Matthew Matthew 25:1-30 The Second Coming ~ Part 3 I thought you might find the following of interest. I found it in an email from Jews for Jesus just this week. A Note from David Brickner: Rebuilding the Temple Revisited The request reads: Children wanted for Future Temple service. Ultra-orthodox Jewish sect is searching for parents willing to hand over newborn sons to be raised in isolation and purity in preparation for the rebuilding of the biblical temple in Jerusalem. Only members of the Jewish priestly caste, the Kohanim need apply... Words from an ancient scroll discovered in a recent archeological dig? Or perhaps an excerpt from a Hollywood screenplay for some biblical epic? Actually, those words appeared in the contemporary Israeli newspaper, Haaretz. (NS News Headlines March 2, 1998) Concerns and conflicts that might seem ancient and antiquated to westerners are, in fact, current events in the Middle East. And no subject is more controversial or fraught with more emotional TNT than rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. A recent poll conducted by the Panels Institute in Israel revealed that almost two thirds of today s Israeli Jews want to see the Temple in Jerusalem rebuilt. Commenting on the poll, Rabbi Danny Draper said, We are a nation with a remarkable historic affinity. The Temple was destroyed 1,942 years ago, and almost two thirds of the population want to see it rebuilt, including 47% of seculars. Much of the attention to this poll came as a result of the recent observance of Tisha B av, the ninth day of the month of Av on the Jewish calendar (which corresponded this year with July 30.) According to tradition, this day marks the destruction of both the first and second temples in Jerusalem. It is a day of great mourning, especially for religious Jews. 1 X The Coming of the Kingdom 19:1-25:46 C. Fifth Discourse: The Coming of the End of the Age 24:1-25:46 6. The Flood Verses 36-41 7. Four Parables Chapters 24:42-25:30 a. The Homeowner and the Thief Verses 42-44 b. The Good and Wicked Servants Verses 45-51 c. The Ten Virgins Chapter 25:1-13 d. The Talents Verses 14-30 Introduction: Now just to bring us back up to speed. As we ve seen, even when people agree on eschatological approaches, they can disagree on how a specific passage fits into a prophetic pattern. And that s fine. If this wasn t the case we wouldn t find ourselves in the minority view. After all the majority of Christendom rejects the concept of a rapture, of a lit- 1 Brickner, David, Rebuilding the Temple Revisited, Jews for Jesus, August 2009, www.jewsforjesus.org/publications/realtime/74/01/#2.
eral Tribulation and a literal thousand year rule of Christ from the throne of David in a restored Israel. Yes, I said minority view. G. Campbell Morgan sees this entire section as Jesus predicting the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D., obviously not the case. The problem isn t their eschatology, which is wrong. The problem is their rejection of Israel, replacing it with the church. This in spite of the teachings of scripture. So while we may not always see eye to eye with someone s prophetic system, or even when we do, how we agree specifically, we must remember our purpose here. It isn t to convince someone s thinking on secondary issues, it is to understand who God calls us to be, lovers of Him, others, and disciple makers. Walvoord notes: While these illustrations, beginning in verse 32, have as their primary interpretation and exhortation the situation immediately preceding the second coming of Christ, there are parallels to those living today in expectation of the rapture. Believers today also need to be faithful, to be recognizing the signs of the times, and to be living in such a way that they are ready for the Lord s return. Even among those who differ in their basic interpretation of prophecy, there is this constant unifying note of being ready for the Lord s return. John Calvin, for instance, in commenting on 1 John 2:18, states, It behooves us to comfort ourselves at this day, and to see by faith the near advent of Christ nothing more now remained but that Christ should appear for the redemption of the world. 2 For Christ s possible introduction to the rapture, go to the events of the night before the crucifixion in John 14, specifically verses 1-3. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am (John 14:1-3). That being said, let s go back to our context. The Olivet Discourse is Christ s answer to His disciples regarding the second coming. He has said, no one knows specifically when this will occur. Just as we don t know when the rapture will occur. MacArthur notes: Although there will be observable, worldwide, and unmistakable indications of His coming just before it occurs, the exact time will not be revealed in advance. Of that day and hour no one knows, Jesus declared categorically. The signs He had just been describing will be conclusive proof that His arrival is very near. Once they have begun the general time period of His return will be known, because on of the key purposes of the signs will be to make it know. But even during those sign-days the precise day and hour of Jesus appearing will not be known, a truth He reiterates several times in this Olivet discourse. 3 So, as we ll see a bit later in this chapter, the unrighteous of the Tribulation period will be taken away to immediate judgment, that is to the holding place where the wicked have been kept against the day of the Great White Throne Judgment. And the elect, both Jew and Gentile who survive the period will enter the kingdom. So Jesus says be on the watch, be alert, be 2 Walvoord, John F., Matthew Thy Kingdom Come, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 1974, p. 194. 3 MacArthur, John, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, Matthew 1-7, Moody Press, Chicago, IL, 1985, p. 70. ) 720 (
