Matthew 24 & 25
“The kingdom of heaven is like…” Jesus used this phrase before a number of parables, but he spoke Matthew 25 right after sharing what signs we would see just before the end times came (in Matthew 24). Both parables in Matthew 25 strongly show that Jesus return would be seem like it will not happen for quite some time but then happens “all of a sudden” and some will not be prepared. Matthew 24:32-33 shows us that just as we observe when a fig tree puts out young shoots and leaves in the spring as a sign that we know summer is soon to follow, we should observe what He said will happen in the world (Matthew 24:4-31 all taken together) as being the sign that the age is ending and His return is imminent.
Some will be prepared for that return and some will not. A good example of this is the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Jesus shared that ten women were ready to join in a formal wedding feast. Each attendee would wear a special wedding garment (Matthew 22:11-14), would carry an invitation tablet or card, and a lamp or torch. Great efforts were made to have an abundance of light at formal Oriental weddings which always took place at night (pg. 378-379, #708, Bible Manners and Customs). They would then be admitted to the wedding feast when the wedding procession arrived, the door would be shut and no one would be allowed to enter after that. These ladies appear to be all prepared. They waited at night with their oil lamps burning. It seemed that it took the bridegroom a long time, but finally they could hear the procession coming. Six of the ladies realized that their lamps were almost out and since they did not come fully prepared with extra oil they had to go buy more. While they were doing this the bridegroom came and the door to the wedding was shut. They were shut out of the wedding.
Jesus next words right after sharing this parable were, “Watch therefore (give strict attention and be cautious and active), for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come” (Matthew 25:13 AMP). I love how the Amplified Bible states “be cautious and active”. All around us we hear of wars and rumors of wars. Take into account the revolts in a number of different Muslim countries within this past year, both in the Middle East and Asia. There are earthquakes and famines in place after place. Matthew 24 states that all this is but the “beginning” of those last days. Jesus warned us with the parable of the fig tree that just as we know summer is near by observing the new spring growth on the fig tree, we will see (wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, false prophets, lawlessness, iniquity, and the abomination of desolation Daniel spoke of [Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11]) all considered together and we will know that He is near, “at the very doors.” It is time to get ready for His coming.
We are living in the last generation. We are in the beginning of the end. It is time to be active in what He has called us to do. We want to be ready, with enough oil in our lamps to shine bright so that when our Bridegroom comes we will hear him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of thy lord.”
