A PARABLE


 

 

A certain king who was very rich called for a great wedding dinner and feast in the honor of his son. His call went out to the far reaches of his kingdom. In the proclamation of the coming feast, the rich king made certain stipulations that would have to be observed, because he knew that the vast majority of people could not afford to be dressed properly for this grand occasion, he decided to hand out TICKETS TO HIS FEAST. The ticket was in fact a written INVITATION, WITH AN RSVP ATTACHED. Included in the instruction was the fact that this was an RSVP ONLY OCCASION. You had to respond. Secondly, you had to go downtown and purchase, AT THE RICH MAN’S EXPENSE, A WHITE ROBE. You had to go to a specific place, well marked, and you had to follow the instructions to enter the clothing place. If anyone showed up WITHOUT THE PROPER AND AUTHORIZED WHITE ROBE, THEY WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO ENTER. The guards of the rich man’s estate had orders to forcibly evict anyone who did attempt to enter without their proper white robe.

The kingdom was abuzz over the coming feast. Many people sent in their RSVP right away and said they would be there. The date of the feast was set, and the rich man was happy at the coming event. When the people went into the city to obtain their WHITE ROBES, they found that the entrance to the address given was FULL OF OBSTACLES AND VERY NARROW INDEED. There were so many obstacles in the way that one had to FORCE THEIR WAY THROUGH ONLY ONE AT A TIME, AND THEN THEY HAD TO STRUGGLE AS NEVER BEFORE IN THEIR LIVES. They had to REALLY WANT TO GO TO THE WEDDING TO PUT UP WITH ALL OF THIS. After they were past the GATE, they found a very NARROW STAIRWAY that descended many stories into foreboding darkness. The stairs were narrow and dangerous, and wet and very slippery. You had to hug the wall all the way down, lest you fall and be lost. If you did not hold on to the railing, you would slip and fall to your death.

Many of the people GREW ANGRY because the gate was so strait that they could not bring themselves to try it. Others who had passed it, grew fearful at the narrow way and refused to go further, for fear they might fall. IT TOOK GREAT FAITH AND GREAT DESIRE TO ATTEMPT IT, OTHERWISE THEY SIMPLY COULD NOT DO IT. Some went part way and then they turned back. A group of HUCKSTERS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE GATE. They watched as the people struggled to gain entrance and it gave them an idea. WHY NOT SET UP SHOP OUTSIDE THE GATE, AND PEDDLE WHITE ROBES TO ALL WHO WANTED THEM? They could make a fortune selling the robes, and walk away very rich.

So the HUCKSTERS set up their shops around the entrance of the gate. They put up signs all over saying: “BUY YOUR ROBES HERE, AUTHENTIC ROBES, THEY WILL ALLOW YOU ENTRANCE TO THE FEAST.” They set very high prices, because everyone wanted to go to the wedding, and be part of it, so they reasoned people would PAY THE PRICE DEMANDED. As the entire kingdom had been bidden to come, they knew that here was an opportunity for great merchandising. THEY CALLED THEIR ROBES FAITH ROBES. The people would come and take one look at the STRAIT GATE and decide to purchase their robes from the FAITH HUCKSTERS. They IGNORED THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE RICH MAN. They decided NOT TO OBEY THE INSTRUCTIONS. They went to the MERCHANDISERS OF THE FAITH ROBES AND THEY BOUGHT THEM BY THE THOUSANDS. The FAITH HUCKSTERS BECAME MILLIONAIRES, AND DROVE AROUND IN THE FINEST OF CHARIOTS AND WORE THE MOST EXPENSIVE CLOTHING MONEY COULD BUY.

The KING of the land heard about these HUCKSTERS and issued a warning about them, and told his subjects NOT TO BE DECEIVED, that HIS ROBES WERE THE ONLY ROBES THAT WOULD BE ACCEPTED AT THE WEDDING DINNER.

