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Sunday, October 31, 2021

Outer Darkness; Farthest are Foremost; The Bridal-Chamber The Wedding Banquet; Not Prepared

There is a place known as the “outer darkness”, which comparatively tells us that there is an inner place of light. The outer darkness is a place outside the Kingdom of Heaven. There seems to be a lot of anxiety and lamentation for those who end up there. In all the things that Jesus said about the outer darkness and people left outside a closed door, we see that the people didn’t think they would end up there. Originally the Kingdom of Heaven was for the heirs of Jacob, but they rejected their Messiah. Instead, people from all over the world will enter the Kingdom of Heaven and recline with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Prophets. This was Jesus’ warning to the people in Capernaum and then again on his way to Jerusalem. The people in the outer darkness can see into the Kingdom of Heaven; this is why they cry. While the outer darkness is not Hades, we can see that it is a place that is absent from Jesus. We also see that there are many people who prophesy, cast out demons, and do miracles in Jesus’ name, but will find themselves on the outside of the Kingdom of Heaven.  

Jesus is speaking to the crowd regarding the Kingdom of Heaven. The context takes place in Capernaum when a Centurion asking Jesus to give a logos for his servant to be healed. Jesus is amazed that this Centurion does not need Jesus to physically come and heal his servant, but to just order it done. This is what Jesus is commenting on when he says that the sons of the kingdom shall be cast out into the outer darkness and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


Matthew 8:11 G3004 And I say G1161   G1473 to you, G3754 that G4183 many G575 from G395 east G2532 and G1424 west G2240 shall come, G2532 and G347 shall be lain down G3326 with G* Abraham G2532 and G* Isaac G2532 and G* Jacob G1722 in G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588 of the G3772 heavens. 

  12 G3588 But the G1161   G5207 sons G3588 of the G932 kingdom G1544 shall be cast out G1519 into G3588 the G4655 [2darkness G3588   G1857 1outer]; G1563 there, G1510.8.3 there shall be G3588   G2805 weeping G2532 and G3588 the G1030 gnashing G3588   G3599 of teeth. 


1857 LSJ Gloss:ἐξώτερος outer, utter

Dodson:ἐξώτερος outmost, outer outmost, outer, external.

TBESG:ἐξώτερος outer

G:A

ἐξώτερος, -α, -ον

(compar., from ἔξω; opp. to ἐσώτερος) [in LXX chiefly for חִיצוֹן ;] 

outer: σκότος,

Refs Mat.8:12 Mat.22:13 Mat.25:30.†

(AS)

Thayer:

1) outer


ἐξώτερος 

exōteros ex-o'-ter-os Compound of G1854; exterior KJV Usage: outer.


1854

ἔξω 

exō ex'-o Adverb from G1537; out (side, of doors), literally or figuratively KJV Usage: away, forth, (with-) out (of, -ward), strange.


4655 LSJ Gloss: σκότος darkness, gloom

Dodson:σκότος darkness darkness, either physical or moral.

TBESG:σκότος darkness

G:N-M/N

σκότος, -ου, ὁ the more usual cl. form (cf.σ., τό), 

darkness: Heb.12:18, Rec.†

(AS)

Thayer:

1) darkness 

1a) of night darkness 

1b) of darkened eyesight or blindness 

2) metaph. 

2a) of ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell 

2b) persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway


σκότος 

skotos 

skot'-os From the base of G4639; shadiness, that is, obscurity (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: darkness.


“But the sons (descendants) the kingdom thrown into the darkness the outmost, in that place will be the weeping and the grinding the teeth.” 


The sons of the kingdom are the people who descended from Jacob. Jesus is speaking to people who are descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Notice that the descendants are right in front of Jesus, yet people who come from the east and the west will recline at a table with the descendants’ forefathers. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, will not be dining with Jews only, in fact there are not many descendants reclining with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. From wherever the sun rises to wherever the sun sets is where people will come from who will recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Centurion is our example here. He was a Roman soldier, as is his servant. Both men believed that all Jesus needed to do was speak logos, from wherever Jesus was, and that the servant would be healed. The Centurion understood that a man with authority (exousia) in the universe can command whatever he wants and it will be obeyed. The Centurion could command his soldiers to do what he needed them to do, and this is why he understood Jesus’ power. 


