"Don’t Be Late For The Wedding Banquet”

In Jesus Holy Name November 8, 2020

Text: Matthew 25:1-2

“Don’t Be Late for the Wedding Banquet”

In the Walt Disney movie ‘Snow White” The rabbit looks at his clock and says: “I’m late, I’m late, I’m late for a very important date, no time to say hello, no time to say good bye… I’m late, I’m late I’m late for a very important date”. Jesus has a great parable for us today. The great Wedding banquet is being prepared for Himself and His bride, the Church. The warning is simple and straight forward. “Don’t be late for the Wedding Banquet or you will be too late and the door will be closed!!!.

Preparations have been made for the “wedding banquet” in heaven. Like the Wise and Foolish virgins, we are waiting for the bridegroom to return from heaven.

Jesus is coming back and we should not be unprepared. His return is certain Shortly before returning to Heaven Jesus told His disciples that someday He would come back to establish His Kingdom. But before that could take place, He said, certain things would have to happen—. For example, He said that before His return the Gospel must be preached throughout the world.

Jesus warned that Satan would try a final attempt to halt God’s work through a massive onslaught of evil. Our world is no stranger to evil; Satan has always been working to stop God’s plans. Jesus said, “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. … Nation will rise against nation” (Matthew 24:6-7).

The real question, however, is this: Are you ready for Christ’s return?

Over the years, many people have promised that they will return. On March 11, 1942 the Japanese were invading the Philippines and General Douglas MacArthur, under direct orders from the President was preparing to leave Corregidor. In spite of the difficult situation, General MacArthur promised: “I will return”. Two and half years later he was able to return.

Jesus always kept His word. He told his disciples that on upcoming trip to Jerusalem, he would be arrested by the Chief Priests, put on trial and that He would be crucified. He also promised that three days after His death He would come back. Jesus emerged from His borrowed tomb, and showed to all the world that His death on the cross had been accepted as a sufficient sacrifice to appease the wrath of God against our broken commandments. Jesus proved that His resurrection was not a myth.

He spent 40 days with his disciples and friends. In casual conversations He walked with His disciples. He ate meals with them. He did a lengthy bible study taking them through all the Old Testament passages that spoke about God’s plan to redeem the world through His perfect life, death and resurrection.

On one occasion after Jesus and the disciples had left the Jerusalem and were returning to Bethany, they stopped to enjoy the view of golden city of Jerusalem from the Mt of Olives. It was a magnificent site. Jesus surprised them by telling them that one day all the glory of the temple would be destroyed. “Not one stone would be left on another”. He spoke about the end of the world. They of course wanted to know “when”? They wanted to know “what” would be warning signs of His return.

When will Jesus be coming back from heaven? That’s still a question on the minds of many people. Countless books have been written by Hal Lindsey. “The Great Late Planet Earth”. Others have tried to analyze the prophecies of Revelation and Daniel. People want to know so they can be prepared. They are pretty sure Jesus will be their Judge. They want some advance notice. They want to do some quick cramming for the final test. These folks are obsessed with the “last times”. Some are afraid of the future when Jesus returns.

Every time a country changes government. Every time sabers are rattled in the middle east. Every time a mob swarms into the streets, people comb the book of Revelation trying to match of the signs of Jesus’ return with what they have just seen on the evening news.

According to the media the world is one scary place. Fear sells. The News media knows how to grab our attention. “Don’t eat eggs, they will raise your cholesterol, and you know how dangerous that is.” Here is a list of things you must do to avoid the dangerous chemicals in your drinking water?” Global warming! We only have 12 years left on Planet Earth unless we do something! COVIN 19… better shelter in! “Plan ahead …the world will collapse. Grocery stores will be out of food. Buy this book now… Lost Foods, make and store foods like our grand parents used to make.” Does the bad news ever stop? We are the most worried and anxious culture that has ever lived.