The Gospel According to Matthew
Copyright© 2006, Darroll Evans

 

Chapter 25

 

The parable of the ten virgins is taught in all Churches.

 

Matthew 25:1-12

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

 

Jesus taught that the kingdom of heaven is comparable to ten virgins, or bride’s attendants at a wedding. Each took their lamp, and went to meet the groom.

 

As the story goes, five were foolish, and five were wise.

 

The five foolish virgins did not take extra oil for their lamps.  But the wise did bring extra oil---just in case.

 

The groom did not show up at the time when they assumed he would.  So, they all, foolish and wise, took naps.

 

At midnight, at the last hour, while they slept, the groom’s messenger announced his coming.

 

“Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go out to meet him.”

 

It was a public announcement!  The groom did not sneak into town.

 

All the virgins woke up and began to trim their lamps.  It was at that point that half of the virgins realized that they had a problem.  Some say that we see either problems or opportunities, but in this case it was definitely a problem.

 

For many, the realization of Christ will come at a very inconvenient time.

 

The foolish virgins were ill-prepared for the late coming. They pleaded with the wise virgins, “Give us of your oil, because our lamps are gone out.”

 

Think about that! Their oil ran out.  And, they were just asking for a friendly gesture.  Many Christians have been told that we must share all we have, even if it means that we starve or come up short.

 

However, the five wise virgins replied, “Absolutely not!  Go get some more yourself.”

 

While they were scrambling to get “oil,” the groom came. He went into the wedding feast and the door to the party was closed.  When the five foolish ones returned they realized their predicament.

 

Christians are to share the “extra” we have.  However, if what we have is just enough to get us through, that is another matter.  Christ Jesus recognized that in this teaching.

 

When they got oil, it was too late. The foolish virgins pleaded with the keeper of the door to open it so they could come in.  The keeper responded, “Truthfully, I say, I do not know you.”  They were invited, but because they would not prepare, they were excluded.

 

Here is the point!  The phrase, “Truthfully, I say, I do not know you” takes this parable out of the life of all Christians!  No Christian will hear those words from our Lord and Savior!

 

Matthew 25:13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

 

Jesus again warned His disciples to be vigilant.

 

Then, He told another parable.

 

Matthew 25:14-30

14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

Jesus told this parable about a man who took a trip.  He left his monetary assets in the hands of his servants.   The man divided responsibility among his servants. 

 

One servant received five “talents” (Gr. talenta-talenta/approximately 5,000 gold coins).  To another, he gave two “talents.” And to a third he gave one “talent.”  The man told them to invest what he gave them.

 

The servant who was given 5,000 gold coins invested them and doubled his investment.  The one to whom was given 2,000 gold coins did the same.  However, the last servant hid his investment and gained nothing.  He did not lose, but he also did not gain.

 

Keep in mind that what they were given belonged to the Master! It was never their personal possession.

 

After a while, the Master returned to settle the accounts, to receive an accounting of their responsibilities.

 

Each servant returned the Master’s money and the gained income, except the last.  He just returned the investment funds.  There was no gained income, and no loss.

 

The reason he did not have any gained income was because he did not follow the Master’s instructions. He was told to invest what was given to him and he did not do it.

 

The Master congratulated the first two and rewarded each appropriately.

 

The third servant lived in fear and worked in accordance with his fear. Fear causes us to do things that are not in our best interest, nor in the best interest of the Kingdom of God.

 

The master asked him, “Why didn’t you just put the money in the bank and earn a little interest?”  Fear was the only answer!

 

Do you use what has been given to you, or do you hide it in fear of being embarrassed?

 

Again, the issue with the last of the three servants was obedience. Are you obedient? If you are led by the Spirit, you are obedient!

 

Here is the point!  The phrase, “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” takes this verse out of Christianity!  No Christian will be thrown in outer darkness!

 

Now, Jesus goes to one of the most misunderstood parables in the entire Bible.

 

Matthew 25:31-45

31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

 

This parable concerns Christ coming “in His glory.”  All his angels will be with Him.  He will be shown sitting on His throne. This parable has been used to beat-up on Christians when they do not give enough money, goods, and services to heathen.  I will explain that in a few minutes.

 

It is at that time that all nations (Gr. ethnee-eqnh), all ethnic groups will be gathered before Him, including the Christian race. This does not refer to human nationalities! Instead, the reference is to spiritual divisions!

 

Christ will separate them.  Some will be considered sheep while others will be considered goats.  The sheep, Christians, will be placed on His right, signifying their special place in His Kingdom.  The goats, unbelievers, will be placed on His left, signifying their disobedience.

 

Most look at this scene and see the world’s nations and how they have treated Israel.  That is nice, but wrong!

 

We should respect Israel, but none will be judged according to the acknowledgment of Israel.  In fact, under the current conditions, most Jews will be among the goats.  All people, including Israelites, shall be judged in accordance to our acknowledgement of Christ Jesus!

