February 24, 2005
8. HOLD YOUR PEACE. A condition that prevails because of the presence of the Lord. Hush, hold your tongue because of the awesome closeness of the living Lord. The glory, the majesty of the Lord is such an impressive appearance that it causes one to be silent. Zeph. 1:7 While the words of Zephaniah were directed at the people of his day, there is a familiar ring to his words in relationship to the marriage of the Kings son. Frequently the prophets of old, while addressing situations that related to their day, speaking by the Spirit. they would be interjected a message for the future as well.
THE KINGDOM IN A PARABLE. All parables spoken by the Lord Jesus contained vital truths. The story He told of the marriage of the son of a king shows in great detail the condition of the hearts of those found in the church, today. Most people would be happy, maybe even proud to be invited to the wedding feast of some great person who was of prominent standing in the community. Not those of whom Jesus spoke, they refused to come. To be unable to attend, is one thing, but to blatantly refuse to attend is insulting. Mt. 22:2-3 For the second time an invitation is extended, perhaps to people of lower status. Note, the statement is made that the sacrifices necessary were all made and the wedding dinner was ready. Here we see the similarity with the prophecy of Zephaniah. Injury added to insult. Not only did they refuse. They made a joke of the whole affair. Each one continuing with their daily routine. Those who had little better to do began to beat and even killed the messengers of the king. What stupidity, do they for one moment think that a king will not retaliate? Mt. 22:4-6 Sure enough, at a time that should be a time of rejoicing the wrath of the king was made manifest. The judgments of the Lord will come upon the world of the antichrist after the marriage of the Lamb. During that period of time known as the great tribulation. The kings sent his armies. They killed the murders and burned their city to the ground. The Lord is long-suffering but there is a day of retribution. Mt. 22:7 The third and last invitation is extended. It is stated that those who belong to the previous categories were not worthy. Mt. 22:8 They were the religious leaders, the politicians, the well known and famous. No doubt many of whom had associated many times with the king. This time the invitation is extended to the whosoever will. Anyone found on the highways and byways was to be made welcome to the wedding feast. Like a purse seine gathers in fish of every species, so the servants of the king brought them into the courts of the king. How awe stricken most of them must have been. They were in the courts of the king. An area of life that was foreign to most of them. Now they were his guests, perhaps even to be made his friends. The mixed multitude, the good and the bad, are now situated in “high places.” Mt. 22:9-10 Unfortunately for one man. He did not have on a wedding garment.