A study on Matthew 25

 

A word from the Lord on May 30, 2021: The Holy Spirit reminds us of the consequences of leaving our first Love and returning to the ways of the world. (Rev 2:4-5)

D.P. Weary, 5-30-2021

On the morning of Sunday, 5-30-21 I asked the Holy Spirit if there was a word of the Lord from the scriptures that I should pay attention to today. I was led to read Matthew 25. This led to some interesting questions.

It was at this point that I asked the Holy Spirit for more revelation concerning my many questions. The Holy Spirit then directed me to Matthew 24.

Matthew 24

What we find in these scriptures are the signs of the times and the end of the age. (Mark 13:3–13; Luke 21:7–19)

In Matthew 24:3-14 the Holy Spirit gives us the signs of the times leading up to the final days before the Lord’s return. Great deceptions, wars, and rumors of wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places are the beginning of sorrows. We also call these the birth pangs of the sons of God, that day of the redemption of our bodies when the mortal puts on immortality (Rom 8:18-23; 1 Cor 15:54).

We are also told Mat 24:41-44 that there will be people working normally, then suddenly one will be taken and another left on this day of the redemption of our bodies because they did not know the hour of the Lord’s coming for them.

What is being born as a result of these birth pangs? What is being born is a new order of beings. As a corporate group of new beings, they are the bride of Christ, a new creation of God.  All creation is waiting for this revelation of the bride of Christ (Rom 8:19). This new being is one yet made up of many new beings in a unity that is like the unity of the Triune God. This unity is a unity of the Spirit where the God Head and the bride all share the same spirit, the Holy Spirit. This new being is one yet many persons just as God is one yet three persons, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Right now, there is only one of these new beings, the resurrected Lord Jesus. This new birth occurs when the born again, Spirit-filled believers in Jesus are suddenly given new, imperishable bodies like the body of the risen Lord Jesus (1 Cor 15:51-54). This occurs at the cry when the faithful virgins are called out to join the Lord in the air and they are taken to their wedding in heaven. 

These birth pangs of the bride of Christ will be times of troubles, being hated and persecuted and hated for being Christians, betrayals by others, false prophets and deception, lawlessness, and times when the love of many will grow cold causing a great falling away from the faith (Mat 13:21; Mar 4:17; Luk 8:13; 2 Thes 2:3). These will be difficult times but all of this trouble and lawlessness will be restrained until the bride is taken to heaven for her wedding (2 Thes 2:7).

After this catching away of the bride and the removal of the constraining force, the final days of the wrath of God and the release of the lawless one (the Antichrist) will commence.  These days will be days of the working of Satan, with all power, signs and lying wonders, and unrighteous deception and strong delusion among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thes 2:8-12). These will be times of testing for those that live on the earth and times of the wrath of God as He judges and brings His justice to the earth (Rev 3:10; 6:15-17).

We also learn in Mat 24:45-51 that the wise servant is the one that gives food in due season; the one that is using the talents God has given him and doing the master’s will. To these, the Lord makes rulers over all His goods (hyparchonta - things which one possess). But to the servant that says in his heart, “My master is delaying his coming, and begins to treat others badly and to take up the ways of the world, the Lord will come on a day when he is not looking for Him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will appoint him his portion with the hypocrites where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth (hell).

Now with this information let’s look at Matthew 25

[Mat 25:1 NKJV] "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

This parable is about God’s spiritual kingdom as it exists today in our world. It is about the bridegroom Jesus coming to take His betrothed to their wedding. This is about the rapture of the true Church.

Virgin (Parthenos) - a marriageable maiden; in a Christian sense, one who is considered spiritually pure.

[Mat 25:2 NKJV] "Now five of them were wise, and five [were] foolish.

This group of people was considered spiritually pure and potentially part of the bride of Jesus (virgins). They were all aware that at some point, the Lord was supposed to come for them and take them to where He is (Jn 14:1-3).  

Why were five of them considered foolish?

Who do these ten virgins represent in our world today?

About one-half of all people that call themselves Christians and at one time claimed that Jesus was their savior, the Lord considers “foolish”. The other half He considers “wise”.

[Mat 25:3 NKJV] "Those who [were] foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,”

The five foolish ones had lamps but they did not have any oil. This group of people is called “virgins” or spiritually pure, and they had “lamps” but no “oil”.

What does the lamp represent? What does the oil represent?

A lamp is a container for fuel that feeds a wick that burns and provides light in dark places. These foolish virgins had a vessel but no fuel or oil to burn for light.

[Mat 25:4 NKJV] "but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

The five wise virgins had plenty of oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Vessels (angeion) - a vessel, receptacle, a pail, a reservoir; a container.

What does the vessel represent?

