam and Eve and who have been made holy by God, is the bride. In other words, the church is composed of all the “saints” (Deuteronomy 33:3) of God.

For God says, “I have likened the [church of God known as the] daughter of Zion to a comely [beautiful] and delicate [refined] woman.” Jeremiah 6:2. Thus, in the Bible, the Church of God is often referred to as a woman.

So, God says of His church, “I will betroth thee unto me [promise to marry you] for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me [promise to marry you] in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me [promise to marry you] in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD [God].” Hosea 2:19, 20.

What does the bride which is the church have to do with you the individual? Well, everything, for every human being is called by God to be a member of His church.

In other words, God has invited all humanity to the wedding of God to His church. They are all invited guests.

Now, God gave a vision, which is supernatural mental imagery, to a man named John, and John wrote down what he saw: “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband [God].” Revelation 21:2.

What does this mean? The Bible often refers, symbolically, to God’s church, His bride, as Jerusalem. For the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from heaven to the earth will be the dwelling place of God and His church (the saints of God) forever.

The Bridegroom

If God’s church is the bride and all humanity are invited guests to the wedding, who then is the bridegroom?

God’s answer is, “I am jealous over you [the saints of God] with godly jealousy: for I have espoused [promised you, the church, in marriage] you to one husband [bridegroom], that I may present you [the church] as a chaste [undefiled] virgin to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:2.

“For thy Maker [Christ]” (Isaiah 54:5), “thy Creator” (Ecclesiastes 12:1), “is thine [the church’s] husband [bridegroom]; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer [the One who has bought you back from captivity to Satan] the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.” Isaiah 54:5.

So then, Christ Himself is the member of the Godhead who is the bridegroom of the church, His bride.

God’s Plans to Win the Love of the Invited Guests

God says, “I [God] drew them [humanity to me] with cords of a man, with bands of love.” Hosea 11:4.

For “behold, I [God] will allure [attract] her [humanity], and bring her [humanity] into the wilderness [a place of deliverance from bondage to Satan where I will prepare humanity for a glorious future with me, God], and speak comfortably [kindly] unto her.” Hosea 2:14.

“And it shall be…that…saith the LORD, that thou [humanity] shalt call me [God] Ishi [My Husband]; and shalt call me no more Baali [My Master].” Hosea 2:16.

In other words, “A friend [God] loveth at all times, and a brother [Christ] is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17. “A man [God] that hath friends must shew [show] himself friendly: and there is a friend [Christ] that sticketh closer [to humanity] than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24.

Thus, God plans to win the hearts of humanity so that they are obedient to His law of love which states, “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” (Deuteronomy 6:5) and “thou shalt love thy neighbour [fellow human being] as thyself.” Leviticus 19:18.

For God knows that only by giving His love to humanity (the invited guests to the wedding of Christ and the church) can love be awakened in the hearts of human beings in return.

The Breaking Apart of the Godhead to Make Ready for the Invited Guests

As it happened, over 2,000 years ago and six months after the birth of a man named “John the Baptist” (Matthew 11:12), “there were…shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore [very] afraid.” Luke 2:8, 9.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people [humanity]. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour [Deliverer], which is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10, 11.

“And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe [baby] wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger [feeding trough for animals].” Luke 2:12.

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men [all humanity].” Luke 2:13, 14.

So it was that Christ was born in human flesh as a baby boy named “Jesus” (Matthew 1:21) six months after the birth of “John the Baptist.” Matthew 11:12.

Now John the Baptist, when He was grown to become an adult, preached about the coming of the Messiah, that is, the Deliverer from sin.

Not long afterwards, Christ Himself, said of Himself, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12.

In this manner, Christ described the breaking apart of the Godhead whereby Christ left heaven and dwelt on earth in human flesh as violence.

Why did Christ come to the earth? He came to make humanity, who are the invited guests to His wedding, ready for the wedding.

The Sufferings of the Bridegroom on Behalf of the Invited Guests

For the purpose of benefitting the invited guests to His wedding, Christ voluntarily suffered many things.

The Bridegroom’s Inner Conflict on Behalf of the Invited Guests

Now “forasmuch then as the children [humanity] are partakers of flesh and blood, he [Christ] also himself likewise took part of the same [flesh and blood].” Hebrews 2:14.

“For verily [truly] he took not on him the nature of [holy] angels; but he took on him the [sinful nature of the] seed [descendants] of [a man named] Abraham [who are representative of all sinful humanity].”  Hebrews 2:16.

This is not to say that Christ was sinful, only that the sinful nature of humanity was mysteriously blended with Christ’s “divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4) which is holy.

