The Bride Made Ready – The Banquet and the Bridegroom

Have you ever felt a holy urgency? A sense that now is the time to get serious, to get ready? If you listened to Episode 21: The Unsignalled Bride: Why your hope is not in a calendar date, you know we discussed the sudden, unexpected nature of the Bridegroom's return. It’s a message that begs the most critical question: How does the Bride actually get ready?

This isn't a question of speculation; it's a question answered by Jesus Himself through two of His most urgent and complementary parables. On the surface, the story of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22) and the story of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25) are powerful on their own. But when we crack them open and lay them side-by-side, they form a complete, prophetic picture—a divine instruction manual for our final preparation.

This is the journey we embarked on in our latest episode of Lion Roars from Zion, and today, we're diving into the key takeaways.

The Two Parables: A Complete Picture of Readiness

Jesus wasn't giving random advice; He was providing two non-negotiable prerequisites for entering the marriage supper of the Lamb. One parable deals with our position, and the other with our practice.

1. The Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22): The Gift of the Garment

The parable is shocking in its grace and its seriousness. A king invites everyone—"both the good and the bad"—to his son's wedding feast. The invitation is radically inclusive. This is the glorious grace of God: the call to His kingdom is for everyone, regardless of past, background, or social standing.

But the story takes a dramatic turn. The king finds a man who accepted the invitation but rejected the custom of the wedding garment. He is speechless when confronted and is cast out into the darkness.

The Lesson: It is not enough to simply show up. To enter the feast, you must be clothed in the right garment.

So, what is this garment? Scripture is clear. Revelation 19:8 tells us that the fine linen worn by the Bride "is the righteous acts of God’s holy people." This isn't about earning salvation through frantic self-effort. It's about being clothed in the righteousness of Christ—a gift that is both imputed to us (making us right with God) and imparted through us (transforming our lives into a reflection of His holiness).

The first key to readiness is being clothed in Christ's righteousness.

2. The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25): The Supply of the Oil

This parable shifts the focus from entry to endurance. Ten bridesmaids are waiting for the bridegroom. They all have lamps. They all look the part. They all expect him. But the bridegroom is delayed.

When the cry finally comes at midnight, the critical difference is revealed: five were wise and brought extra oil for their lamps; five were foolish and did not. Their lights were going out. Their desperate plea to the wise virgins is met with a sobering truth: "You must go and buy for yourselves."

It was too late. The door was shut.

The Lesson: It is not enough to start well. You must have a personal, sustained supply to finish well. The oil universally represents the Holy Spirit. You cannot borrow someone else's relationship with God. You cannot run on the faith of your pastor, your parents, or your past spiritual experiences.

The second key to readiness is being continually filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Powerful Conclusion: The Bride Made Ready

When we bring these two parables together, we see the magnificent and complete picture Jesus painted.

• The Wedding Garment answers what qualifies us: Our position in Christ, His righteousness covering us.

• The Oil answers how we endure: The power of Christ in us, the Holy Spirit sustaining us.

One is about justification; the other is about sanctification. One is about acceptance; the other is about readiness.

And this is how Revelation 19:7 is fulfilled: "...His bride has made herself ready." She is ready because she is clothed in the righteous garment and filled with the oil of the Spirit.

A Call to Action: Are You Ready?

The message for us today is urgent and personal. Our faith cannot be a one-time RSVP. It is a daily abiding. A continuous "yes."

• If you feel the weight of an inadequate "garment," hear the King's invitation today. Turn to Christ, receive His forgiveness and His righteousness. Let His work on the cross be your covering.

• If your "lamp" is flickering and low on oil, hear the cry at midnight. It's not too late to seek a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit. Spend time in prayer, in the Word, and in worship. Get your oil from the Source.

We explored this in much greater depth and passion in our latest episode, "The Bride Made Ready – The Banquet and the Bridegroom". We encourage you to listen to the full teaching for a more powerful unfolding of this truth, including a closing prayer to help you respond.

Remember: The roar of Zion is the call of the Bridegroom. Behold, He is coming soon. Stay ready, stay filled, and keep your eyes on Him.

Listen to Episode 24: “The Bride Made Ready – The Banquet and the Bridegroom” on your favourite platform: Podbean | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Podcasts | Our Website

Subscribe to Lion Roars from Zion for teachings that provide an eternal perspective on temporal events.

We want to hear from you. How is God calling you to carry truth into your marketplace? Share your thoughts with us on social media @LionRoarsFromZion.