Christmas – 2017
Well here we are knocking on the door at the end of another year, which has almost flashed past like a rocket. Just spare a thought for God, at this time of festivities, as you can go home to your friends, families, associates and be together in fun, festivities, and fellowship, and there is lonely God, looking down that huge “Banqueting Table” and it is still all silent and empty, his Family are still down here on “Planet Earth,” and he is still waiting for us prodigals, to all come home up to his banqueting hall in Heaven.
Some of us who are so far away from family and friends, are all alone, or maybe you can just set up the computer at the meal table and you can have your celebration and they can be part of it as they can see the people, and conversation can freely flow between members at the table and those who are far away on the computer screen, yet beside you. It is fun, and though there is miles between, the fellowship makes them as if they were actually seated at the table right beside you all. Revelation 19:9 “And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, these are the true sayings of God.”
We have this from Revelation 19:7-9 “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed [are] they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, these are the true sayings of God.”
As was at Mt Sinai, when Israel, representing God’s Children, they were to marry Jesus Christ, covenant to be his and only his, just like marriage vows, so now there is a “New Covenant” where everybody is freely offered the chance to be adopted into “The Family of God,” and this is just like a marriage, hence the first thing the redeemed do when they all arrive together in Heaven, is to have a “Welcome Home Party,” a “Marriage Celebration,” “Party Time, the Prodigals have come home.”
Quote; “The invitation is to go to all, without limitation or restriction. Bad, yes, evil men and women, old and young, rich and poor, white and black–all are to be called, but only those will be chosen who truly receive Christ. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” Those who truly accept, and in so doing yield themselves up to God, to be and to do as he wills, obeying the commandments, and living as he has given them an example in his life, will wear the wedding garment.
This royal banquet is not a thing of an hour, but lasts through a lifetime, and stretches into eternity. None can endure to be with God if they are not constantly conforming their minds and hearts to his will and developing characters after the divine similitude. None can have forgiveness without living the purity of character exemplified in Christ. No man need expect happiness without the holiness of God. They cannot partake of the feast without the garment of Christ’s righteousness, woven in the loom of heaven. Privileges and opportunities improved, will give every soul a fitness to obey the law of his kingdom. {HM, 1/11/1897}
Quote; “This temple was supported by seven pillars, all of transparent gold, set with pearls most glorious. The wonderful things I there saw I cannot describe… Soon we heard His lovely voice again, saying, “Come, My people, you have come out of great tribulation, and done My will; suffered for Me; come in to supper, for I will gird Myself, and serve you.” We shouted, “Alleluia! Glory!” and entered into the city. And I saw a table of pure silver; it was many miles in length, yet our eyes could extend over it. I saw the fruit of the tree of life, the manna, almonds, figs, pomegranates, grapes, and many other kinds of fruit. {CCh 36}
Quote; “Through Christ alone can you make sure of heaven, where all is purity, holiness, peace, and blessedness, where there are glories that mortal lips cannot describe. The nearest we can come to a description of the reward that awaits the overcomer is to say that it is a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. It will be an eternity of bliss, a blessed eternity, unfolding new glories throughout the ceaseless ages.” {8T 131}
Quote; “God’s ideal for His children is higher than the highest human thought can reach. The living God has given in His holy law a transcript of His character. The greatest Teacher the world has ever known is Jesus Christ; and what is the standard He has given for all who believe in Him? “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48. As God is perfect in His high sphere of action, so man may be perfect in his human sphere. {CT 365}
Dear Reader; God is reaching out to you with longings and compassion that are boundless. He is longing for reconciliation, that his erring children come home. The Banqueting Table is all set up, and shortly the legs will groan under the weight of the abundant bounties of delights to be feasted upon. Place cards will be installed at the seats, so are you going to be there, or are you going to remain “in sin” and somebody else will then take your place. God is doing everything possible for your salvation, and for you to be seated at His Banqueting Table, so why not resolve, right now, to return to God, and take up your seat; meet you there.
