Bride of Christ – Post #9

From my handwritten journal entry for 2/23/2025

I am grateful for the voice of Your Spirit!

And he saith unto me, “Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he saith unto me, “These are the true sayings of God.”

Revelation 19:9

Me: Good morning, Father!

Abba: Good morning, Jon!

Look: Matthew 22:1-14 in which are the words of Jesus’ parable of the wedding banquet. But I want you to consider this parable in light of the passion in my heart.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

The sons of the promise I made to Abraham have only intermittently sought My presence but have consistently returned to that which divided their attention. Though I have sought them continually, still their hearts have not returned. This is what Jesus was relating in the first seven verses of Matthew 22.

Me: Surely this is not the end of the story for Israel, is it?

Abba: May it never be! That is part of the message of the Holy Spirit to you yesterday. Israel was no more able to attain to the demands for righteous behavior under the Old Covenant than anyone else. The law should have convinced them of their inability to keep it outside of Me but they continued to congratulate themselves on being descended from Abraham and therefore in line for the promise I made to him (Genesis 12:1-3). Now they are invited as part of the second group in the parable (Matthew 22:8 and Revelation 19:9).

Again, look at the last part of the parable (verses 11-14), the king’s response to the man not wearing “wedding clothes”, provided for everyone for the host. This compares to the robe of righteousness provided by Jesus:

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 61:10 KJV

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

Revelatiohn 19:8

This clean white linen garment is representative of the righteousness of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

And this:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Matthew 7:21-23 KJV

John 6:27-29 provides stark contrast to the works of those seeking to enter on their own righteousness and self-effort:

Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Me: Thank You Father! I love You! Thank You for the eternal provision and right standing that come through relationship with You, though Jesus!

Abba: You are welcome! I love you (which should be obvious by now)!

PS: I have mentioned it before, but quoting from the KJV is not because I am especially enamored of the translation, but because it is in the public domain.