THE ANGER OF THE KING. His reactions were just. The inhabitants of his kingdom were termed, murderers. They deserved the punishment that was measured out to them. Their cities were destroyed by the armies under the command of the King. Even to Jerusalem. No one appreciates rejection, how much more a King. Their actions were deplorable and were deserving of the judgment that they received. The King then considered those whom he had invited, in the past as being unworthy. Amazingly, he will issue yet another invitation. This time to a different group and with different results.
THE THIRD INVITATION. No longer to one nation but now extended to the whosoever will. Guests were sought in the highways and the hedges, a great mixture gathered together to fill the banqueting room. Bad and good alike were brought together in one place. No distinctions were made all were welcomed heartily.
A MAN WITHOUT A WEDDING GARMENT. The King enter the banqueting hall to see the guests. No doubt it gave Him great pleasure to see the place crowded with those who gladly responded to his invitation. It is my understanding that the king furnished the necessary garb for the guests. That would certainly seem plausible with this crowd who were plucked from the streets in rather an impromptu manner. Perhaps the man had a new garment on, or even a religious robe of some sort. It is obvious that he considered his own clothing to be of sufficient covering and acceptability. Note the King addressed him in a kindly manner, calling him Friend. His approach was certainly not adversarial. The question was and is, where is the wedding garment? Unmistakably, it was most necessary that it be worn at the feast. The poor man was speechless. He had no answer and there was none. He should have had the wedding garment on, and he knew it. The breach of etiquette was so gross that the king passed immediate judgment upon him. He was taken away, bound hand and feet and cast out into outer darkness where there will be weeping or sorrow, plus gnashing of teeth or great pain and anguish. There are two vital truths that must be gleaned from this story. The first is that there is a wedding garment and it must be applied and worn for the wedding. The second is, that those without the wedding garment will be excluded from the wedding and must face the great tribulation. Purely and simply, those who enter the tribulation, if they attempt to maintain their Christianity they will be persecuted and martyred. Unfortunately, many will deny the Lord and in this manner be lost.
BRIEFLY, WHAT IS THE WEDDING GARMENT? It is having been purchased by the blood of Christ and our acknowledgment of the same. Acts 20:28 It is being obedient to the Word and being baptized into Christ, i.e., into His Name, the Lord Jesus Christ (study the book of Acts). Gal. 3:27 It is to have < put on > the new man, that man living according to New Testament standards. Col. 3:10 It a renewal of the mind, in thinking and language, by the Spirit. It is being filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:1, Eph. 5:18 It likewise involves being filled with all the fullness of God. Eph. 3:19 It is the wearing of that man that is created after the likeness of God in righteousness and true holiness. Eph. 4:24 The motivating factor of all this is LOVE, our love for the Lord. If we truly love him we will want to pattern our life after His. It is LOVE that is the sealing element of the many member body of Christ into one body. Col. 3:14