Matthew Chapter 24
They left the temple and the disciples pointed to the massive buildings. Perhaps they sensed the finality of what had just happened and were trying to distract the Lord Jesus. The Lord Jesus used the occasion to describe the end of those buildings and the end of history. What the Lord Jesus said about the buildings unfolded in a few short years when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem.
Sometimes in prophetic scripture one verse leaps hundreds or thousands of years in time between verses. This can happen right in the middle of a verse where there is a comma.
This is the case in these scriptures describing what happened in AD 70 by the Romans and then goes all the way to the end of the church age.
One characteristic of the last days is rampant deception. There is no doubt in my mind that I live in a time of intense delusion and deception. Every time I read a newspaper I do so with the knowledge that everything I am reading is some form of propaganda and lie.
The Lord Jesus described signs of wars, rumors of wars, and earthquakes in various places as the beginning of sorrows. He predicted widespread persecution of Christians. 1 Peter 4:12, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you".
Also, the Lord prophesied many believers would be offended and their love for him would grow cold.
During these last days there is a groundswell of false prophets deceiving people. I see this right now with the rise of the prosperity gospel and false faith teaching in America. Also, there are many people attacking the doctrine of the rapture. All these are signs of false prophets and corrupt bible teaching.
In the middle of the seven year tribulation the abomination of desolation takes place. At this point the great tribulation begins, and events move rapidly in the last 3 1/2 years of the tribulation toward the second coming of the Lord Jesus.
A careful reading of Matthew chapter 24 shows there are two distinct appearances of the Lord Jesus. One is the rapture before the tribulation. The rapture appearance of the Lord Jesus is the one described when one person disappears and one is left. It is a secret appearance of the Lord Jesus when the church is taken out of the world. The other one is at the end of the tribulation when the Lord Jesus is seen by everyone. At the second return every eye on planet earth will see him returning in clouds of glory.
This second coming describes the return of the Lord Jesus at the end of the seven year tribulation period. This return is seen by everyone and is unmistakable.
The Lord Jesus draws a parallel between new growth on a fig tree and world events which indicate the fulfillment of prophecy. When these things are near it is like new leaves on a fig tree which indicates that summer is near. In a similar manner worldwide events which are described in this chapter indicate that the end of the age is near and the beginning of God's kingdom is at hand.
When the Lord Jesus describes no one knowing the day or the hour he is pointing us to his secret return to earth in which the church is snatched out of the world. This is commonly known as the rapture of the church. The original word in Greek is "harpazo", which means "snatching away". Every Christian with this hope purifies his life so he is ready for the imminent return of the Lord Jesus. We are exhorted to always be ready for the return of the Lord Jesus.
An evil servant is like unbelievers who complain that God is not bringing history to an end. This man says in his heart, "My lord delays his coming". He does not prepare himself for the return of the Lord. Instead, he lives whatever way he desires. This man is lazy and careless with his life and does not fear the Lord. The Lord Jesus says this man is separated from the true brethren ("cut asunder") and assigned a place with the hypocrites where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
This should strike the fear of God into the heart of every Christian.
Luke 21:36, "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
Matthew Chapter 25
Here are two parables which describe our responsibility in light of the return of Jesus. We have a straightforward description of what the Lord will do when he returns. He judges the nations.
It is important to understand that everyone in this group are virgins but this group is then subdivided into two groups called "foolish" and "wise". It is important to keep in mind that this is not comparing two unlike groups but two groups within one larger category. Hopefully I can explain why I think this is important.
It is easy to think that the foolish virgins are false believers or unbelievers. I don't think that is accurate because the entire group is one category. We do not have a comparison here of people in completely opposite categories but people who are alike in everything except one crucial detail.
I don't believe foolish virgins are unbelievers or non-Christians. I believe all of these virgins represent the entire house of faith of professing believers. They all know about the return of Jesus.
In this parable the virgins are separated from one another by one simple fact. Those who are foolish do not bring enough oil with them to endure to the end when the bridegroom arrived.
I sincerely believe there must be a choice made by Christians every single day to wake up and put faith in Jesus Christ. I believe we need to confess Jesus Christ is our Lord every day and proclaim that we are united together with him in death, burial, and resurrection. I believe we must be filled with the Holy Spirit every day. I try to remember every day to ask God to fill me with the Holy Spirit and thank him for putting me in Christ Jesus and uniting me with him in death, burial, and resurrection.
I wonder how many Christians understand the importance of abiding in Christ this way every day. It is easy to move away from Jesus and believe in man-made religions, philosophies, and worldly faith systems. These take us away from simple faith in Jesus.
I think the foolish virgins represent Christians who rely on something other than the Holy Spirit. They do not make it to the end. They do not endure to the end.
I believe the only Christian who is eternally secure is the Christian who today believes in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. TODAY is the day of salvation! Don't forget this. Anyone who gets off this is in peril.
This is the saving gospel and power of God for salvation. If we get off this gospel we are not secure. Our only security is the Lord Jesus and not confessing a doctrine of eternal security. Our security is in a MAN, not a doctrine or system of faith. Some Christians should repent of putting faith in doctrine rather than in the living God revealed in the Lord Jesus.
The foolish and wise virgins belong to one house of faith. This was not comparing other religions and Christianity. This was Jesus contrasting two groups in the one house of faith.
It is frightening to consider these facts which is probably why I never have heard a sermon on this parable pinpointing this distinction. I never knew this distinction existed until the Lord showed me.
The Lord showed me there is a true remnant in the house of faith. This true remnant of believers are those filled with the Holy Spirit every day and overcome. They do not merely talk about the Bible and doctrines. They don't just talk about God. Instead, they are united with him every day. They truly die to self and lay down their will in obedience to God's word every day. These believers are prepared to humble their heart in order to experience the presence of the living God. They don't want anything fake or phony from religious people and churches. They want to hear the voice of the Lord and are willing to pay the price to know the Lord Jesus in spirit and in truth.
The Lord Jesus told us to count the cost. To follow him costs our life. We must lose our life for the Lord Jesus in order to find eternal life. That is the straight and narrow road men have such a hard time walking. Why is it hard? Mostly because of pride and unbelief.
Note the end result of the foolish virgins. How surprised they must be when they are shut out of the wedding feast. All along they thought they would be in this wedding and at the last minute they are shut out. Why? Because they were not ready. They were not ready because they were not filled with the Holy Spirit. It is as simple as that.
People may say "I know the Lord" but the real question is this: does the Lord know you?
I want Jesus to know me. I want him to call my name. I heard him call my name before and I desire with all my heart to hear him call my name again.
To hear his voice is the most wonderful experience a man can have this side of heaven.
Here we see a great danger was not just sins of commission but sins of omission. The Lord Jesus used a parable to describe judgment day for servants of a master. This was a reflection of how things will be one day. There will be judgment and separation.
I don't pretend to understand how this takes place but I believe Christians should cultivate right now a genuine fear of God and look forward to the day of the Lord's return.
Most grab a comforting doctrine to soothe their conscience so they are not concerned about future judgment. However, as with the parable of the ten virgins we need to take into consideration this parable describes one group of people: servants of a master who receive talents to employ. Two of these men did well with the talents given to them; one did not.
There was a discerning between groups based upon what they do or do not do in life within these parables.
Is salvation therefore based on works?
Let me say without any doubt our salvation rests solely upon God's grace and not upon our works.
Let me be quick to add someone who truly believes in the Lord Jesus shows it through his life. This is what the parable tells me. Someone who truly believes is about his Father's business just like the Lord Jesus.
Notice the warnings were directed toward the house of faith and professing believers. The next section, however, turned towards dividing unbelieving nations from those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus gave a clear description of judgment day which befell the nations of the world. I believe this judgment took place at the end of the seven year tribulation and right at the beginning of the thousand year reign of Christ over the earth.
The basis of this judgment was related to how nations treat Christ's brethren. Who are these brethren? It is my opinion these brethren refer to Israel. Therefore this judgment is about how nations treat Israel.
I would not want to be in the shoes of a president who turns this nation against Israel. He is inviting wrath from God upon himself and this nation.
