To refuse the wedding invitation of the King as did the Jews is an insult, but to respond to an invitation in our day and then refuse the King’s gift of raiment is an even greater slight. In Sunday’s lesson, which focuses on recounting Jesus’ last days on earth and the Jews’ hardness of heart to receive truth, the question is asked: “Is there any reason to think—even as Seventh-day Adventists, living with so much light—that we are much different?” The answer has to be “Yes.” There is a truth (or “light”) that cannot be neglected, especially for Seventh-day Adventists. It is the truth that separates our denomination from the others—the Good News of the cleansing of the sanctuary. If it were not for our High Priest’s current work of cleansing the sanctuary on this our cosmic Day of Atonement, there would be no “wedding garment.”
“The parable of the wedding garment [Matthew 22:2-14] opens before us a lesson of the highest consequence [it is present truth!]. By the marriage is represented the union of humanity with divinity; the wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding. In this parable, … are illustrated the gospel invitation, its rejection by the Jewish people, and the call of mercy to the Gentiles. But on the part of those who reject the invitation, this parable brings to view a deeper insult and a more dreadful punishment. The call to the feast is a king’s invitation.” … “When the king came in to view the guests, the real character of all was revealed. For every guest at the feast there had been provided a wedding garment. This garment was a gift from the king. By wearing it the guests showed their respect for the giver of the feast. … The garment provided for [one of the guests] at great cost he disdained to wear. Thus he insulted his lord” (Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 307, 309).
“The man who came to the feast without a wedding garment represents the condition of many in our world today. … They have never felt true repentance for sin. They do not realize their need of Christ or exercise faith in Him. … they rest upon their own merits instead of trusting in Christ. … they come to the banquet, but they have not put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness” (ibid., p. 315).
The “present truth” in this parable lies in Ellen White’s words above, and in the words of Revelation: “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready” (vss. 9, 7).
These verses show us, because the wedding day is still future, that Christ is a disappointed Bridegroom-to-be longing for His wedding day to come.We know He does not want to delay His second coming, for He loves His people who appreciate His sacrifice in their behalf and wants them to be with Him (John 14:3). We know He sympathizes with the sufferings of His people (Isa. 63:8, 9). Surely it is reasonable to understand that He longs to bring all this suffering to an end. He is waiting for the heavenly angel to tell Him, “Thrust in thy sickle and reap, for the time is come for Thee to reap” (Rev 14:14).
The entire Bible is full of the idea that He loves us; and if you love someone, you must want to be with that one. The important truth is not ourselves, that is, how much WE long for His second coming, but how much HE longs to come the second time! James says that He is “quietly awaiting His precious harvest” (1:7, Phillips). As a farmer eagerly watching his precious crop day by day, longing for the harvest, so Jesus yearns for His people (His Bride) to get ready for His coming.