obedient. Israel is to be in preparation for the coming of her Messiah/King. And He uses these parables as illustrations. c. The Ten Virgins: Because of the tendency of some to find the church in the midst of this message, in spite of the fact the only place Jesus may talk even talk about the Rapture is in the passage we ve seen in John 14, this specific parable becomes a basis for teaching the partial rapture, a not very popular theory. Here a bit of background on the Jewish wedding used as the tapestry for this parable. Normally the bridegroom with some close friends left his home to go to the bride s home, where there were various ceremonies, followed by a procession through the streets after nightfall to his home. The ten virgins may be bridesmaids who have been assisting the bride; and they expect to meet the groom as he comes from the bride s house, though this is uncertain. Everyone in the procession was expected to carry his or her own torch. Those without a torch would be assumed to be party crashers or even brigands. The festivities, which might last several days, would formally get under way at the groom s house. 4 Keeping in mind the overall focus of this Olivet Discourse is to warn Israel to be alert, the cost of not doing so is serious. It can mean the difference between entering the kingdom or not. The obvious explanation is, the bridegroom is the Messiah. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) (Revelation 19:7-8). The virgins who were to be watchful are representing Israel. Some translations probably using the Peshitta translation actually say the virgins went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. While this isn t found in the best manuscripts, in terms of events it is conceptually valid. Dr. McGee states: It is my understanding that, although the marriage of Christ and the church takes place in heaven, the marriage supper takes place on earth. A passage in the Gospel of Luke substantiates this. As our Lord is giving warnings and parables, He says: 5 Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him (Luke 12:35-36). You see, the wedding has taken place, and the bride is with him. Obviously, if he is coming from the wedding, the bride is with him; no man ever went on a honeymoon by himself if he did, it wasn t a honeymoon! 6 4 Carson, D. A., The Expositor s Bible Commentary, Matthew, Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 1990. 5 McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Vol. IV, Matthew Romans, Thru The Bible Radio, Pasadena, CA, 1983, p. 134. 6 Ibid. ) 721 (
In preparation for the kingdom Christ returns with us, the Church, and the faithful of Israel will enter in with us. But sadly, just as among the Gentiles, there will be those among the Jews who would also not be prepared. There are those whose still will harden their hearts, refusing to accept Jesus as Messiah. These are the foolish virgins. And this is the kind of spiritual foolishness we see all through scripture. It is the foolishness that separates one from God throughout eternity. It is interesting that all the virgins slept. This doesn t seem to be a problem. The difference is some were prepared for the coming of the bridegroom, the others weren t. This is very similar to the parable of the wheat and tares. The fact is, all claimed to be waiting for the bridegroom, but some were only professors not possessors. Barbieri notes: Israel in the Tribulation will know that Jesus coming is near, but not all will be spiritually prepared for it. His coming will be sudden, when it is not expected (24:27, 39, 50). Though this passage does not specifically interpret the meaning of the oil, many commentators see it as representing the Holy Spirit and His work in salvation. Salvation is more than mere profession for it involves regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Those who will merely profess to be saved, and do not actually possess the Spirit, will be excluded from the feast, that is, the kingdom. Those who fail to be ready when the King comes, cannot enter His kingdom. Since the day and hour of His return are unknown, believers in the Tribulation should keep watch, that is, be alert and prepared (cf. 24:42). 7 McGee and Walvoord both hold that the difference is further reinforced by the wise virgins having the Holy Spirit, represented by the oil. Whether or not this is straining at the details, the general principle must remain the focus. Walvoord summarizes and applies this parable by noting: What is true of the second coming is, of course, also true of the rapture, and believers today can derive a secondary application of this passage for their own need. In our modern world, where superficial religion is all too evident, this passage reminds us once again that apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, symbolized by the oil, no one is ready for the coming of the Lord. 8 Finally, the wise could not share with the foolish. God has no grandchildren. Spirituality isn t transferable. And it can t be purchased. You can t go to the local oil exchange and get an oil which is from God. Paul understood this when he said: For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises (Romans 9:3-4). Be watchful and make sure you are right with the Lord, empowered by His Spirit. This is the warning of those who want to enter the kingdom. This is true for us, waiting on His coming. d. The Talents: First just a reminder about the value of talents. In OT times, a talent was a unit of weight equaling about 75 pounds (34 kg). In NT times, it was a unit of monetary reckoning (though not an actual coin), valued at about 6,000 drachmas, the equivalent of 7 Barbieri, Jr., Louis A., The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Matthew, Victor Books, Colorado Springs, CO, 1987. 8 Walvoord, p. 197. ) 722 (
