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Matthew 13:24
Here is another story Jesus told:“ The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field.
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Revelation 19:7-9
Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people.And the angel said to me,“ Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added,“ These are true words that come from God.”
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Luke 14:16-24
Jesus replied with this story:“ A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations.When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests,‘ Come, the banquet is ready.’But they all began making excuses. One said,‘ I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’Another said,‘ I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’Another said,‘ I just got married, so I can’t come.’“ The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said,‘ Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’After the servant had done this, he reported,‘ There is still room for more.’So his master said,‘ Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full.For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.’”
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Ephesians 5:24-32
As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for herto make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.And we are members of his body.As the Scriptures say,“ A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.”This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.
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John 3:29-30
It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the bridegroom’s friend is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows. Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success.He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.
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Matthew 13:31-33
Here is another illustration Jesus used:“ The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.”Jesus also used this illustration:“ The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough.”
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2 Corinthians 11 2
For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband— Christ.
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Matthew 22:2-14
“ The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a king who prepared a great wedding feast for his son.When the banquet was ready, he sent his servants to notify those who were invited. But they all refused to come!“ So he sent other servants to tell them,‘ The feast has been prepared. The bulls and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything is ready. Come to the banquet!’But the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business.Others seized his messengers and insulted them and killed them.“ The king was furious, and he sent out his army to destroy the murderers and burn their town.And he said to his servants,‘ The wedding feast is ready, and the guests I invited aren’t worthy of the honor.Now go out to the street corners and invite everyone you see.’So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with guests.“ But when the king came in to meet the guests, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding.‘ Friend,’ he asked,‘ how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply.Then the king said to his aides,‘ Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’“ For many are called, but few are chosen.”
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Psalms 45:10-16
Listen to me, O royal daughter; take to heart what I say. Forget your people and your family far away.For your royal husband delights in your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord.The princess of Tyre will shower you with gifts. The wealthy will beg your favor.The bride, a princess, looks glorious in her golden gown.In her beautiful robes, she is led to the king, accompanied by her bridesmaids.What a joyful and enthusiastic procession as they enter the king’s palace!Your sons will become kings like their father. You will make them rulers over many lands.
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Matthew 25:1-14
“ Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps,but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.“ At midnight they were roused by the shout,‘ Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’“ All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.Then the five foolish ones asked the others,‘ Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’“ But the others replied,‘ We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’“ But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling,‘ Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’“ But he called back,‘ Believe me, I don’t know you!’“ So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.“ Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone.
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Matthew 13:44-47
“ The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field.“ Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant on the lookout for choice pearls.When he discovered a pearl of great value, he sold everything he owned and bought it!“ Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a fishing net that was thrown into the water and caught fish of every kind.