Spiritually the vessels of these virgins were themselves. The oil or fuel that is burned to provide spiritual light in the darkness of the world is the Holy Spirit. Throughout scripture, oil is used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit (1 Sam 16:13; Ps 23:5; 89:21). The picture painted here is of some Christians full of the Holy Spirit, always prepared to be a light in a dark world. The foolish virgins had no fuel or Spirit to enable them to bring light into the darkness of the world.

[Mat 25:5 NKJV] "But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

Waiting for your wedding day can seem to be forever. Because the day Jesus is coming to take His bride to their wedding has seemed to be delayed excessively, many waiting have become tired, discouraged, and impatient, saying, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?” (2 Pet 3:4). And they all became drowsy and “fell asleep” regarding the timing and even the promise of the Lord’s coming for them.

[Mat 25:6 NKJV] "And at midnight a cry was [heard]: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'

What great event is this?

Then suddenly about midnight, there was a cry from an angel: Behold the bridegroom is coming; to out to meet him!”

This is the shout of the Lord, the cry from an archangel, and the blast of the trumpet calling all the dead in Christ to rise, then all who are in Christ and are alive to be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. This is the rapture of the true Church. (1 Thes 4:16-17; Jn 14:2-3)

[Mat 25:7 NKJV] "Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

At this midnight cry or call from heaven, all the virgins arose and lit their lamps. They were to go out somewhere to meet their bridegroom.

Where were they to go?

To meet the bridegroom in the air.

[Mat 25:8 NKJV] "And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us [some] of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

Now the lamps of the five foolish virgins were going out as they had no oil for them.

What was it that was really going out?

It was their “flame”. That burning zeal for, love for, trust in, and burning desire to be with the Lord. It was that “river of living water” (Jn 7:38) that was to flow out of them to bring light into a dark world, good news in a world filled with bad news, freedom from bondage, comfort, peace, healing, courage, hope. It was an indication of the true condition of their heart (Isa 61:1-3).

[Mat 25:9 NKJV] "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.'

What was the real reason that the five wise virgins did not or could not share their oil?

It seems that the “oil” was something they had to get for themselves.

True salvation is a condition of the heart that is “purchased” by freely giving oneself to the Lord as a bondservant (Rom 12:1). It is dying to self and living to and for God. Being filled up with the oil of the Holy Spirit is accomplished by asking for it and then using the gifts or “talents” the Holy Spirits imparts to be used to minister to others and build up the other servants of God for ministry (Acts 1:8, 8:15, 19:2-6; 1 Cor 12:1-31, 14:12; Eph 4:8; Heb 2:4). Another person can not give this to you.

[Mat 25:10 NKJV] "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.

Only those who were prepared with oil to fuel the fire in the hearts and lives were allowed to go to the wedding.

[Mat 25:11 NKJV] "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'

[Mat 25:12 NKJV] "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'

This is a harsh reality. Jesus tells the five foolish virgins that He does not know them. Within those that consider themselves to be Christians, even entire church congregations, there will be some, maybe even as many as one half, that the Lord will say, “I do not know you”. These may have knowledge of, but no relationship with the Lord. These are those that have no oil, no fuel, no power or authority, no Holy Spirit in their lives (2 Tim 3:1-7). These are those that will be left behind at the midnight call and the blast of the last trump (1 Thes 4:16; 1 Cor 15:52).

Why did they not have oil?

For some of these, they have heard the word but the devil comes and steals it from their hearts so that they will not believe and be saved at all. Others hear the word and receive it with joy, yet they do not have a firm root; they believe for a while, and in a time of temptation they fall away. For others who have heard, as they go on their way through life, troubles, worries, riches, and the pleasures of this life choke out the word and they bring no fruit to maturity. Because of these things, many so-called believers will fall back into the ways of the world, its riches, worries, and pleasures, and the “door” to the wedding of the Lamb will be closed to them. (Luk 8:11-15)

 

[Mat 25:13 NKJV] "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

There is a clear admonition here to be watching for, longing for, be ready for, and to respond at once to this “midnight call” when the trumpet will sound and true Christian will be caught up in the air to the Lord to be with Him for all eternity.

 

This next parable is another illustration of the possible fate of some of God’s servants (people).

[Mat 25:14 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.

After Calvary, the Lord Jesus departs for heaven, but He sent the Holy Spirit and His gifts to be distributed to His servants as He wills. (Acts 1:8, 8:15, 19:2-6; 1 Cor 12:1-31, 14:12; Eph 4:8; Heb 2:4). The Lord’s servants, filled and empowered with the Holy Spirit are to take care of His “goods” (things which one possesses).

[Mat 25:15 NKJV] "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.

God’s calling and His giftings are based on our unique individual abilities. They are perfectly matched to each individual. After Calvary, the Lord “goes on a long journey into heaven. But He did return in the spirit as the Holy Spirt to empower and give gifts of ministry and service (talents) to His Church.

[Mat 25:16 NKJV] "Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.