about 20 years wages for a laborer. (A common laborer earned about one denarius per day.) In approximate modern equivalents, if a laborer earns $15 per hour, at 2,000 hours per year he would earn $30,000 per year, and a talent would equal $600,000 (USD). 9 Just as the virgins were to be prepared for the coming of the bridegroom, so the servants were to be prepared for the coming of their master. The first were to be in a state of personal readiness, watching, the second in terms of being active in service for the Lord, working. So much of Israel s history has been one of failure and disobedience. But there has always been a faithful remnant, whether it was David, the prophets, and some of the Kings of Judah. Here the warning is to be obedient to serving the Lord in the times leading up to the kingdom. And those who fail will be taken into judgment. Those who are judged as being unworthy to enter the kingdom will have no second chance. And finally after all these centauries the faithful of Israel will receive their promised kingdom. And all nations will come up to worship the King, the Messiah, the One who sits on the throne of His father David. This passage is a good example of the fact that application can be drawn for believers of any period. While the warning and promise are directly given to the Jew, to watch and work in anticipation of the kingdom, the principle is just as valid for us. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith (Romans 12:6). All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines (1 Corinthians 12:11). But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it (Ephesians 4:7). Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms (1 Peter 4:10). What is important to realize, and this is as true for us as it was for Israel, it doesn t matter how many talents the Lord provides. What matters is, are we faithful with what He has given us to serve Him? To not use His gifts is a great sin. And for thousands of years this has been the case for much of Israel. It will also be true for the Jews who go through the tribulation. But those who are faithful with the gifts the Lord provides will go on into the kingdom. Those who don t serve go into judgment. Even here though the message isn t works related. The works, or lack there of, reflect a spirit of obedience and commitment to the Lord. In this section we have seen Israel s challenge and accountability leading up to the Second Coming. Next time, it s the Gentiles who become the focus of Jesus warnings. Conclusion: For Israel, at the Second Coming, there would be no second chances. Rejecting the Messiah will lead to judgment. Lack of obedience, shows a closed heart. And a closed 9 Wilkins, Michael J., The Expositor s Bible Commentary, Matthew Study Notes, Zondervan Publishing, Grand Rapids, MI, 1990 ) 723 (
heart will lead to immediate judgment, being taken away and not left behind to enter into the Millennium. That is the difference between what Christ is telling the disciples and the way it is now. The Holy Spirit strives with the hearts of the lost, and there is always the possibility of repentance and salvation until the grave. So here s an interesting question. What talents has the Lord given you? And He has. How do you use them for Him? Also, are concern isn t how much return we get on the Lord s investment, it is being faithful. Remember, the results are in His hands not ours. Let us live a life committed to God s glory and His service. Let us be busy for Him, watchful and working. In the harvest field now ripened There s a work for all to do; Hark! the voice of God is calling To the harvest calling, you. Does the place you re called to labor Seem so small and little known? It is great if God is in it, And He ll not forget His own. Little is much when God is in it, Labor not for wealth or fame; There s a crown, and you can win it, If you go in Jesus name. Little is much when God is in it, Labor not for wealth or fame; There s a crown, and you can win it, If you go in Jesus name. When the conflict here is ended Little is much when God is in it, And our race on earth is run, Labor not for wealth or fame; He will say, if we are faithful, There s a crown, and you can win it, Welcome home, My child, well done If you go in Jesus name. 10 10 Suffield, Kittie L., The Celebration Hymnal, Little Is Much When God Is in It, Word/Integrity, USA, 1997, #661 ) 724 (
Matthew Matthew 25:1-30 The Second Coming ~ Part 3 X The Coming of the Kingdom 19:1-25:46 C. Fifth Discourse: The Coming of the End of the Age 24:1-25:46 6. The Flood Verses 36-41 7. Four Parables Chapters 24:42-25:30 a. The Homeowner and the Thief Verses 42-44 b. The Good and Wicked Servants Verses 45-51 c. The Ten Virgins Chapter 25:1-13 d. The Talents Verses 14-30 Introduction: (John 14:1-3) c. The Ten Virgins: (Revelation 19:7-8; Luke 12:35-36; Romans 9:3-4)
d. The Talents: (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10) Conclusion: Personal Application: Examine your walk and, if you haven t already done so, identify the spiritual gift(s) God has given you. Meditate on how You can use them for Him. (Keep in mind you don t have to be able to label your gifts to use them.) Prayer for the Week: Lord, fill me with Your Spirit so I might use Your gifts for Your work. In Christ s name, amen.