What is the outer darkness or the outmost gloom? It would seem to be a place where people who should have believed on Jesus as Lord but did not truly believe on Jesus, will end up. The idea of exōteros “outer” is mostly used in regards to outer courts, outer courtyard, or outer gates of the temple. Exōteros is an adjective that describes the location. The location is outside of the Kingdom of Heaven, not inside. However, those who are outside can see in. Outside is darkness. It is not the same darkness as a room with no light, it is gloomy or depressing. The descendants can see the others inside the Kingdom of Heaven that are reclining with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Which is why they are weeping and grinding their teeth. 


2805 LSJ Gloss:κλαυθμός a weeping

Dodson:κλαυθμός weeping, lamentation weeping, lamentation, crying.

TBESG:κλαυθμός weeping

G:N-M

κλαυθμός, -οῦ, ὁ

(< κλαίω), [in LXX chiefly for בְּכִי ;] 

crying, weeping, Act.20:37; κ. καὶ ὀδυρμός, Mat.2:18 (LXX); ὁ κ. καὶ ὁ βρυγμός,

Refs

Mat.8:12 13:42, 50 22:13 24:51 25:30, Luk.13:28.†

(AS)

Thayer:

1) weeping, lamentation


κλαυθμός 

klauthmos klowth-mos' From G2799; lamentation KJV Usage: wailing, weeping, X wept.


1030 Dodson:βρυγμός a grinding or gnashing.

TBESG:βρυγμός gnashing

G:N-M

βρυγμός, -οῦ, ὁ 

(< βρύχω), [in LXX: Pro.19:12 (נַהַם), Sir.51:3 * ;] 

a biting, a gnashing of teeth:

Refs

Mat.8:12 13:42, 50 22:13 24:51 25:30, Luk.13:28.†

(AS)

Thayer:

1) a gnashing of teeth 

1a) used to denote extreme anguish and utter despair of men consigned to eternal punishment in hell 

2) snarling, growling: in the sense of biting


βρυγμός 

brugmos broog-mos' From G1031; a grating (of the teeth) KJV Usage: gnashing.


Being a descendant of Jacob should be an automatic “easy in” to the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not. The others from the east and west will enter, but the sons of Jacob will be out in the gloom, crying and angry. With Jesus walking alongside them, these particular people should have believed. Those descendants of Jacob who did not believe in Yahweh and that a Messiah was coming, will end up outside the Kingdom of Heaven as well. Is this Hades? No Hades is hot and there is fire. Is this Abraham’s Bay? Probably not. If we remember, the righteous believers from the time of the adam who believed on Yahweh did not go to Hades upon death, but as Jesus told us, they went to Abraham’s Bay. The people in Hades could see the people in Abraham’s Bay and vice versa. Neither place could see into the Kingdom of Heaven. Wherever the gloomy place is, it is outside of the Kingdom of Heaven and people can see what is taking place in the Kingdom of Heaven. Luke describes this story a bit differently. 


Luke 13:24 G75 Struggle G1525 to enter G1223 through G3588 the G4728 narrow G4439 gate, G3754 for G4183 many, G3004 I say G1473 to you, G2212 will seek G1525 to enter, G2532 and G3756 will not G2480 be able. 


Notice that people will “seek” as if their own decision is what will open the way for them. Somehow the Kingdom of Heaven has a gate and no one can enter who does not find the narrow way. This implies that people following the broad path will recognize that they are not where they should be and will “seek to enter”, but they will not be able to. 


Luke 13:25 G575 From G3739 of which G302 ever time G1453 [3should arise G3588 1the G3617 2master of the house], G2532 and G608 should lock G3588 the G2374 door, G2532 and G756 you should begin G1854 outside G2476 to stand G2532 and G2925 to knock G3588 on the G2374 door, G3004 saying, G2962 O lord, G2962 O lord, G455 open G1473 to us! G2532 And G611 answering G2046 he shall say G1473 to you, G3756 I do not know G1492   G1473 you, G4159 or from what place G1510.2.5 you are from


“From this rise up the head of the family (house-lord) and close fully the door and commence outside to cause to stand and knock the door saying Master Master open up to us and reply speaking I not remember (eidō) you from what place you are.”


When Jesus shuts the door, it is shut. Luke says that Jesus will not remember those people who went the wrong way. 


Luke 13:26 G5119 Then G756 you will begin G3004 to say, G2068 We ate G1799 in your presence, G1473   G2532 and G4095 we drank, G2532 and G1722 in G3588   G4113 our squares G1473   G1321 you taught. 