[Mat 25:17 NKJV] "And likewise he who [had received] two gained two more also.

[Mat 25:18 NKJV] "But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money.

[Mat 25:19 NKJV] "After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

After a long time, the Lord returns to see how His servants used His gifts.

[Mat 25:20 NKJV] "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.'

[Mat 25:21 NKJV] "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.'

[Mat 25:22 NKJV] "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.'

[Mat 25:23 NKJV] "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.'

[Mat 25:24 NKJV] "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.

This man did not really know the Lord or understand His ways. He saw The Lord as a fearful, hard man, ready to punish a servant who did not perform up to his standards.

[Mat 25:25 NKJV] 'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, [there] you have [what is] yours.'

[Mat 25:26 NKJV] "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.

The servant that hid his “talent” was told that the Lord gave him his “talent” to produce something for the Lord to reap and gather. This servant even knew that the Lord expected to reap and gather from the gift that He had given the servant. Yet the servant did not even try to invest or use the gift. This was the problem. The servant did not even try.

[Mat 25:27 NKJV] 'So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.

[Mat 25:28 NKJV] 'Therefore take the talent from him, and give [it] to him who has ten talents.

[Mat 25:29 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.

The servant that was given a “talent” but did not use it is considered wicked and lazy by the Lord and what he once had was taken away (Luk 8:18). His position as a servant of the master and all its benefits were taken away.

[Mat 25:30 NKJV] 'And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

The consequence was devastating. The servant was cast into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. He who was once considered a servant of the Lord is now found with all those who rejected the Lord and are now in hell.

[Mat 25:31 NKJV] "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.

[Mat 25:32 NKJV] "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides [his] sheep from the goats.

All of this dynamic is a part of Jesus coming in His glory and establishing His throne on the earth. The beginning of these end-time dynamics will be the catching away of the Church, the rapture. It will be a time of separating His sheep from the goats of the earth. The “goats” in the church as well as in the world will all be judged.

[Mat 25:33 NKJV] "And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.

[Mat 25:34 NKJV] "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

[Mat 25:35 NKJV] 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;

[Mat 25:36 NKJV] 'I [was] naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'

[Mat 25:37 NKJV] "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed [You], or thirsty and give [You] drink?

[Mat 25:38 NKJV] 'When did we see You a stranger and take [You] in, or naked and clothe [You]?

[Mat 25:39 NKJV] 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?'

[Mat 25:40 NKJV] "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did [it] to one of the least of these My brethren, you did [it] to Me.'

The Lord tells the faithful and good servants, the sheep at His right hand, that as they served the least of these “My brethren, they were serving Him. Now He calls them to inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world.

Who are these “least of these My brethren”? In some sense, all human beings are God’s children, His creations, and He certainly desires for His servants to minister to all men. But it is also true that all born-again believers are the Lord’s brothers and sisters.  All true Christians need to ensure that they always take care of their brothers and sisters in Christ no matter what their problems are, what their status in life is, or what their status in the body of believers is.

[Mat 25:41 NKJV] "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:

[Mat 25:42 NKJV] 'for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;

[Mat 25:43 NKJV] 'I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'

[Mat 25:44 NKJV] "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?'

[Mat 25:45 NKJV] "Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do [it] to one of the least of these, you did not do [it] to Me.'

[Mat 25:46 NKJV] "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."

The unfaithful servants are sent away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous and faithful servants into eternal life.

 

The bottom line of the message of Matthew 24 and 25

There will be people that consider themselves Christians, many who go to church even regularly and are even leaders, that will not be caught up to meet the Lord in the air at the rapture of the true Church. The reason is that they have no oil (the Holy Spirit) such that when the Lord comes for His Church, they will not be prepared and ready. This lack of oil (the Holy Spirit) will result in a falling away (2 Thes 2:3 - apostasia – to forsake) that will keep them from being taken up to the wedding of the King. His midnight call will take them by surprise and there will be no more time for them to seek and purchase more “oil”.

But those that hear the word with a good and virtuous heart, hold it firmly and produce good fruit with perseverance and endurance through the power and gifts of the indwelling Holy Spirit will be caught up with the Lord in the air and be escorted to a great wedding, the wedding of King Jesus to His bride, the victorious Church (Luke 8:11-15; 1 Jn 5:4; Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; 21:7).

May the Lord find you a good and worthy servant, serving Him by serving others.  May you be a light burning brightly with the oil of the Holy Spirit in this ever-darkening world through and in the power, authority, and love of the Holy Spirit, filling you to the fullest (Acts 1:8).  May a river of living water (the Holy Spirit) flow out of your innermost being to the world around you (Jn 7:38). May you shout for joy and rejoice at the sound of the midnight cry and the blast of the last trump! (Ps 132:16; 1 Cor 15:52; Rev 19:7-9)