3.13.16
In Matthew chapter 24 the disciples of Jesus ask him to tell them about the End of Days - the end of time. "How does this all end?" you can hear them asking. Jesus gives them some signs and indicators that the time is almost over when there are terrible wars and famine and things look their worst. You can imagine that the disciples may have been shaken by these descriptions. Following up this revelation of end time disaster, Jesus gives three parables to give better understanding of what to expect. He gives them, and us, Good News. There will be trials and tribulation, but with Jesus on their side and them on the side of Jesus, there is a way to make it through to the end.
#1) Be prepared.
"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."
In Matthew 25 verses 1 to 13 we read the story of ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. Five were prepared and had plenty of oil for their lamps, five were not prepared. When the time came for the groom to arrive, the five with enough oil followed the groom and his party into the wedding hall. The five without the extra oil were left out.
So what is this oil and where do we get it? Beginning in the Old Testament oil has been used to symbolize the Holy Spirit. In Exodus 30 we read about the anointing of Aaron as the first high priest of Israel. Oil was set aside for a special purpose: to pour over him and the other priests to set them apart as being "righteous", holy and ready to intercede between man and God. Acts 10:38 tells us that God anointed Jesus in preparation of his ministry as high priest when he sent the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove following the baptism of Jesus. Finally, we read in 1 John 2:20 that we are anointed by the Holy Spirit with truth. The oil we seek and require is the Holy Spirit, and he is a gift to those who believe in Jesus Christ.
#2) There will be an accounting of our blessings.
"For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."
The second parable Jesus shares is about a king who gave three men a varied amount of gold based on their ability before he goes on a journey. The first man receives five bags of gold (five talents in some translations); the second man receives two bags of gold; and the third man receives one. When the king returns he asks for an accounting of what the men had been given. The man with five made wise investment and returned ten. The man with two also did well and returned four. The man with one was afraid and he buried the gold and returned only what was given to him. The king praises the first two and condemns the third. In fact, he calls this last man a "wicked, lazy servant". He gives the one bag of gold from the lazy man and gives it to the man with ten. Thus the principle "Too much is given, much is expected" is born.
If you are like me, God has not given you a literal bag of gold. There are three biblical "bags of gold"
we all have been blessed with. First, there is the Word of God. The bible. Psalm 12:6 tells us that God's Word is like gold refined seven times. it is very pure and valuable. In today's world of online bibles, bible apps, and many other forms of his word (even the old print version), we have no excuse not to invest this bag of gold! Second, people are refined like gold (Zechariah 13:9). People are precious. They are way more precious that gold and most of us have been blessed with family, friends, co-workers, neighbors who are treasures to be invested into. Third, the term bag of gold is another way of saying "wages" from the original language. They represent payment or wages for a person's work. Proverbs 10:16 tells us that the wages of righteousness is life, and the wages of the wicked is sin and death." If you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ as your savior, then you have received these wages of righteousness. If we received no other treasure than salvation, then we are truly rich!
#3) There will be an accounting of our actions.
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
The third and final story Jesus tells is the separation of the sheep from the goats. He tells how he (the Son of Man) will separate those who were true followers and those who were not. His criteria? How did you treat others? Did you help those who needed food, shelter, clothing, visiting when sick or isolated in prison? If so, then welcome, the paradise prepared for you before the foundation of the earth is waiting. If not, then those will be condemned to outer darkness with gnashing of teeth and the punishment of regret for all eternity. It is important to remember that works do not achieve salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us that "it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast." So we are saved by grace through faith, but that faith must be an active living faith. In James 2 we read that "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Our faith must take action. Jesus said it like this in John 13:35 - " By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." The test is simple: love one another.
If we are filled by the Holy Spirit, investing the blessings we have been given by God, and showing our love one for another, then we will face the End of Time without fear! And that is Good News!
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