The FAITH HUCKSTERS, HOWEVER, STATED THEIR ROBES WERE MADE OF THE IDENTICAL MATERIAL, AND FOLLOWED TO THE EXACT LETTER THE ROBES ISSUED BY THE KING. They swore an oath that THEIR ROBES WOULD GAIN ENTRANCE. The sales went into the BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

Only a few persisted in entering the strait gate. They were laughed at by the crowds. They were mocked, called idiots, fanatics. The few would point out to the many what the instructions said. The instructions were so clear that no one could miss what they meant. The many would laugh, and say “IT DOES NOT MEAN WHAT IT SAYS. HOW COULD IT POSSIBLY MEAN THAT?” You don’t really believe that the rich king intends for us to GO THROUGH ALL THAT DO YOU? You’re misinterpreting what he said. He said for us to get a white robe. These robes here are white. You see, the rich man only wants us to  APPEAR CORRECTLY DRESSED.
THE TYPE OF ROBE IS NOT THE POINT.

The point is that we must be properly dressed. There is nothing wrong with these FAITH ROBES.” The few would respond and say, “But it says here WE MUST GO TO THE LOWEST ROOM AND AWAIT FOR THE ROBES TO BE GIVEN US. The robes have to be APPROVED ROBES.” With a wave of the hand their claims were laid aside, and the many SHUT THEIR OWN EYES TO THE COMMANDS OF THE KING.

The HUCKSTERS MADE A FORTUNE. They were very popular. It was very easy to obtain a robe from them, and there was no gate or narrow way to travel to get it. Their robes looked in every way genuine. The merchandisers reputation grew far and wide. The great day of the feast arrived. The people washed and cleaned themselves, put on their beautiful white robes, and began to gather at the gate of the rich King. They came by the thousands, and gathered in groups awaiting entrance. They were all very joyful, full of great happiness. The whole Kingdom had declared a holiday, and all work ceased in honor of the Son’s wedding day. It became quite apparent that there was A VAST DIFFERENCE IN THE ROBES. A few people showed up in robes that were so white they were luminous. It was as if they had their own light within. These robes were beautiful, made of a fabric unknown to anyone that looked at them. “WE KNOW NOT WHAT THESE ROBES ARE MADE OF”. They were envious, jealous, for their robes where just white cotton.

Suddenly the Son appeared. His white robe was SO WHITE IT SHINED WITH THE LIGHT OF A THOUSAND SUNS. All of the guests were stunned by his beauty. The Son said to the guards, there is something wrong here, for I see only a FEW with the proper robes, all of these others have on IMITATIONS. Check them carefully, I will be with you. I KNOW WHOM I GAVE MY ROBES TO. THEY ARE THEY THAT WENT TO THE LOWEST ROOM, AND I AND MY FATHER CAME TO THEM AND GAVE THEM THEIR ROBES. Check each one, we have A MULTITUDE OF COUNTERFEITS HERE.

One by one the people came to the entrance seeking admission to the great feast. One by one the robes were checked to see if they were genuine or not. One by one they appeared before the Son, and one by one He turned them away and said “Get away from me, I NEVER KNEW YOU.” Those that had gone in via the strait gate, and had walked down the narrow way to the lowest room, and had waited, RECOGNIZED THE SON, and HE RECOGNIZED THEM, because they HAD MET HIM IN THE LOWEST ROOM. Their robes were washed in the BLOOD OF THE LAMB. THEY HAD A SHINE TO THEM, A LUMINOUS SHINE. He called them by name, AND LED THEM OUT.

The rich man, the King, the Father of the Bridegroom, was WROTH WITH ANGER. “KILL THE IMPOSTORS,” HE SAID. “BIND THEM HAND AND FOOT AND TOSS THEM INTO OUTER DARKNESS, THEY HAVE DISHONORED MY SON, THEY ARE IMPOSTORS, LIARS, DECEIVERS.” And so it was done. There was much crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth. Which robe do you have on? Is yours a FAITH ROBE? Did you purchase YOUR ROBE FROM THE FAITH ROBE HUCKSTERS? Is your robe made of common white cotton, or is your robe made of SUPERNATURAL MATERIAL? If you have on a faith robe, We urge you with tears, We beseech you to take it off, and enter the strait gate and narrow way. We urge you to go to the LOWEST ROOM, and wait for Him that bade you to come. HE WILL COME:

“So that you come behind in no gift,

WAITING FOR
THE COMING
OF OUR
LORD
JESUS CHRIST:

WHO SHALL
ALSO
CONFIRM YOU UNTO THE END,

THAT YE MAY
BE BLAMELESS
IN THE DAY OF OUR LORD,
JESUS CHRIST.”
(1 Corinthians 1:7-8)


 

Modem theology places this as a second advent verse. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE THAT THIS IS A SECOND ADVENT VERSE. Read it carefully, over and over until you see it. THE BELIEVER IS TO WAIT FOR THE COMING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. The word for “waiting” is “apekdechomai”, which means TO EXPECT FULLY, TO LOOK FOR, TO WAIT FOR. When Christ COMES, He will ALSO CONFIRM YOU UNTO THE END. In other words TWO THINGS HAPPEN; HE COMES AND REVEALS HIMSELF, AND THEN HE ALSO CONFIRMS YOU TO THE END, BECAUSE HE CANNOT DENY HIMSELF.


If this was a second advent verse, IT IS THE END, AND CHRIST NEED NOT CONFIRM US TO ANYTHING. Why do you need to be confirmed IF THE END HAS ALREADY ARRIVED? Either you are in, or you are out. This verse clearly states that YOU ARE TO BE CONFIRMED UNTO THE END. There is going to a period of time between Christ coming to give you agape love and the final CONSUMMATION OF IT ALL. The coming of Christ to the believer IS TO CONFIRM THAT BELIEVER, SEAL THAT BELIEVER UNTO THE END. What is the end? THE DAY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE END. THE DAY OF CHRIST IS THE RESURRECTION AND RAPTURE. It is the coming of the Lord TO CONFIRM YOU VIA AGAPE LOVE BESTOWMENT THAT SEALS YOU UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION. The word “end” is “talos” which means CONCLUSION, TERMINATION, END RESULT.

The word “confirm” here is “bebaioo” which means TO STABILITATE, TO ESTABLISH, TO CONFIRM. The word stabilitate comes from the word stability, which means among other things, “..FIRMNESS IN POSITION; CONTINUANCE WITHOUT CHANGE, PERMANENCE.” It is used to BIND UP TOTALLY, TO CAPTURE AND TO KEEP SAFE. We will get into this in an article on eternal security. WHEN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST COMES, AND UNVEILS AGAPE LOVE TO YOU, AND COMES INTO YOU, YOU ARE AT THAT POINT CONFIRMED, SEALED, BOUND UP. The issue between you and God is settled forever. You are acquitted.

This verse proves that there is a big difference between THE COMING OF CHRIST TO THE BELIEVER AND THE DAY OF CHRIST, WHICH IS THE LITERAL SECOND ADVENT OF CHRIST TO OBTAIN HIS PRIZE, THE BRIDE OF CHRIST. The distinction made is bold, direct. READ YOUR BIBLE CAREFULLY. IT MEANS WHAT IT SAYS.

Notice how it is worded. WE ARE TO WAIT FOR THE COMING OF CHRIST. The word “coming” is “apokalupsis”, which means APPEARING, MANIFESTATION, REVELATION. This is confirmed by Revelation
3:30 (“I will come into him, and sup with him”); by John 14:21 (“I will manifest myself to him”); by John 14:23 (“we will come to him.”); by John 3:3 (“see the kingdom); and John 6:40 (“seeth the son”). YOU ARE TO SEE THE SON. YOU ARE TO HAVE A REVELATION OF THE SON OF GOD. YOU ARE TO HAVE A MANIFESTATION OF AGAPE LOVE, WHO IS THE SON. We cannot fully cover this now, but we will in a future article. It is this appearing that BRINGS THE UNION WITH THE LIVING CHRIST. You cannot enter into union with someone unless you MEET THEM FACE TO FACE. It is this COMING, this FIRST APPEARING, that CONFIRMS YOU. It is the righteousness of Christ that confirms you, not your own righteousness. We are saved for HIS NAME’S SAKE, BY GRACE, and not upon any merit we have. If Christ is able to CONFIRM YOU, THEN WHO CAN DISANNUL IT?

The concept that Christ is to appear to the believer was lost in the FAITH MOVEMENT, which categorically denies any such revelation, and claims we can become INSTANTLY REGENERATED CHRISTIANS. We have utterly disproved that fact. It is a vain flight of fancy, a carnal gospel, a gospel of death followed after by lying signs and wonders. It was not lost from view however by the few, who KNEW ABOUT THE REVELATION OF CHRIST. We will now quote from a very FAMOUS BOOK IN CHRISTENDOM TODAY, CALLED “THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS”. This book is LAUDED by many of our false prophets who hold the book up, and then CATEGORICALLY DENY WHAT IT SAYS.