 

The people seem to think just because they heard him speak or ate with him at a BBQ and had a few Latte’s in his presence that the Master/Lord should know them. Do you know all the people you have ever attended a BBQ with? Do you know all the people in the coffee shop every time you have a cup of coffee? Just because someone was in the coffee shop with us doesn’t mean we know them. Just because someone heard Jesus teach in their community doesn’t mean he knows them. 


Luke 13:27 G2532 And G2046 he shall say, G3004 I say G1473 to you, G3756 I do not G1492 know G1473 you, G4159 from what place G1510.2.5 you are; G868 depart G575 from G1473 me G3956 all G3588   G2040 workers G3588   G93 of iniquity! 


Jesus, the Master, will say that he doesn’t remember/know them. All Jesus knows is that they are on the outside of the door, which means they are workers of iniquity. People who labor in sin or teach unrighteousness are not going to end up in the Kingdom of Heaven, even if they said the “magic words”. Many people may confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord. Some may even believe he rose up on the third day, but the feast with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is for the people who did what Jesus told them to do and who are not workmen of injustice. 


Luke 13:28 G1563 There G1510.8.3 will be G3588 the G2805 weeping G2532 and G3588 the G1030 gnashing G3588   G3599 of teeth, G3752 whenever G3708 you should see G* Abraham, G2532 and G* Isaac, G2532 and G* Jacob, G2532 and G3956 all G3588 the G4396 prophets G1722 in G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588   G2316 of God, G1473 but you G1161   G1544 being cast forth G1854 outside. 


The group has expanded. Not only will people recline with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but people will also see the Prophets in the Kingdom of God. However the people will see them all from the outside. The people crying “Master Master” will be thrown outside.


Luke 13:29 G2532 And G2240 they shall come G575 from G395 east G2532 and G1424 west, G2532 and G1005 north G2532 and G3558 south, G2532 and G347 shall lie down G1722 in G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588   G2316 of God. 

  30 G2532 And G2400 behold, G1510.2.6 there are G2078 last G3739 who G1510.8.6 will be G4413 first, G2532 and G1510.2.6 there are G4413 first G3739 who G1510.8.6 will be G2078 last. 


Jesus is saying that people from all over the world, from all the nations, will recline in the Kingdom of God, and the ones that are farthest will be foremost and the foremost will be farthest. Jesus is suggesting that the people that the Jews think will be first, such as believing Jews, will be last or farthest away, while the people who were the nations and were farthest from knowing about Jesus will be foremost. Jesus is saying that there is no “special place in heaven” for the people who were supposed to teach the world about the Messiah but did not. 


This seems like a rest for everyone who enters the Kingdom of Heaven. While others are upset outside the ones inside are relaxing and eating. The idea of reclining is usually at a table with food. In the Eastern culture, meals were eaten slowly with conversation. Not grabbing a burger and fries and eating while driving and talking on the phone. The Prophets that Jesus is speaking of are those for whom we have read their testimonies that are compiled in the Bible. Jesus is referring to the prophets of old, not the prophets of today. Jesus gives us some further information about those outside the door. 


Matthew 7:21 G3756 Not G3956 all G3588   G3004 saying G1473 to me, G2962 O Lord, G2962 O Lord, G1525 shall enter G1519 into G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588 of the G3772 heavens; G235 but G3588 the one G4160 doing G3588 the G2307 will G3588   G3962 of my father, G1473   G3588 the one G1722 in the G3772 heavens. 


“Not all the speaking to me Master Master enter into the Kingdom the Heaven except the manufacturing the will the my Father the in the heaven.”


Manufacturing or doing the will of the Father is why there are people inside, while those who did not do the will of the Father are outside. Jesus said that those on the outside were laboring in unrighteousness. 


Matthew 7:22 G4183 Many G2046 shall say G1473 to me G1722 in G1565 that G3588   G2250 day, G2962 O Lord, G2962 O Lord, G3756 [2not G3588 4 in G4674 5your G3686 6name G4395 1did we 3prophesy], G2532 and G3588 in G4674 your G3686 name G1140 [2demons G1544 1cast out], G2532 and G3588 in G4674 your G3686 name G1411 [3powerful works G4183 2many G4160 1do]? 


“Many ask to me in that the day Master Master not the your name prophesy and the your name daimonion/demon throw and the your name miracle power often manufacture.”


