The Faithfulness of God

The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. (Matthew 22:7-8).

The troops that destroyed those murderers and burned their city is a prophetic reference to the Roman General Titus who conquered Judea and Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Josephus, in his “Jewish Wars” described the slaughter of over one-million Jews in Jerusalem and Judea, and the burning of the Temple and the city to the ground. The Romans were merciless, killing men, women, and children, the aged and the infant, the priests, farmers, merchants, politicians, and the sick, diseased, and handicapped. No one was spared. It was a thorough purging of the land by the hand of God.

What does this tell us about God? (1) God is patient, gracious, and merciful to save (vv.1-6) not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

(2) When God’s invitation to repent of sin and come into His Kingdom is rebuffed and rejected, His wrath is kindled, and destruction soon follows. (Genesis 6:1-7; 2 Kings 17:7-23; Daniel 1:1-2; Romans 1:18-32; Revelation 6 - 19). It is important to note that the God of the Old Testament is the same as the God of the New Testament. Both are patient, gracious, and merciful. Both call into judgment those who reject their pleas to repent and be saved. Especially note that it is Jesus Christ who opens the seals and calls for the blowing of the trumpets and pouring out the bowls of God’s wrath in Revelation 6 - 19.

(3) Being ‘unworthy’ has nothing to do with inherent goodness because no one is inherently good. (Rom 3:10-20) “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

(4) The true pattern of salvation is consistent throughout the Bible. God calls man to repent of sin and trust in Him and in Jesus Christ, and man must answer that call in faith and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior (John 3:16-17; Romans 10:8-11; Acts 16:31-34).

“Thank You Lord, for Your consistency throughout Scripture. There is great confidence and faith in You, Your will and purpose, and Your plan of salvation for all who will come to You in faith. Thank You for salvation through Jesus Christ. To You be all praise, honor, and glory forever, Amen.”

Pastor