"But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment? ' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. ' For many are called, but few are chosen.
-- Matthew 22:11-14, ESV
Sometimes we sit through a church service or listen to a sermon and wonder when it is going to end. Sometimes as I read and study God's word I wonder, when is this world going to end? God has not told me when, but He has told me how. The end of Jesus' ministry on earth is not a crucifixion and resurrection. Rather, it will be a banquet and a bonfire.
Matthew's emphasis is on Jesus as the Messianic King of Kings. Here he offers this image of a great wedding banquet thrown by the King for His son. But just who is there?
Those who attend this banquet will be those who honor the King's word. The King sends forth His word through His servants (prophets, preachers, witnesses). They testify of the King's invitation. Many ignore it, but a precious few find in it the good news that leads to abundant and eternal life.
Those who attend this banquet will be those who honor the King's Son. I got my first job out of college because I had been nice to someone's son. A parent loves those who love his or her child.
Those who attend this banquet will be those who honor the King. They bring nothing to the table but their need. They bow before the King, acknowledge Him as Supreme, and ask for what only He can give. Then, the celebration begins. But not all will celebrate with the King.
At this present time, tragedy and triumph run in a continuous cycle. In the end-time to come, the two will run on very separate tracks. While one group is enjoying the eternal bliss of the banquet, a larger group will be suffering through the torment of a bonfire, otherwise known as Hell.
People who go to this end-time place will be those who on earth who were too busy to listen to God. Too many today are more concerned with business and pleasure than with the Father and the Son. They are apathetic towards the gospel, the church, and the things of Christ.
People who live in this end-time place will be those who on earth were too proud or pleasure-seeking to submit to God's word. Worldly people would much prefer to be rebels rather than subjects. They don't make movies like "Servant without a Cause" or TV shows about "Friends" who abstain from premarital sex, serve God, and go to church.
The last image of a person being tossed into the bonfire of Hell is the most frightening. He thought he was going to the banquet. But he was wearing the soiled clothes of his own religious making, instead of the righteous robe of Christ which comes by grace through faith.
You can almost hear the table being set and the candles being lit. The end is yet to begin, but surely it is near. Will you be chosen? God knows. He is sovereign, and He does the choosing. But you can know and you can choose, too, for though He is sovereign, God keeps out no one who wants to come to Him His way.
In high school, I was invited to Florida State University, to home football games, even to Coach Bobby Bowden's home. However, on national signing day, I was not offered a scholarship. I was invited, but not chosen. As a baseball player, I was invited to a one-day camp with the Pittsburgh Pirates. When the draft came the next week, I was not picked. I was invited, but not chosen. My ability was not good enough.
If you are trusting in your own ability to go to Heaven, you will not be chosen. However, if you listen to the gospel and the word of God, plead for the grace and mercy of God, and follow in obedience to the Son of God, you are not trusting in ability but in God's grace, and grace will lead you home.
Works wind up at the bonfire, but grace grants a place at God's table. Bonfire or banquet? Many are invited, but few are chosen. Where will you be at the beginning of the end?
Chuck DeVane is the pastor of Lake Hamilton Baptist Church in Hot Springs, 5963 Central Ave. Call him at 501-525-8339 or email [email protected].