It is interesting that people were prophesying, casting out demons and manufacturing miracles, but they were not known by Jesus. Sometimes ministries focus on one thing, like the prophetic, or healing, or deliverance. While those things are important, they may not be manufacturing the will of the Father. Being healed or knowing the future is not the center of the gospel. Salvation is. We know that Jesus desires all men to be saved. 


Matthew 7:23 G2532 And G5119 then G3670 I will acknowledge G1473 to them G3754 that, G3763 At no time G1097 I knew G1473 you. G672 Retreat G575 from G1473 me! G3588 O ones G2038 working G3588   G458 lawlessness. 


“And at that time acknowledge them that never at all know (ginōskō) you, go away, away from me the laborer the disobedience.” 


The wording is slightly different as Mathew writes in Aramaic and Luke in Greek, but it is the same idea. Jesus doesn’t know people who labor in disobedience. Another time that Jesus has explained this idea of “people outside the door”, is in the parable of the ten virgins. 


Matthew 25:10 G565 [3going forth G1161 1And G1473 2of their] G59 to buy, G2064 [3came G3588 1the G3566 2groom]; G2532 and G3588 the ones G2092 prepared G1525 entered G3326 with G1473 him G1519 unto G3588 the G1062 wedding feasts; G2532 and G2808 [3was locked G3588 1the G2374 2door]. 

 

In Eastern cultures, when the bridegroom would leave his house to go and get his bride, all the people would get ready for the celebration and wait along the road. Five of the young women had oil for their lamps and five did not. All of the ladies fell asleep waiting for the bridegroom. When the bridegroom finally came with the procession of people, someone shouted that they were coming, and the ladies woke up. Five ladies had to leave the roadway to go and find oil. This story is really not about “oil”, it is about being prepared for the Lord. The oil represents the Holy Spirit. Truly if the story was about light, the foolish ladies could have paired up with the wise ladies, so that they could see where they were going. If the story was about lamps and lighting, the foolish five could have still gone along the road with everyone else, following along. With a procession of people it would not have been totally dark. Instead there was something that the foolish ladies needed; “inner light”.   


When we hear that the Lord might be coming, we get ready, we repent, we confess Jesus as Lord and believe that he rose up on the third day, then we get baptized in the Holy Spirit. It does not matter how long it takes the bridegroom to come, be ready, always. Be prepared and enter in. Everyone that went to the wedding entered into the banquet and the door was closed. 


Matthew 25:11 G5305 And afterwards G1161   G2064 came G2532 also G3588 the G3062 remaining G3933 virgins, G3004 saying, G2962 O Master, G2962 O Master, G455 open G1473 to us! 


The word afterwards here means “eventually”. The five ladies eventually came to the wedding, but the door was closed. They cried out for the Master to open the door. 


Matthew 25:12 G3588 And he G1161   G611 answering G2036 said, G281 Amen G3004 I say G1473 to you, G3756 I do not G1492 know G1473 you. 


“But the reply spoken ‘Of a truth say to you not remember (eidō) you.


The Master did not remember these ladies. From our perspective we can say that we should always be ready for the shout from Heaven. 


Matthew 25:13 G1127 Be vigilant G3767 then! G3754 for G3756 you know not G1492   G3588 the G2250 day G3761 nor G3588 the G5610 hour G1722 in G3739 which G3588 the G5207 son G3588   G444 of man G2064 comes


“On the alert really because not the day neither the hour.”


The LXX-WH does not include the last phrase, which means it could have been a later addition as the Aramaic does not include the last phrase either. 


Matthew 25:13 Be wakeful therefore, for you know not that day nor the hour.

https://studybible.info/Etheridge/Matthew%2025


Matthew 25:13 Watch, therefore, seeing ye know not the day nor the hour.

https://studybible.info/Murdock/Matthew%2025


What Jesus is saying is to “always be ready”. Jesus says to not wait until the sound of the trumpet or you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The twinkle of an eye is very fast. You cannot wait until the last second. 


Luke explains this further. Not only do we have to be doing the Fathers will, know the Master, and be prepared, we also have to do what Jesus has said. 


Luke 6:46 G5100 And why G1161   G1473 do you call me, G2564   G2962 O Lord, G2962 O Lord, G2532 and G3756 do not do G4160   G3739 what G3004 I say? 