 

Now, here is a fact that few understand.  There are only two “nations” on earth!  There are believers and there are non-believers!

 

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature (creation).

 

Phil 3:20 For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

 

“Christian” is a new ethnic creation.  Outward appearances do not count.  God looks on the heart!  He rewards according to what is in our hearts.

 

In this separation, Christ will say, “Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation (Gr. katabolees-katabolhV) of the world (Gr. kosmou-kosmou).”

 

Here is the point!  No Christians will be told, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire!”  That is not part of the Christian inheritance!

 

The three parables spoken here were not meant to be applied to Christians!

 

Then Jesus will explain, “I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink: I was a stranger to you, and yet you took me in.  I was naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you came to visit me, I was in prison, and you came to me.”

 

The sheep will ask, “When did we do all that?” Many take the bogus Mother Teresa view of this section of Scripture! The fact is that to be understood this must be viewed from a spiritual point and not just through physical eyes!

 

“I was hungry, and you gave me food. You brought me the bread of life in telling me about Christ Jesus!  I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. You brought me the water of life, the Holy Spirit by teaching me the truth of God’s grace! I was a stranger to you, and yet you took me in. You brought me into the house of God through His Word, our Lord, Christ Jesus! I was naked, and you clothed me. You helped cloth me with the righteousness of Christ Jesus through teaching me the Scriptures! I was sick, and you came to visit me. You brought me the only Healer Who can heal sin, Christ Jesus! I was in prison, and you came to me. You stood at the door of the prison of sin and spoke liberty in Christ to me!

 

And Christ will respond, “Since you did it to just one of my brothers, ye did it to me.”

 

Who are His brothers?

 

Matt 12:48-50

48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

 

Those who do not follow or respect Jesus are not His brothers!  The Bible NEVER refers to the lost as “brothers!”

 

This parable is not a statement of universal brotherhood, but is has been abuse as such by an unrepentant generation.

 

Chapter 25 of Matthew should not be used to establish prison ministries, unless Christians are thrown into prison for the sake of Christ.

 

Social criminals are not jailed for the sake of Christ!

 

Understand:  Prison ministries are important,---BUT---unrepentant social criminals are not our brothers nor are they God’s children.  They are just criminals!

 

However, we should present the gospel to each and every unrepentant person, because we do not know who God will choose and use in His plan of redemption!

 

Those on Jesus’ left shall be told, “Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting (Gr. aioonion-aiwnion/age-long) fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Gr. angelois-angeloiV/messengers).  I was hungry, and you did not feed me. I was thirsty, and you did not give me anything to drink. I was a stranger, and you did not take me in. I was naked, and you did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you visited me not.”

 

They shall ask, “When did we fail to do all that?”

 

Christ shall tell them, “You did not do it to one of the least of these, so you did not do it to Me.”

 

People who do not accept Christ and His adopted brothers and sister shall pay a price!

 

Those on the left, saw people hungering and thirsting after righteousness and did not tell them about Christ.  They saw those that were not members of the adopted family of God and failed to bring them the Good News. The goats did not tell others how to be clothed in righteousness.  The saw sin-sick people bound by trespasses and sin and completely failed in the mission to the lost.

 

This parable has nothing to do with physical food or drink!

 

A non-evangelical Church may be many things, but a Church of the Living God is not one of those things!

 

When Christ said, “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.  He was speaking about help given to believers, not to heathen! The universality of the brotherhood of man is a LIE!  It is a satanic teaching meant to cast guilt on weak Christians!

 

Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

 

This verse, the words of Christ, is misunderstood.  Both words “everlasting” (Gr. aioonion-aiwnion/age-long). and “eternal” (Gr. aioonion-aiwnion/age-long) come from the same Greek word.  The same identical word is used in both cases. That word speaks of an age.  It does NOT indicate eternity!

 

So what is indicated here?

 

This verse also does not point to identical periods of time.  Punishment (Gr. kolasin-kolasin) indicates an age of pruning.  In fact, the Greek word means to prune. 

 

Why do we prune plants?

 

We prune to clear away anything that may inhibit their health and ability to properly grow. Pruning is not a punishment.

 

Speaking of pruning, do you think that my roses look forward to being pruned?  I doubt it!

 

All who do not acknowledge Christ in this life will be pruned at the proper time in the next life.

 

“Eternal” or age-long life also points to a time that is limited.  But, please do not look at it in the temporal sense.

 

The word eternal speaks of something with no beginning and no end. Since we must be “born again” and thereby by have a new beginning, we will never have “eternal” life.  But, will have life from the beginning of our rebirth.

 

In reference to humanity, everlasting punishment is limited by its beginning and end, and our “life eternal” is limited by its beginning. 

 

Chapter 26
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