“Hope. Ask him if he HAD CHRIST REVEALED TO HIM FROM HEAVEN.

Ignorance. What! you are a man of REVELATIONS. I believe that both you and all the rest of you say about this matter, IS BUT THE FRUIT OF DISTRACTED BRAINS.

Hope. Why man! CHRIST IS SO HID IN GOD FROM THE NATURAL APPREHENSIONS OF THE FLESH,
THAT HE CANNOT BY ANY MAN
BE SAVINGLY KNOWN,

UNLESS THE FATHER REVEALS HIM TO THEM
.

Ignorance. That IS YOUR FAITH, but NOT mine; yet mine, I DOUBT NOT, IS AS GOOD AS YOURS, THOUGH I HAVE NOT IN MY HEAD AS MANY WHIMSIES AS YOU.

Christian. Give me leave to put in a word. YOU OUGHT NOT TO SO SLIGHTLY SPEAK OF THIS MATTER; FOR THIS I WILL BOLDLY AFFIRM

(EVEN AS MY GOOD COMPANION HAS DONE)
THAT NO MAN CAN KNOW JESUS CHRIST BUT BY REVELATION OF THE FATHER:

YES, AND FAITH TO, BY WHICH THE SOUL LAYETH HOLD UPON CHRIST (IF IT BE RIGHT) MUST BE WROUGHT BY THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS MIGHTY POWER; THE WORKING OF WHICH FAITH, I PERCEIVE, POOR IGNORANCE, THOU ART
IGNORANT OF.”


We have heard this book held up time after time by well known teachers and evangelists. They tell every one to read it, but then turn right around and claim THERE IS NO REVELATION, IT IS MERELY ‘ILLUMINATION’ OF THE MIND. They are under a deception, a delusion. Pray for them. The “many” had the faith of IGNORANCE. They laughed and scoffed and said any such revelation was UTTERLY FALSE. That is why they stood before Christ rejected, and that is why Christ sent them into eternal ruin. HE DID NOT KNOW THEM BECAUSE HE HAD NEVER COME TO THEM, HE HAD NEVER ENTERED INTO
UNION WITH THEM. THEY HAD NEVER GONE TO THE LOWEST ROOM, AND MET CHRIST FACE TO FACE, AND BEEN GIVEN THEIR ROBES! Their robes were from THE FAITH HUCKSTERS!! Their faith was the faith of IGNORANCE, and the Scriptures say we are WILLFULLY IGNORANT if we do not study to show ourselves approved unto God.

This was penned back in the 1600’s, and the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST BY THE MIGHTY POWER OF GOD WAS KNOWN TO THE FEW. Bunyon was thrown in jail for His teachings, and the Church could not stand him, for he put the lie to their false religion, their false theology and showed them what they were: IMPOSTORS, LIARS, BASTARD SONS. Bunyon had the revelation of Christ, was trying to tell everyone about it. He was warning them that FAITH WITHOUT THE REVELATION IS NOT FAITH AT ALL. FAITH WITHOUT A WORKS IS A DEAD FAITH. The faith of the narrow way brings Christ, who in turn CONFIRMS YOU UNTO THE END BY HIS GIFT OF AGAPE LOVE. It is all true. Do not let the false prophets, who are themselves under a deception and a delusion, SWAY YOU AWAY FROM THE WORD OF GOD. We can personally attest that IT IS TRUE. By the testimony of TWO OR MORE WITNESSES is anything established. The REVELATION OF CHRIST must be in FULL ACCORDANCE with the Bible. The revelation is ONE WITNESS, the second witness IS SCRIPTURE. HAVE YOU HAD THE WITNESS? DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS? The revelation we are speaking of here WILL OCCUR AT THE END OF THE WALK OF DEATH. WE ALWAYS GO FROM DEATH TO LIFE, NEVER FROM LIFE TO LIFE. We must die, and that death is as experiential as the REVELATION ITSELF.

THE END