    47 G3956 Every one G3588   G2064 coming G4314 to G1473 me, G2532 and G191 hearing G1473 my G3588   G3056 words, G2532 and G4160 doing G1473 them, G5263 I will show plainly G1473 to you G5100 what G1510.2.3 he is G3664 likened to. 

   48 G3664 He is likened G1510.2.3   G444 to a man G3618 building G3614 a house, G3739 who G4626 dug, G2532 and G900 deepened, G2532 and G5087 set G2310 a foundation G1909 upon G3588 the G4073 rock. G4132 And an inundation G1161   G1096 having become, G4366 [3beat against G3588 1the G4215 2river] G3588   G3614 that house, G1565   G2532 and G3756 was not G2480 strong enough G4531 to shake G1473 it; G2311 for it was founded G1063   G1909 upon G3588 the G4073 rock. 


If we do what Jesus says then we are a house on a strong foundation. There is nothing that can harm us. Drakōn and Satanas cannot knock us down. 


Jesus told us another parable about a wedding. In this parable the King sends his servants to call on those who were invited to come to the wedding, but the invited people didn’t want to come. Some of the people killed those servants who were calling them to the wedding. The King then sent his armies to kill the murderers and to burn their cities. The King then tells the servants to go find people on the streets and invite them.  


Matthew 22:8 G5119 Then G3004 he says G3588 to G1401 his servants, G1473   G3588 Indeed the G3303   G1062 wedding feast G2092 is prepared, G1510.2.3   G3588 but the ones G1161   G2564 being invited G3756 were not G1510.7.6   G514 worthy. 


The word axios means “deserving” or “worthy”. The people who were called to the wedding were not deserving. The Almighty Everlasting Father invited people who were not deserving to his Sons wedding, he then invited everyone. Can you see the plan? The plan was to invite certain people, but since they weren’t interested the Father invited others. Jacob’s heirs were not interested in the Messiah, but other people living among all the nations were. 


Matthew 22:9 G4198 You go G3767 then G1909 unto G3588 the G1327 outer reaches G3588 of the G3598 ways! G2532 and G3745 as many as G1437   G2147 you should find, G2564 invite G1519 to G3588 the G1062 wedding feasts

  10 G2532 And G1831 [2having gone forth G3588   G1401 1those servants] G1565   G1519 into G3588 the G3598 ways, G4863 gathered together G3956 all, G3745 as many as G2147 they found, G4190 both wicked G5037   G2532 and G18 good; G2532 and G4130 [3was filled G3588 1the G1062 2wedding feast] G345 with ones reclining. 


“And go out the those servants there into the road gather together all that find, both evil and good and fill the bridal-chamber wedding feast, reclining. 


The word bridal-chamber and wedding feast both show up here in the LXX-WH. This changes the idea of what is happening here. 


Matthew 22:10 G2532 CONJ και G1831 [G5631] V-2AAP-NPM εξελθοντες G3588 T-NPM οι G1401 N-NPM δουλοι G1565 D-NPM εκεινοι G1519 PREP εις G3588 T-APF τας G3598 N-APF οδους G4863 [G5627] V-2AAI-3P συνηγαγον G3956 A-APM παντας G3739 R-APM ους G2147 [G5627] V-2AAI-3P ευρον G4190 A-APM πονηρους G5037 PRT τε G2532 CONJ και G18 A-APM αγαθους G2532 CONJ και G4130 [G5681] V-API-3S επλησθη G3588 T-NSM ο G3567 N-GSM | νυμφων G1062 N-NSM | γαμος G345 [G5740] V-PNP-GPM | ανακειμενων 


The King wants the bridal-chamber or bridal room filled. The bridal chamber was to be taken care of and made ready by the friends of the bridegroom. Apparently the bridegroom’s friends didn’t attend to the bridal-chamber, so the King wants the bridal-chamber filled and attended to as well. 


Notice what Jesus says here:


Matthew 9:15 G2532 And G2036 [2said G1473 3to them G3588   G* 1Jesus], G3361 [5are not G1410 6able G3588 1the G5207 2sons G3588 3of the G3567 4bridal chamber] G3996 to mourn G1909 as long as G3745   G3326 [4with G1473 5them G1510.2.3 3is G3588 1the G3566 2groom]. G2064 But there shall come G1161   G2250 days G3752 whenever G522 [3departs G575 4from G1473 5them G3588 1the G3566 2groom], G2532 and G5119 then G3522 they shall fast. 


