"Blessed are those invited to the Lamb's Wedding Feast: Called vs. Chosen"

 

"Blessed are those invited to the Lamb's Wedding Feast: Called vs. Chosen"

Rev. 19:9 The angel said to me, “Write: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “This is the true word of God.”

Matt. 22:2 The kingdom of the heavens is like a king who prepared a wedding for his son.

Matt. 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

 

Analysis Item	Called	Chosen
Basic Definition	Accepting salvation, called by God to become believers	Receiving rewards, chosen to participate in the Lamb's wedding feast
Spiritual Meaning	Salvation level - saved, becoming God's children	Reward level - overcoming, becoming Lamb's bride
Scope	All believers who accept Christ (many)	Only overcoming believers (few)
Conditions	Believe and accept Jesus Christ as Savior	Faithful overcoming, continuous obedience to the end
Time Nature	One-time decision, permanently established	Requires continuous overcoming, finally determined at judgment seat
Certainty	Certain (once saved, always saved)	Uncertain (needs to be judged at Christ's judgment seat)
Judgment Result	Not condemned (Rom 8:1)	Determined at Christ's judgment seat - reward or loss
Final Status	God's children, citizens of heaven	Lamb's bride, co-reigning with Christ
Period of Enjoyment	Eternal life	Millennial Kingdom special reward + eternal life
Participation Rights	Enter heaven, receive eternal life	Participate in Lamb's wedding feast, co-reign with Christ in Millennium
Biblical Examples	• Matt 22: All invited guests • Ten virgins all waiting for bridegroom • All called to be saints • 1 Cor 3:15: Saved but works burned	• Matt 22: Those with wedding garments entering feast • Five wise virgins with oil • Rev 17:14: Called, chosen, and faithful • 1 Cor 3:14: Works remaining, receiving reward
Related Scriptures	Rom 1:7 "Called to be saints" 1 Cor 1:2 "Called to be saints" Eph 4:1 "Walk worthy of calling" Matt 22:14 "Many are called"	Matt 22:14 "Few are chosen" Rev 17:14 "Called, chosen and faithful" Rev 19:9 "Blessed are those invited to Lamb's wedding feast" Matt 25:10 "Those ready went in to the feast"
Present Application	• Evangelize for salvation • Be grateful for salvation grace • Confirm one's salvation • Don't abandon the faith	• Pursue spiritual growth • Watch and prepare for Lord's coming • Serve faithfully and bear fruits • Examine if life is overcoming
Life Attitude	Based on salvation, grateful for God's grace	Aimed at overcoming, pursuing life maturity
Ministry Focus	Lead souls to Christ, spread Gospel	Build up lives, faithful service
Self-Examination	Am I truly saved by faith?	Am I faithful and overcoming to the end?
Consequence of Failure	Perishing (if not truly saved)	Suffering loss, missing the feast (but still saved)
Positive Result	Eternal life, becoming God's children	Receiving reward, co-reigning with Christ
Special Relationship	God's children identity	Lamb's bride identity (invitees are also the bride)
Age Significance	Foundation of entire church age	Special reward of Millennial age
Wedding Feast Role	May not participate in Lamb's wedding feast	Both bride and wedding guests
Kingdom Position	Citizens of heaven	Co-reigning with Christ
Judgment Standard	Whether believing and accepting Christ	Whether life overcomes,  whether works remain
Biblical Warning	Don't apostatize (Heb 6:4-6)	Don't become slack or retreat (Heb 10:38-39)
Hope Focus	Eternal life in heaven	Special enjoyment in Millennium + eternal life
Practical Examples	• Thief on cross (saved but no time to overcome) • Foolish virgins (saved but missed feast)	• Overcoming saints throughout history • Wise virgins • Faithful servants

 

Core Truth Summary

"Many are called, but few are chosen" (Matt 22:14)

• Called: General grace, all believers are called to be saints
• Chosen: Special reward, only overcoming believers are chosen for Lamb's wedding feast

Nature of Lamb's Wedding Feast

• The same as Rev 19:9 Lamb's wedding feast and Matt 22:2 king's wedding feast for his son
• It is the Millennial Kingdom, which is only one day in God's sight (2 Pet 3:8)
• A reward for overcoming believers, not all saved people can participate

Important Distinction

• Called = Accepting salvation (one-time, permanently established)
• Chosen = Receiving reward (requires continuous overcoming, determined at judgment seat)

Practical Significance

• Salvation is freely received grace, but rewards require paying the price of overcoming
• All believers must give account at Christ's judgment seat (2 Cor 5:10)
• Goal: Not only to be saved, but to overcome and be chosen for Lamb's wedding feast

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Memorial Day Blending Conference. General Topic: Preparation of the Bride. Chapter 1: The Goal of the One Lord’s Recovery of the Bride