Sunday, December 28, 2014
Cast into Outer Darkness – Part 39 of Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation
Montana
The last time we were together we learned that the one talent Christian in the Parable of the Talents and the Christian man in the Parable of the Wedding Feast, who was in the Wedding Hall without a Wedding garment, were cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Sounds pretty horrific to me, so long ago I set out to find out where is this place.
Each of God’s kids receives an assignment, a talent, in order to prosper the Kingdom of Heaven. Each is an Ambassador for Christ – representing the Kingdom of Heaven to those living on the earth. The “work” the Lord gives to each believer is an opportunity to develop the character of Christ – heavenly treasures – which are threads to weave his Wedding Garment.
The “work” each believer is assigned encounters trials and tribulations…that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…I Peter 1:7.
The word fire in this reference means: lightning. Lightning symbolizes the glory of God. The “works” we do for the Lord on the earth will be tried – revealed – whether or not they honor Him alone – or bring credit, exaltation, honor, and glory to us.
God allows fiery trials in our lives for our own good, so that the house – temple – we build on the earth will not burn up at the Great White Throne Judgment. The Apostle Paul stressed to believers…seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God…set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth…Col. 3:1-2.
The motives of our heart are revealed by how we endure persecution for our faith, how we endure injustice and false accusations against our character, and how we pray first for our enemy so they will find Jesus Christ as their Savior. It is all about developing the character of Christ.
Have you ever seen a hearse with a U-Haul attached? When we stand before the Lord on that Day, will we bring with us pride in the Bible school we built; the mega-church we built; the scientific break-through we achieved; the great denomination we started; the great charitable organization we built; the television or radio network we built, etc., etc. etc? Of course not – when Jesus returns…both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up…II Peter 3:10. Humility, while living on the earth, will be recognized by Jesus Christ on that Day.
When the unprofitable servant and the man without a Wedding Garment appeared before the Great White throne Judgment, the house – temple – they built burned down to the foundation of salvation. Because they are wearing the Garment of Salvation they are allowed to enter into Heaven, but they are not allowed to participate in the Wedding of the Lamb. Instead they were sent to “outer darkness.”
All three references to “outer darkness” are found in the gospel of Matthew: 8:12; 22:13; 25:30. Every Bible teacher I studied under said this means Hell – but does it?
In the original Greek language the word outer is: exoteros or exterior. The word darkness is: skotos. It means obscurity; shadiness – darkness of error; adumbration (outline/sketch). The translation does not describe Hell or the Lake of Fire.
Outer darkness is a place on the exterior of Heaven – obscurity – where believers will dwell, whose defiled house – unrighteous works – burned up at the Great White Throne Judgment. These believers did not build their temple on the earth with righteous works, so there were no threads – treasures in Heaven – with which to weave a Wedding Garment for them to attend the Wedding of the Lamb.
The reward Jesus brings with Him is a garment made of fine linen which is woven from…the righteous acts of the saints…Rev. 19:8.
Even though the prophetic parables of Jesus are future, His description of certain events are unambiguous, if we pay attention. This is because He wants us to be prepared for victory on Judgment Day – not to experience weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Remember when the Apostle Paul said…each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is…if anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward…if anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (I Cor. 3:13-15)?
What loss will this believer experience on Judgment Day that would cause weeping and gnashing of teeth – sobbing and wailing. while grating their teeth from pain and rage? Don’t you want to have the answer now, while still alive, so you will not experience weeping and gnashing of teeth on that Day? Stay tuned…
God’s sheep question the doctrines of men…sheeple follow without question…
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