“And said them the Jesus, not possible the children the bridal-chamber mourn how much on in the midst of them the bridegroom but come day when lift off away from them the bridegroom and at that time fast.” 


Jesus says that there will come a day when the bridegroom is lifted off, away from them, them who? The children of the bridal-chamber. It is the children of the bridal-chamber who mourn and fast when the bridegroom leaves. Jesus is going to marry the children of the bridal-chamber. 


The King wants the bridal-chamber filled and the wedding feast filled but someone sneaks in. 


Matthew 22:11 G1525 [4entering G1161 1And G3588 2the G935 3king] G2300 to see G3588 the ones G345 reclining, G1492 beheld G1563 there G444 a man G3756 not G1746 having put on G1742 [2garment G1062 1 the wedding]. 


“But the entering in King look on the reclining remember in that place manfaced not put on garment wedding.”


Matthew 22:12 G2532 And G3004 he says G1473 to him, G2083 Friend, G4459 how G1525 did you enter G5602 here G3361 not G2192 having G1742 [2garment G1062 1a wedding]? G3588 And he G1161   G5392 was halted. 


“And says he, ‘friend in what way come in here not possess garment wedding?’ But the shut up as with a muzzle.”


In the East the guests invited to a wedding are given a white wedding garment, like a robe, to wear for the wedding. This particular wedding crasher did not have a wedding garment on. This is why the King knew that the man did not belong there. Somehow, when the garments were handed out to the guests, this man was not there. It seems that the man snuck in later.  


Revelation 19 tells us about the bride and the wedding. Everyone wears white linen. 


Revelation 19: 7 G5463 Let us rejoice G2532 and G21 exult, G2532 and G1325 let us give G3588 the G1391 glory G1473 to him! G3754 for G2064 [5is come G3588 1the G1062 2wedding G3588 3of the G721 4lamb], G2532 and G3588   G1135 his wife G1473   G2090 prepared G1438 herself. 

  8 G2532 And G1325 it was given G1473 to her G2443 that G4016 she should wear G1039 fine linen G2986 bright G2532 and G2513 clean; G3588 for the G1063   G1039 fine linen, G3588 [2the G1345 3right actions G1510.2.3 1is] G3588 of the G39 holy ones. 

  9 G2532 And G3004 he says G1473 to me, G1125 Write! G3107 Blessed are G3588 the ones G1519 [2to G3588 3the G1173 4supper G3588 5of the G1062 6wedding G3588 7of the G721 8lamb G2564 1being called]. G2532 And G3004 he says G1473 to me, G3778 These G3588   G3056 words G228 [2are true G1510.2.6   G3588   G2316 1of God]. 


White linen is given to the bride for the dikaiōma, the “equitable deeds” of the saints, the “justification” of the saints, or the “righteousness” of the saints. John is told to write that those who are called to the wedding supper of the Lamb are blessed. Certainly this is a better place to be than the outer gloom where people will be crying and grinding their teeth. It seems that the wedding will be a happy occasion that some people will not enter into. 


There will be no sneaking into the wedding either. The King will see who was not invited and whose works were unrighteous. 


Matthew 22:13 G5119 Then G2036 [3said G3588 1the G935 2king] G3588 to the G1249 servants, G1210 Having bound G1473 his G4228 feet G2532 and G5495 hands, G142 lift G1473 him G2532 and G1544 cast him G1519 into G3588 the G4655 [2darkness G3588   G1857 1outer]! G1563 There, G1510.8.3 there will be G3588 the G2805 weeping G2532 and G3588 the G1030 gnashing G3588   G3599 of teeth. 


“At that time the King said the servants tie his feet and hands, throw him into the darkness the outermost, in that place will be the weeping and the grinding the teeth.”


Matthew 22:14 G4183 For many G1063   G1510.2.6 are G2822 called, G3641 but few G1161   G1588 are chosen. 


“For many called/invited but few selected/chosen.”


Many were called, the servants called all the people who were invited, but they did not come. The King’s servants then called all the people and they came to the wedding. We may remember what Revelation 17 says. 


Revelation 17:14 G3778 These G3326 [2against G3588 3the G721 4lamb G4170 1shall wage war], G2532 and G3588 the G721 lamb G3528 will overcome G1473 them, G3754 for G2962 [2Lord G2962 3of lords G1510.2.3 1he is] G2532 and G935 king G935 of kings; G2532 and G3588 the ones G3326 with G1473 him G2822 are called, G2532 and G1588 chosen, G2532 and G4103 trustworthy. 