So then, Christ is He “who in the days of his flesh [human body], when he had offered up prayers and supplications [earnest pleas] with strong crying and tears unto him [the Father] that was able to save him from death…was heard [by the Father] in that he [Christ] feared [reverenced God].” Hebrews 5:7.

Christ pleaded with the Father in prayer and with tears because He had within Him a constant inner conflict between the sinful nature and the holy, divine nature. Christ’s prayer was for moral strength to overcome all temptations to sins, so that His divine nature would have supremacy over the sinful nature.

Thus, Christ, “though he were a Son [of God], yet learned he obedience by the things which he [Christ] suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation [of saving from eternal death (annihilation) ] unto all them that obey him.” Hebrews 5:8, 9.

This then is the victory which Christ, the bridegroom, had over all temptations to sin and He endured the inner conflict on behalf of all humanity who are the invited guests to His wedding.

The Bridegroom Sacrifices Himself for the Invited Guests

Christ, while He was on earth, came to the point where He said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.” Matthew 26:8.

Why was Christ sorrowful? The reason was that the sins of all human beings who would ever live were placed upon Him by God as Christ was humanity’s Sin Bearer. Since His divine nature had supremacy over the sinful nature within Him, He sorrowed, that is, had deep remorse for sin which is to say, He repented of every sin.

At that time, “being in an agony he [Christ] prayed…earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:44. It was the distress of being considered guilty by God of “the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2) that caused his sweat to be bloody.

He was arrested by the wicked Jewish leaders who hated Him and given the pretense of a fair trial and condemned to death by these leaders. Because the Jewish had no authority to execute the death sentence, they handed Christ over to the Roman governor on false charges against Him.

In the course of what transpired in the trial by the Roman governor, Christ was whipped twice. That is, twice did they “beat [whip] him [Christ]…with many stripes [blows]” (Deuteronomy 25:3)—each time “forty stripes [blows] save [less] one” (2 Corinthians 11:24)—for a total of 78 blows.

After this, when “it was the third hour [9:00 a.m.], and they crucified him [Christ]” (Mark 15:25) by nailing His hands and feet to a t-shaped wooden structure called a cross.

“And about the ninth hour [3:00 p.m.] Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46. “And he [Christ] bowed his head, and gave up the ghost [breathed His last breath and died].” John 19:30.

Christ died so “that he by the grace [favour] of God should taste [eternal] death for every man [every human being].” Hebrews 2:9.

And ever since that time, Christ says to all humanity, “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the LORD [God] hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger [for all the sins of the human race].” Lamentations 1:12.

This then is how Christ, the bridegroom, sacrificed Himself on behalf of the human race who are the invited guests to His wedding.

God’s Purposes Regarding the Invited Guests Fulfilled

Now Christ was raised from the dead to life again and He ascended to heaven where He is to this day.

“God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us [the human race], even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us [made us eternally alive] together with Christ, (by grace [God’s unmerited favour] ye [humanity] are saved [from eternal death (annihilation)];) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in [a living connection with] Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-6.

“That in the ages to come he [God] might shew the exceeding riches of his grace [His unmerited favour] in his kindness toward us [the human race] through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7.

“In whom [that is, in Christ] we have redemption through his [Christ’s] blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his [God’s] grace [God’s unmerited favour]; wherein he [God] hath abounded toward us [toward humanity] in all wisdom and prudence.” Ephesians 1:7, 8.

“And you [all humanity], that were sometime [once] alienated and enemies [of God] in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he [God] reconciled [to Himself].” Colossians 1:21.

Thus, Christ through His death, has secured for every human being the forgiveness of their sins by God, provided they meet God’s requirements of repentance for their sins and faith in Christ as the One who saves them from their sins.

In this way then God’s purposes regarding the invited guests (every human being) have been fulfilled.

God Prepares a Feast for His Invited Guests

God says, “In this mountain [where the holy city, new Jerusalem, shall rest on earth] shall the LORD [God] of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees [dregs], of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees [dregs] well refined.” Isaiah 25:6.

What does this mean? “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord [God], that we which are alive and remain [on earth] unto the [second] coming of the Lord [Jesus Christ] shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep [which died]. For the Lord [Jesus Christ] himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump [trumpet] of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first [to life again].” 1 Thessalonians 4:15, 16.

“Then we which are alive and remain [on earth] shall be caught up together with them [those who have been raised to life again by God] in the clouds, to meet the Lord [Jesus Christ] in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord [Jesus Christ].” 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

“And they [the saints of God] shall see his [God’s] face” (Revelation 22:4) which is to say, the face-to-face communion with God which Adam and Eve originally had will be restored to the saints of God.

This is the promise of a future eternal life with God. At that time, God will say to those saved from eternal death (annihilation), “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21.

For God says, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9.

But in actuality heaven begins while we are living on earth. Because even now, for those people who meet God’s requirements, God says, “For as a young man marrieth a virgin…and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” Isaiah 62:5.

And now every saint of God can say of themselves, “Thou [God] wilt shew me the path of [eternal] life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11.

Thus, God has indeed prepared a feast for the invited guests (humanity) to the wedding of Christ with God’s church.

God Promises to Make the Invited Guests Ready for the Wedding

When Jesus Christ was on earth, “Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:12, 13.

Thus, God signified that His purpose is to cast out the demons (Satan and his evil angels) who control the will of all the invited guests. God calls these demons thieves because they seek to steal away the affections of the invited guests (the human race) from God.

In casting out the demons, God seeks to make the invited guests holy and righteous, which is to say, ready for the wedding of His church with Christ. This God does by supernaturally implanting Christ’s righteousness in them to make them holy.

In other words, Christ’s actions are such “that he [Christ] might sanctify and cleanse it [His church] with the washing of water by the word, [the Bible,] that he [Christ] might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:26, 27.

For God says, “And there shall in no wise [not at all] enter into it [the holy city, the new Jerusalem] any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s [Christ’s] book of life.” Revelation 21:27.

Therefore, humanity can know that it is “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us [the human race] with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he [the Father] hath chosen us [the human race] in [a living connection with] him [Christ] before the foundation of the world, that we [the human race] should be holy and without blame before him [the Father] in love.” Ephesians 1:3, 4.

“Having predestinated us [the human race] unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself [the Father], according to the good pleasure of his [the Father’s] will, to the praise of the glory of his grace [God’s unmerited favour], wherein he [the Father] hath made us [the saints of God] accepted in the beloved [Christ].” Ephesians 1:5, 6.

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us [the saints of God] eternal life, and this life is in [those people who have a living connection with] his Son [as a branch that is connected to a vine receives nourishment from the vine].” 1 John 5:11.

“He that hath [a living connection with] the Son hath [eternal] life; and he that hath not [a living connection with] the Son of God hath not [eternal] life.” 1 John 5:12.

This then is how God promises to make all the invited guests ready for the wedding.

God Invites You: The Parable of the Wedding Feast

When Jesus Christ was on earth, “Jesus answered and spake [spoke] unto them [the people]…by parables [short stories giving moral instruction], and said, 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 that were bidden [invited] to the wedding: and they would not come.” Matthew 22:1-3.

“Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden [invited], Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew [killed] them.” Matthew 22:6, 7.

“But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth [enraged]: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.” Matthew 22:7.

“Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden [invited] were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid [invite] to the marriage.” Matthew 22:8, 9.

“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.” Matthew 22:10.

The King Meets the Invited Guests: The Parable of the Wedding Feast

“And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment [which I have provided for you]? And he was speechless.” Matthew 22:11, 12.

“Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing [grinding] of teeth. For many are called [invited], but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:13, 14.

The Parable of the Wedding Feast Explained

There is a depth of meaning to the parable of the wedding feast which is not immediately obvious to the reader of the parable. Let us now then explore the meaning of this parable.

The key point to note is that the wedding garment in the parable is Christ’s righteousness.

The Invited Guests Have No Desire to Come to the Wedding

It can be said in truth of all the invited guests to the wedding, “No man [no person] also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.” Luke 5:39.

What does this mean? It means that all humanity naturally have no desire to be made ready for the wedding by God. That is, they have no desire as invited guests to come the wedding between God’s church and Christ.

All humanity, therefore, initially refuse to come to the wedding due to their various inclinations as we will now discuss. The good news is that some people will allow God to give them a change of heart and will, therefore, attend the wedding.

The Invited Guests Who are Only Concerned with the Affairs of This World

Some invited guests are like those described by the following parable which was spoken by Christ.

Christ said, “A certain man made a great supper, and bade [invited] many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden [invited], Come; for all things are now ready.” Luke 14:16, 17.

“And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.” Luke 14:18.

“And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen [cows], and I go to prove [test] them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” Luke 14:19, 20.

All these invited guests were only concerned with the affairs of this world and, so, they did not set aside any time in their life for the wedding.

The Invited Guests Who Hate the Bridegroom

Some invited guests are like those in the following parable which was spoken by Christ.

“He [Christ] said…A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.” Luke 19:12.

“And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy [trade with the money] till I come.” Luke 19:13.

“But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.” Luke 19:14.

Thus, these invited guests hate Christ, the bridegroom, and so they refuse to come to the wedding.

