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Seven_0, you ask good questions, and as far as I can tell, you're sincere ("good faith"). I love talking about this stuff (did I mention I plan to write a book one of these days as the Lord opens the door(s)?) so hopefully we can keep this on a positive plane and keep 'er going. In talking about this stuff I find I'm forced to dig down, kick the tires (the truth always survives getting the tires kicked), maybe explore unexamined areas, and I almost always learn stuff I didn't realize before.

A lot of folks are more concerned about proving how "right" they are. Those are usually the ones who are more concerned about defending their "pet doctrines" than in finding the truth from God's Word with the help of the Holy Spirit. I only care about the truth because I know the truth sets us free (and I know my pet doctrines won't set anybody free). This is what I mean by "erasing the blackboard" of your heart and mind, sitting at Jesus' feet, and letting him do the teaching.

In most of Jesus' parables, although we are the Bride of Christ, we are also shown as the guests. Where?

Well, for starters try his parable at Luke 14:12-14; his parable at vs. 16-24; vs 15 (which explains how the two parables connect), and his parable at Matt. 22:2-14. I'll let you do some more research on your own).

We are also the armies on horseback, compare Rev 19:8 and 19:14.

Cool, huh?

all as many as they found, both bad and good

Now you're getting into the parts that are more difficult to understand. As I've said, don't reject plain sound doctrine and truth for the parts that are more hard to understand.

IMO Heaven will be filled with those who have received rewards - some many rewards, some not too many, some possibly none at all, yet they are still saved because "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" - the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Hebrews Chapt. 4 tells us a lot about not missing the rewards God has for us, and it has NOTHING to do with our self-effort or self-righteousness, like the Pharisees who Jesus constantly rebuked and condemned.

As I've said, don't reject plain sound doctrine and truth for the parts that are more hard to understand.

I have a list of rules for interpreting scripture. What would I do if I came across a contradiction between plain sound doctrine and parts that are hard to understand?

I don’t have a problem with being a guest or the bride at a wedding but it is difficult for me to say that the bride is a guest. Luke presents Christ as a man and Matthew presents Christ as a King (Rev.4:7). Looking at the differences in the narratives allows us to see this. In the Gospel of Luke we are the guests but at the wedding of the King’s son, we are the bride.