This tells us that the ones who are called can then be chosen and are trustworthy. These chosen people make up the army of the Lamb. Those on the outside of the Kingdom of Heaven will not be part of the wedding, the bride, or the army of the Lamb. There is a separation from those in the outer darkness and those in the Kingdom of Heaven. 


Jesus explains to his servants what trustworthy servants should be doing. 


Matthew 24:45 G5100 Who G686 then G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G4103 trustworthy G1401 [3manservant G2532 1and G5429 2practical] G3739 whom G2525 [2placed G3588   G2962 1his master] G1473   G1909 over G3588   G2322 his service, G1473   G3588   G1325 to give G1473 to them G3588   G5160 provision G1722 in G2540 season? 

  46 G3107 Blessed is G3588   G1401 that servant G3739 whom G2064 [2having come G3588   G2962 1his master] G1473   G2147 shall find G4160 doing G3779 thus. 

  47 G281 Amen G3004 I say G1473 to you G3754 that, G1909 Over G3956 all G3588   G5224 his possessions G1473   G2525 he shall place G1473 him. 


Blessed are Jesus’ servants who are doing what Jesus asks them to do. These people are known as trustworthy. Why? Because it does not matter if we know, or do not know, when Jesus is coming, we are doing whatever he asks us to do regardless. If we remember Jesus’ words regarding the people that he redeemed then we see that they are Kings and Priests. 


Revelation 1:5 G2532 and G575 from G* Jesus G5547 Christ, G3588 the G3144 [2witness G3588   G4103 1trustworthy], G3588 the G4416 first-born G3588 of the G3498 dead, G2532 and G3588 the G758 ruler G3588 of the G935 kings G3588 of the G1093 earth. G3588 To the G25 one loving G1473 us, G2532 and G3068 bathing G1473 us G575 from G3588   G266 our sins G1473   G1722 in G3588   G129 his blood, G1473   

  6 G2532 and G4160 made G1473 us G932 a kingdom, G2409 priests G3588 to G2316 God, G2532 and G3962 to the father G1473 of him; G1473 to him G3588 be the G1391 glory G2532 and G3588 the G2904 might G1519 into G3588 the G165 eons G3588 of the G165 eons. G281 Amen


Jesus makes his servants kings and priests, and places his kings and priests over his possessions. These are the trustworthy people. In contrast, there are servants that get tired of serving because they think that the Master is taking too long to return and so they start behaving badly. They are not going to be in the Kingdom of Heaven. 


Matthew 24:48 G1437 But if G1161   G2036 [4should say G3588   G2556 2evil G1401 3servant G1565 1that] G1722 in G3588   G2588 his heart, G1473   G5549 [2passes time G3588   G2962 1My master] G1473   G2064 to come; 

  49 G2532 and G756 he should begin G5180 to beat G3588 the G4889 fellow-servants, G2068 and to eat G1161   G2532 and G4095 drink G3326 with G3588 the ones G3184 being intoxicated; 

  50 G2240 [4shall come G3588 1the G2962 2master G3588   G1401 3of that servant] G1565   G1722 in G2250 a day G3739 in which G3756 he does not G4328 expect, G2532 and G1722 in G5610 an hour G3739 in which G3756 he knows not. G1097   

  51 G2532 And G1371 he shall cut him in pieces, G1473   G2532 and G3588   G3313 his portion G1473   G3326 [2with G3588 3the G5273 4hypocrites G5087 1will be established]. G1563 There, G1510.8.3 there shall be G3588 the G2805 weeping G2532 and G3588 the G1030 gnashing G3588 of the G3599 teeth. 


“And cut them in two and the their part set in the midst of the hypocrite in that place will be the weeping and the grinding the teeth”


These servants will be cut in two, or bisected, and placed with the hypocrites. Hypocrites are actors and pretenders. What are they pretending? To be servants of Jesus. The difference between a true servant and a pseudo servant is that when Jesus comes the true servant is serving. The pseudo servant is pretending to serve. 


As we studied last week, the servant who buried the money that his master gave him was thrown into the outer darkness.  