The Invited Guests Who Make a Pretence of Accepting the Invitation

God said, “And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly [in pretense], saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 3:10.

That is to say, these invited guests make a pretense of accepting God’s invitation to the wedding. They say, “Yes”, but they do not attend the wedding.

The Invited Guests Who Prefer their Own Wedding Garment

God describes some invited guests as follows: “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:3.

In other words, these invited guests prefer their own wedding garment to that provided by God.

How Many Invited Guests Genuinely Accept God’s Invitation?

In light of all the above, how many are there then among humanity who genuinely accept God’s invitation to the wedding?

Christ gives the answer in the form of parable spoken to all humanity: “Enter ye in at the strait [narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction [eternal death (annihilation)], and many there be which go in thereat [there]: Because strait [narrow] is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto [eternal] life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13, 14.

How many? Few, God says. How sad! For God speaks of those who refuse to attend the wedding for one reason or another as “the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.” Revelation 20:8.

God’s Tears Because of Some of the Invited Guests

Now, God says, “As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked [those who refuse God’s invitation in whatever way]; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die [eternally (be annihilated)]…?” Ezekiel 33:11.

For to those invited guests who refuse God’s invitation to the wedding, God says, “If ye will not hear it [accept my invitation to the wedding], my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD’S flock is carried away captive [by Satan].” Jeremiah 13:17.

“Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain [dead] of…my people!” Jeremiah 9:1.

“Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease.” Jeremiah 14:17.

Thus, God is moved to tears by the refusal of many among humanity to accept His invitation to the wedding.

God Rewards the Wickedness of Some Invited Guests

God says to those invited guests who refuse His invitation to the wedding, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses [with Satan], know ye not that the friendship of the world [friendship with Satan] is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world [of Satan] is the enemy of God.” James 4:4.

Speaking of Himself God says, “The LORD shall rise up…he shall be wroth [enraged]…that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act.” Isaiah 28:21.

What is God’s strange act? It is when God says, figuratively, to the holy angels, “Those mine enemies, which would not that I [God] should reign over them, bring hither [here to me], and slay [kill] them before me.” Luke 19:27.

The end result of God’s strange act is that those invited guests who refuse God’s invitation to the wedding will receive eternal death (annihilation) from God because they remain in their sins.

God’s Joy Because of the Wedding of the Bride and the Bridegroom

On the other hand, God speaks of those invited guests who had genuinely accepted His invitation to the wedding and had put on the wedding garment provided by God, saying, “Let us [the Godhead] be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him [Christ, the bridegroom]: for the marriage of the Lamb [Christ] is come, and his wife [the bride, who is God’s church] hath made herself ready.” Revelation 19:7.

“And to her [the bride of Christ which is God’s church] was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints [of God].” Revelation 19:8.

“Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb…These are the true sayings of God.” Revelation 19:9.

This then is God’s joy at the wedding of the bride, God’s church, and Christ, the Bridegroom.

How Can I Put On God’s Wedding Garment?

The question that arises then, How can I put on God’s wedding garment? The answer is start on your own spiritual journey with God.

Such a journey if entered on sincerely will cause you to be forgiven of your sins (your evil and wrongdoings) by God and to receive Christ’s righteousness from God and, hence, eternal life from God.

How do I start this spiritual journey? By yielding to the Holy Spirit so that you turn away from all evil and choose to live according to God’s ways of love. Not what you think are God’s ways, but God’s ways as He Himself teaches you and reveals in the Bible.

Conclusion

In this post, we have looked at the meaning of our Bible verses of focus: “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 that were bidden [invited] to the wedding: and they would not come.” Matthew 22:2, 3.

We have seen that God desires to give eternal life to all humanity and this is why He has invited humanity to a wedding. That is to say, all humanity is invited to become a part of God’s church which is the bride of Christ who is the bridegroom.

Many among humanity refuse eternal life by refusing God’s invitation and they bring sorrow to God’s heart since they have chosen eternal death (annihilation). On the other hand, those who sincerely accept God’s invitation bring joy to God’s heart.

So, I appeal to you, be swift to accept God’s invitation to the wedding and receive the blessing of living happily with God forever.

How This Blog Teaches Bible Study

My blog posts take one or more Bible verses and unpack what is often the hidden meaning in them, to help you to gain in your understanding of the Bible, and to receive insights into how to study it. For God says, “Study [the Bible] to shew [show] thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing [interpreting] the word of truth [the Bible].” 2 Timothy 2:15. There are new blog posts every two weeks on a Monday at 12:01 a.m. in timezone UTC-5 (GMT-5).

Further Reading

Image: Photos by Lanty at unsplash.com.