THIRD TIME WAS NOT A CHARM

THIRD TIME WAS NOT A CHARM

“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.”  Matt. 22:4

 

During His earthly ministry our Lord had specifically foretold of such a reoffer. The prediction is recorded in Matt. 22:1-7, clothed in the form of a parable of "the kingdom of heaven" in which a certain king makes a marriage feast for his son (Matt 22:2). Two calls are sent out by the King, both addressed to a special group of people who had previously been invited, "them that were bidden" (Matt 22:3, perfect tense), a reference to the original and abiding call (perfect) of this nation through Abraham to enjoy the blessings of the Messianic Kingdom, and renewed over and over again in the Old Testament. The first call of the parable was issued by our Lord through His disciples (Matt. 10:1-15; Luke 10:1-9), directed exclusively to the chosen nation; and it was officially rejected (Matt. 22:3). Then there was to be a second call announcing that the dinner is now "prepared" and "all things are ready" (Matt 22:4) - certainly a reference to our Lord's finished work of redemption at Calvary. Such a call could not have gone forth until after the Resurrection. But again the call is rejected, this time by actions which help to identify it in Biblical history: some Jews would turn away with contemptuous indifference, according to the parable, while others would mistreat and kill the messengers (Matt 22:6). This points to the post-Pentecostal offer, as described in the Book of Acts, when the officials of Israel did exactly that. During the gospel period not an official disciple of Christ was killed by the Jews, but during the period of the Acts the terrible persecution and killing of the messengers began. And there is no third call for this generation of Israel, but judgment falls: the King sends forth his armies, destroys the murderers, and burns their city - a parabolic prediction of the awful destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 (Matt 22:7).

But a fourth time to a later generation of Jews when Christ is accepted under the strain of tribulation. And 144,000 Jewish males take the gospel message to the whole world. (Matt. 24:14) Israel finally is the vehicle of blessing to the whole world. (Gen. 12:2-3)

The all-consuming purpose of God in creation was to establish a Kingdom in the earth in which He could display His glory in the Person of His Son. This display of His glory was to be made to creatures made in His image, and therefore capable of appreciating, applauding, and apprehending His glory.

The unfolding drama of the Bible depicts the various movements of God in the accomplishment of that purpose. Both Abraham and Israel were placed in that drama clear back at the beginning. And today we see Israel at the forefront of International news.