Matthew 25:26 G611 And responding G1161   G3588   G2962 his master G1473   G2036 said G1473 to him, G4190 O Wicked G1401 [3servant G2532 1and G3636 2lazy], G1492 you knew G3754 that G2325 I harvest G3699 where G3756 I sowed not, G4687   G2532 and G4863 gather G3606 from where G3756 I dispersed not. G1287   

  27 G1163 It was necessary G3767 then G1473 for you G906 to put G3588   G694 my money G1473   G3588 with the G5133 bankers; G2532 and G2064 coming G1473 I G2865 be delivered G302 whatever G3588   G1699 was mine G4862 with G5110 interest. 

  28 G142 Take G3767 then G575 from G1473 him G3588 the G5007 talent, G2532 and G1325 give it G3588 to the one G2192 having G3588 the G1176 ten G5007 talents! 

  29 G3588   G1063 For G2192 to every one having G3956   G1325 shall be given, G2532 and G4052 shall abound; G575 but from G1161   G3588 the one G3361 not G2192 having, G2532 even G3739 what G2192 he has G142 shall be taken G575 from G1473 him. 

  30 G2532 And G3588 [2the G888 3useless G1401 4servant G1544 1cast out] G1519 into G3588   G4655 [2darkness G3588   G1857 1outer]! G1563 There, G1510.8.3 there will be G3588 the G2805 weeping G2532 and G3588   G1030 gnashing G3588 of the G3599 teeth. 


“And the useless/unprofitable/good for nothing bondman throw/banish into the darkness the outer/outmost in that place will be the weeping/lamentation and the grinding/grating the teeth”. 


This is another group that ends up in the outer darkness, those who do not use what the Lord gave them. They consider themselves to be servants, but they do not use the masters money to gain more. 


The sons of the kingdom (some heirs of Jacob) are not going to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven because they did not believe in Jesus as Lord and Messiah. Instead, the Centurion and his servant believed in Jesus as Lord and Messiah. There were people hanging around where Jesus ate and taught, and they will knock on the door, but Jesus will not know them; they too will be outside the Kingdom of Heaven. There will be people who prophesy, cast out demons, and do miracles; but they will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven because Jesus does not know them. There will be people who are not prepared to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven and the door will be shut because Jesus doesn’t know the people who are unprepared. We should always be prepared. Also, people must do what Jesus says. We cannot come to Jesus, calling him “Lord Lord”, if we are not doing what he asks. The first people called to the wedding were not deserving, so others were called. The second group of people were called to the bridal-chamber and the wedding. Yet someone came to the wedding without a proper wedding garment. That one was thrown out. There are people who are trustworthy servants and there are hypocrites. The hypocrites are outside crying. There are servants who bury the money that the master gives them and they do not “manufacture” more. Those servants are thrown into the outer darkness crying and grinding their teeth. 


The outer darkness is not the place any of us wish to end up. Being prepared, being trustworthy, and doing something with what the Lord gave us is what’s required of us. We will end with Enoch’s instructions. 




The Book of the Secrets of Enoch 65:


LXV.

Of Enoch's instruction of his sons.

AND Enoch answered all his people saying: 'Hear, my children, before that all creatures were created, the Lord created the visible and invisible things.

2 And as much time as there was and went past, understand that after that he created man in the likeness of his own form, and put into him eyes to see, and ears to hear, and heart to reflect, and intellect wherewith to deliberate.

3 And the Lord saw all man's works, and created all his creatures, and divided time, from time he fixed the years, and from the years he appointed the months, and from the months he appointed the days, and of days he appointed seven.

4 And in those he appointed the hours, measured them out exactly, that man might reflect on time and count years, months, and hours, their alternation, beginning, and end, and that he might count his own life, from the beginning until death, and reflect on his sin and write his work bad and good; because no work is hidden before the Lord, that every man might know his works and never transgress all his commandments, and keep my handwriting from generation to generation.

5 When all creation visible and invisible, as the Lord created it, shall end, then every man goes to the great judgement, and then all time shall perish, and the years, and thenceforward there will be neither months nor days nor hours, they will be stuck together and will not be counted.

6 There will be one aeon, and all the righteous who shall escape the Lord's great judgment, shall be collected in the great aeon, for the righteous the great aeon will begin, and they will live eternally, and then too there will be amongst them neither labour, nor sickness, nor humiliation, nor anxiety, nor need, nor violence, nor night, nor darkness, but great light.

7 And they shall have a great indestructible wall, and a paradise bright and incorruptible, for all corruptible things shall pass away, and there will be eternal life.