In Christ’s last teaching to His disciples, in what is now called the Olivet Discourse, He still told them three parables. His own chosen followers. Those that for the most part were most loyal to Him. Even though the next day one would betray Him and a few weeks later (just over 40 days) one would seek to usurp Him on earth by making Christ’s remaining followers to break one of His commandments, (that being not to pray where others can see them praying [Matthew 6:5-6]) and then make them choose a replacement for the betrayer with lots. The use of lots being a sin as well. Thus, introducing religion into the Christian belief. (Acts 1:12-26)
The first parable.
Matthew 24:32-35 NKJV – “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
“All these things” People standing on the dais and in pulpits stating they speak of and for Christ, yet they teach opposite the teachings found within the Word of God. When you hear of wars and rumor of wars. When you see races speak in hatred of other races and nation belittle other nations. When you see famine, plagues and earthquakes all over the world. When you see those that seek to follow Christ are insulted, attacked, imprisoned and killed. When you see sins that were once hidden proudly parade in the light. All the while the True Gospel is being preached unto the world.
These are what the parable of the fig tree is referring to. Therefore, we know for a fact per Christ Himself that within one generation He will return. It has been documented that one generation is 33 years. However, these signs have been occurring already for over twenty years. So, we are quickly approaching His return. Included in this time must be the seven-year period of the tribulation, which He also slightly describes, that precedes His return.
The second parable.
Matthew 25:1-13 NKJV – “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
This is directed at those that profess to being follower of Christ: the “virgins.” Two groups are identified. The wise and the foolish. It also makes it very clear that all slumber, which fits the behavior of those within the Christian community. Why I say this is the fact that those that sin willfully parade their sins for all the world to see. This is due to Christians not pursuing their teachings and making those that sin run back into the darkness if not repenting outright.
Then the coming of the “midnight cry,” which states clearly that the “Bridegroom is coming; go out to meet Him!” The midnight cry has occurred on September 11th just after midnight in Israel, otherwise known as September 10th. The cry caused the foolish virgins or bridesmaids to return to seeking after Christ. The wise virgins told them to seek after their lack of oil from the merchants. The merchants by the way are the buildings called “churches.” Because they sell salvation not give it freely, nor show those seeking after salvation how to truly learn the Word of God. These foolish virgins will be left behind when the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, does return. Nearly all will most likely fully abandon their salvation at that time.
Now we come to the last parable:
Matthew 25:14-30 NKJV – “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The core of this parable is not to hide your salvation. But to go out into the world and share it. Bring others into the fold. Those that are loyal to Christ will be rewarded in the time to come. As for those that hide their salvation and refuse to spread the Word of God. Their fate is clearly shown:
Matthew 25:29-30 NKJV – ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
To those that hide their salvation and refuse to share it. They have their salvation striped from them and they are cast “into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
As said these three parables were aimed at those that are True Disciples of Christ. Within the last two we see where those that are shown as special to Christ can fall away to damnation. This is all due to free-will. People make their own decisions and choices. Their actions either lead them toward Christ and eternal life or toward darkness and eternal damnation.
What is most important now is to keep being the watchmen on the parapets. Shouting out to those within the walls that the soon return of Jesus Christ is very near. Not years away, but months away if not weeks or even days away.
Hate is on the increase between races. All fueled by those that think they have the right to dominate and control others. Some from a political viewpoint. Others from a religious viewpoint. All because they believe they are smarter, wiser, and know more than those they see as lesser than them.
However, those that are truly Christian teach and follow this:
Matthew 22:37-40 NKJV – Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
This means God must be first in all we do. Then to treat all others as we ourselves wish to be treated. This is accomplished by following the commandments not removed by the cross, for even Christ made it clear that these two commandments are the core of “all the Law and the Prophets.”
dreamwalker1960 