How long does it take to prepare for a marriage, what time frame is necessary to ensure that everything is just right, that all involved will have one of the best days of their lives.
The church, the body of Christ, the born-again believers, all those who have been crucified with Christ, (Gal. 2:20) whatever name you decide to give us, these are the bride of Christ, those who know Him as Lord, from the moment of the cross to the moment of the rapture, we are them. The marriage feast is for us and us alone, we will be served by angels. (Heb. 1:14) So how long, in heaven’s time, does it take to get ready to have a marriage and then a celebration, a feast, of that marriage?
I do not know, but I believe the final plans are almost prepared, for I can see what is happening upon this planet, not just the events of the earth, floods, fires, wars beginning, but what is the most apparent sign of the final days, the one that very few seem to be talking about, the great falling away, (2 Thess. 2:3) the apostacy. And why is it not being spoken about much? Because it would need to be brought up, most generally, in a church setting, and as you can guess, that would not go over very well with the congregation.
The pastor, preacher, whatever name you choose, is not going to have as many people sitting in the pews next week if he begins to question those in attendance about how the Lord has been using them as of late, how much of the Scriptures they studied during the previous week, who they witnessed to for the glory of God, that would not go over well at all. Service without any real commitment is the way to go, study a book, any book but the Word of God in the Bible Study, watch a short video instead of listening to a long, drawn out sermon, keep every word just below the level of personal commitment so as to never offend.
No my friends, we never question each other about our faith, that would seem judgmental, we never ask for the proof of salvation in another, we do not have to give an account of our faith to anyone, (1 Peter 3:15) that was just a suggestion. As long as our weekly, hour long obligation is completed, we are good, if the midweek Bible Study is attended, then we feel twice as good about ourselves. Glorifying God for these individuals means never speaking to anyone about their sins, because a good Christian just accepts every one the way they are, we wouldn’t want to shove the truth down their throats, best to just invite them to church and call it good enough, after all, we are not the pastor, that’s his responsibility.
These individuals do not need to be concerned with where they are going to sit at the marriage feast, for they have not been invited. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20) What works, what fruits? Showing up to church on a regular basis, helping with a little cleaning or remodeling occasionally, car is in the parking lot on Wednesday night? How about the rest of the week, what are those morally correct, adhere to the rules of the world, never offend, never judge so-called Christians doing all week?
They’re sure not preparing for a marriage, they love to speak of a mansion that is being prepared for them, (John 14:2) but to recognize them during the week as a Christian is all but impossible. No studying of the Word, no witnessing, no serious time in prayer, no humble submission to the will of the Holy Spirit, just good people who toe the line and go to church.
Our adversary can see what is happening in heaven, he does not know the hour (Matt. 24:36) any better than we do, but he can see that the final preparations for the marriage feast are being made. I sure hope you have your invitation, I hope it’s not a counterfeit one, because the slow train that is coming will not be at the station for very long before it leaves, and there is not another one coming after it. Take a close look at your so-called walk with Christ, be honest with yourself, you do not want to be left behind. “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)
