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Christ’s Object Lessons
man was clothed in his common citizen dress. He had refused to make
the preparation required by the king. The garment provided for him at
great cost he disdained to wear. Thus he insulted his lord. To the king’s
demand, “How camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?”
he could answer nothing. He was self-condemned. Then the king said,
“Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer
darkness.”
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By the king’s examination of the guests at the feast is represented
a work of judgment. The guests at the gospel feast are those who
profess to serve God, those whose names are written in the book of
life. But not all who profess to be Christians are true disciples. Before
the final reward is given, it must be decided who are fitted to share the
inheritance of the righteous. This decision must be made prior to the
second coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven; for when He comes,
His reward is with Him, “to give every man according as his work
shall be.”
Revelation 22:12
. Before His coming, then, the character
of every man’s work will have been determined, and to every one of
Christ’s followers the reward will have been apportioned according to
his deeds.
It is while men are still dwelling upon the earth that the work
of investigative judgment takes place in the courts of heaven. The
lives of all His professed followers pass in review before God. All
are examined according to the record of the books of heaven, and
according to his deeds the destiny of each is forever fixed.
By the wedding garment in the parable is represented the pure,
spotless character which Christ’s true followers will possess. To the
church it is given “that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and
white,” “not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.”
Revelation
19:8
;
Ephesians 5:27
. The fine linen, says the Scripture, “is the righ-
teousness of saints.”
Revelation 19:8
. It is the righteousness of Christ,
His own unblemished character, that through faith is imparted to all
who receive Him as their personal Saviour.
The white robe of innocence was worn by our first parents when
they were placed by God in holy Eden. They lived in perfect con-
formity to the will of God. All the strength of their affections was
given to their heavenly Father. A beautiful soft light, the light of God,
enshrouded the holy pair. This robe of light was a symbol of their
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spiritual garments of heavenly innocence. Had they remained true to