Naked Or Clothed ---- It's Our Choice!

In the parable of the wedding feast in Matthew 22:1-14, we see that one man in attendance did not have on the proper wedding garment, even though he knew that he should have come prepared wearing one (Matthew 22:11-12). Spiritually speaking, without the proper wedding garment, the man was considered naked (2 Corinthians 5:3; Revelation 3:18; Revelation 7:13-14).

What kind of wedding garment should he have worn? According to Revelation 7:9-13, he should have worn a white wedding garment. A garment of "white raiment" (Revelation 3:18), made white by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:13-14; cf. Revelation 1:5-6). How do we acquire this white (symbol of purity & holiness) wedding garment? By being "clothed" with Christ. When are we "clothed" with Christ? When we "put on" Christ. We "put on" Christ when we are baptized "into Christ" (Gal. 3:27 NASB). When we "put on" Christ in baptism, we immediately become "clothed" with the proper wedding garment (Revelation 19:5-8).

When Christ [the bridegroom] comes again to receive His holy bride, the church (Ephesians 5:23-32; Revelation 21:1-2,9; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:1-2), all the members of the wedding party, i.e., the church (Romans 12:1-5; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13), must be clothed in "white raiment" or they will be considered spiritually "naked" (2 Corinthians 5:2-3; Revelation 3:18), and thus be ashamed before the Bridegroom [Christ].

Now in this parable, note that "everyone" was invited to the marriage feast (Matthew 22:1-10), even though some refused to come (Matthew 22:1-3). Spiritually speaking, all men are invited to the marriage feast through the gospel call (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14; cf. Revelation 22:17), but many will refuse to come (Matthew 22:14; cf. Acts 13:44-46). It is God's desire that "all men" render obedience to the saving gospel of Christ (2 Peter 3:9; cf. 1 Timothy 2:3-4), thus putting on the appropriate wedding garment (Gal. 3:27 NASB), in preparation for the marriage feast of the Lamb and His bride, the church (Revelation 21:1-2,9-10).

The question is, are we "ready" to attend the marriage feast of the Lamb [Christ] and His bride [church - Ephesians 5:25-32]? When the bridegroom comes, only those who are "ready" (Matthew 25:10), will be allowed entrance into the marriage ceremony. All others will be rejected (Matthew 25:11-12).

Dear reader, if you have not yet "clothed" yourself with the proper wedding garment, won't you seriously consider doing that today? (2 Corinthians 6:2). Be properly "clothed" with Christ (Gal. 3:27 NASB), so you won't be found "naked" or "ashamed" when the bridegroom [Christ] returns to receive His bride, the church (2 Corinthians 5:3; Revelation 3:18; Matthew 25:10; Revelation 21:1-2,9).

The bottom line is this: Naked or clothed — It's our choice! (Joshua 24:14-15)

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets