Your post today is also a double witness to me of something that I recently discussed with a Doves reader.Your post:You mention the Rapture being special for those who are watching for the King of Kings, our Bridegroom. I had made the following statement a short time ago:"We, the set apart ones, are to be busy getting our garments washed clean, without wrinkle or blemish."I received this letter:It almost seems here as if you mean that we in our own efforts (ie. works) should be getting our garments washed clean. First off...we have no garments yet...all we presently have is this sordid flesh--which must die, or be transformed by the LORD when he comes for us. The white robes of righteousness purchased by the blood of the Lamb of God will be given to us when are in the presence of the LORD (Rev. 6:11). There is not a thing we can do in our own strength. It is all by the grace of God, not of works lest anyone should be able to boast (Eph. 2:8-9). If we are truly the Lord's, He Himself will make sure that we are without spot and wrinkle, for that is why He gave Himself for us (Eph. 5:26-27).I responded with the following:Matthew 22:1-14:
"And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, 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 to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, 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 them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 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. 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? And he was speechless. 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 of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen."
I just read what Jan wrote at 5Ds, (which appears to be the same post that was published today) after sending my reply to this person. BTW, I always ask the Lord to give me a reply from His Word, and that passage IMMEDIATELY popped into my head. Jan quoted the same passage, but in the context that the wedding is about to take place, and not all are called to attend. It even implies that many who think they are on the guest list are too busy to RSVP. I personally will make sure I have a clean spotless garment to wear to the wedding. If others want to show up expecting the bridegroom to provide him one, he may be surprised to be cast out. A double witness, thank you!