It is written that Jesus, when the tomb was opened, an angel appeared to Mary Magdalene, and the angel told her that Jesus would appear before the Disciples in Galilee; He appeared to Mary Magdalene, and then to others, who did not recognize Him as they walked and spoke with Him, as His body was changed. He also met with the Disciples, appearing before them, as they met in fear because they had learned the Lord's body was missing from the tomb. After a time, He was caught up into heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of the Father.
Can you tell me the where/when from whence Jesus came to join the disciples in the upper room after His resurrection?
Jesus, from my understanding, revealed Himself to others, not just to all the Disciples. I have learned that it is possible that He appeared to others around the world; but I cannot point to any particular Scripture to state that emphatically.
Can you show me how one becomes a guest at the wedding feast in Heaven and not be ‘the Bride’? God has a means by which He decides whom that list of guests includes. Can you tell me the criteria of that list?
The invitation to the Wedding is given to "all who will come that are called by God." [Matt. 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen; for we have been "predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son" (Romans 8:29); Ephesians 1:5: He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will; there are other Scriptures which speak to predestination] (Matt. 22:9-10); in the particular parable about which we speak, the guests who do meet the demands of the King (God) (wearing Christ's clothes of righteousness) are asked why. Their response? "They are speechless." (Matt. 22:12) They have no excuse; and they are then removed from that place and thrown out from God's presence. Additionally, Christ has said that
Therefore, because it is Christ Who reveals Himself to others, upon whom God has given them the ability to have faith ("For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9;---even our FAITH is credit to God, not ourselves], the working of salvation is God's, not ours. Except that we are commanded to "go and tell."
The Parable of the Tares (Matt. 13:24-30) shows, by Jesus own words, that the field is the world upon which Jesus sows the good seed; the good seed, He says, is the "sons of the kingdom." (Matt. 13:36-38) But not every seed is planted by God, some are planted by the evil one. Therefore, though the harvest is to be done throughout the field (the world), not all were God's to begin with.
Was there a particular reason as to why you are asking me these questions? I have never represented myself to be a theologian or minister, but I have studied the word, and, though I do not have the ability to recall, with specificity, every scripture at a moment's notice for instantaneous recitation, my pastors/teachers have been those who I feel great fortune to have learned from, which include names of obscurity, to those such as Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel (when I was in high school), Pastor Ray Ortlund (now deceased) (as a young adult), and J. Vernon McGee (through his Thru the Bible Radio) (as a young parent). I feel these people have taught me sound doctrine.
the guests who do meet the demands of the King (God) (wearing Christ's clothes of righteousness) are asked why.
and should read:
the guests who do NOT meet the demands of the King (God) (wearing Christ's clothes of righteousness) are asked why.
Quick response to your new post I just scanned. I am NOT saying that those who do not receive the Gospel are NOT saved. God is a just God. I do not believe that those people who were never able to REJECT Christ will be held to account for something they could not do. I have also been taught that for those people who have NOT heard the Gospel concerning Christ (naturally, this would mean people who were born since He lived and died), that they will be judged according to their hearts/deeds/cultural norms/laws, and if they did what was "right" according to whatever standard it is that God may use to judge them through their own hearts and actions, etc.
I asked because of the intended posting ... before (timewise) Jesus ascends into Heaven, He tarried upon the Earth for many days following His resurrection. There is a where/when we are not privy to presently which is not Heaven, which is real, and which has far less temporal limitation than our current relam of existence. No one can say that those who die do not pass thorugh this realm and thus can be 'measured by God' during the transit. The wedding guests in heaven are only going to be there because His redemption has been 'graced' to them also, and they are not the Bride and we know how one can be counted amongst the Bride.
Here's a further interesting notion. If one familiarizes with the Jewish wedding party, the Bride has an entourage which goes out with her when the call to the wedding is proclaimed. The guests are yet another group called to the wedding feast.
You started #927 with ‘On the other hand’ as if to stand that post in contrast or disagreement with what I had offered. You’re confusing me now ...