Season 4 Podcast 181, The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 22:1-14, Pt 2, “The

Season 4 Podcast 181 The Stories of the New Testament, Matthew Ch 22:1-14, Pt 2, “The Last week we talked of the Wedding Guest as it referred to the Celestial Kingdom which is compared to the brightness of the Sun by Paul.  This week I shall continue the theme as it refers to the other two kingdoms of Heaven, the Terrestrial Kingdom as spoken of by Paul which is compared to the brightness of the moon and the lowest kingdom compared to the brightness of the stars. Let me again refer to 1 Corinthians 15:“40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.” In the kingdom of God everything is governed by a complete set of laws. Each kingdom of heaven is governed by a completely different set of laws. We inherit a kingdom of glory according to the set of laws we chose to obey on earth. As illustrated by the parable of the Ten Virgins, only those who obeyed the laws of the celestial kingdom were allowed to take part in the wedding feast. Only those who take part in the wedding feast inherit the Celestial Kingdom. The door was closed on the other five virgins who did not have sufficient oil in their lamps. Those who rejected the Savior’s invitation must enter a lesser kingdom, equal to the light they have in the resurrection. Let’s first examine GROUP TWO.The Second Kingdom, next to the Celestial Kingdom, which is compared to the glory of the sun, is called by Paul the Terrestrial Kingdom, compared to the glory of the moon. Those who reject the laws of the Celestial Kingdom yet are honorable people of the earth inherit the Terrestrial Kingdom.  In Matthew 22 we read.“3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 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. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:”3 RONNotice they are not guilty of any great sins. Working on one’s farm or selling one’s merchandise are not bad things. However, they willfully rejected the invitation of the King to come to the wedding feast. Luke’s account in Luke 14 is similar but with added detail. Keep in mind that the following who received the invitation were a kind of VIP list. This of course could be an allusion to the Chosen of Israel who rejected Christ. They felt obligated to offer excuses why they couldn’t come. “16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.”