Matthew 25 - Parable of The Ten Virgins and Talents
These ten virgins would represent ten Christians, that would be attending the wedding. Remember that we are to remain spiritual virgins when Christ returns as the bridegroom.
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Ten virgins: These would represent (ten Christians), that would be attending the wedding. Remember that we are to remain spiritual virgins when Christ returns as the bridegroom.
2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Lets see what the wise ones did and see what the foolish ones did. Remember that the first step to wisdom is to revere and obey the Lord. Not some man.
3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: A Christian is to reflect the light of Jesus Christ. Oil used here is (Elahyon) or anointing oil. Representing God's anointing, or the Word of God. (They were lacking the truth).
4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. The wise ones took the oil, Gods anointing, or the Word of God that they knew very well. (They were prepared with truth).
5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. They slept and got a little sidetracked from what was going on. Just like can happen to us with false teaching and traditions of men. (Stay focused on the truth).
6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. This would be in the seventh trump hour, at the return of Christ in the second advent. (Revelation 16:15).
7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The wise ones knew who Christ was and were prepared at His return. "They knew the truth in the word and were not deceived." (Luke 12:35).
8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. The foolish ones had no light in them because they were biblically illiterate. (No truth, just traditions of men and false teachings). They did not know the real Christ from the false Christ who comes first.
9But 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. Now remember from verse six that we are talking about 12:00 midnight. It is hard to buy lamp oil at this time in those days. They blew it and were to late, just as you can't buy Gods Word either. You either learn the truth or not, and the truth is given to you by God, not some man or woman.
10And 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. Some people wait all their lives before coming to the truth, some don't get it at all. But, its to late now for those who were not ready for His return. (They missed the wedding and the door was shut)! What side of the door will you be on?
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. They begged to get in, but it was to late.
12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. It is to late, I don't even know you! These are the ones who were deceived by the antichrist who comes first. Now they want to be part of the true Christ. To late fool!
13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Be prepared, for you should know the season of His return, but we do not know the exact day or hour. (Matthew 24:42-44, Mark 13:33-37). Remember what Christ said back in Matthew 24 about those who will be saved? But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13). It amazes me how so many pastors quote this scripture and still believe in the rapture. "Those enduring to the end shall be saved." Notice it says that those who hang in there till the end will be saved. That means till the return of Christ, at the second advent. (Don't try to take a shortcut out of here with some false teachings like the rapture). Remember that antichrist comes first and will deceive many, pretending that he is Christ.
14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. The man called his servants together and gave them each some money for them to invest while he was gone. We are to be servants of Christ; He gives us the wisdom to study and understand the word through the Holy Spirit. We are to invest in the knowledge He has given us by sharing the truth with others. Everyone according to the gifts given to us, so the word will spread and multiply. (Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11). In the end, there will be rewards for serving Him. (Colossians 3:24).
15And 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. He gave the servants an amount that they could be responsible for according to their ability to earn. Just as God gives us truth in the Word according to our ability to use it and share it. (Make it grow if you will), God is always fair and He knows your limitations, do you?
16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. This servant worked and traded until he doubled the money.
17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. This servant also worked and traded until he doubled his money, even though it was less than the first servant, he did the best he could with what he had.
18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. This servant hid the money and made no profit at all. (Kind of like hiding a truth of the Word within yourself). Never sharing the truth with others so it would spread and multiply.
19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. The lord called the servants together to account for his money.
20And 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. Invested well and doubled his money.
21His 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. Well done the master said. Now I can trust you with more responsibilities.
22He 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. This servant doubled his money also.
23His 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. Well done again the master replies. I can trust you also with more responsibilities. Notice He praises this servant the same as the one with the more money. The exact same blessing. Why? Because our Lord is always 100% fair. God will only expect from you what He gives you and will never give you anymore than you can handle. God does not play favorites. Never think that you are not doing enough for God by comparing yourself to others. Do your best with what the Lord has blessed you with and the Lord will be pleased. This same parable can apply to supporting a church or ministry. Remember the story of the poor widow? (Mark 12:41-44).
24Then 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: Our Heavenly Father is very strict, but we should be able to cut it, if we call ourselves Christians. Being a Christian is not always easy and takes a lot of work to learn the truth in the word. You will be rejected by many and may not be the most popular person around. But, the Holy Spirit will see you through if you make the effort.
25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. This servant produced nothing. Afraid to take a chance and share a truth of God's Word. Just kept it for himself, and would not share it with others. (Sometimes people are ashamed to share a truth in Gods Word because they fear embarrassment and rejection from others). Let me ask you this? Would you rather be rejected by man, or by God? If you are ashamed of your faith in Jesus Christ, the Heavenly Father will be ashamed of you when it counts.
26His 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: Wicked lazy servant. This man did nothing to increase what was given to him. (Totally useless)! God expects some return on what He gives us.
27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. You could have at least put the money into a bank so I could have gained a little interest. God at least expects us to plant a seed if not a full truth, and He will take it from their. This servant did not even do that.
28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. Give it to someone who will do something with it. If you do not care anything about Gods Word, He will keep the truth from you. "Its called the spirit of slumber." (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. (Romans 11:8).
29For 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. Every man or woman who uses what they are given shall be given more, and have abundance. But, those who are unfaithful, even the little responsibilities shall be taken from them and given to another. (Mark 4:25, Luke 8:18, John 15:2). "Do not waste the gifts given to you by God."
30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Remember that the subject here is still the return of Christ. Make sure you are doing God's will and work at His return. "Do not be deceived." Stay away from the false teachings and traditions of men. Use the gifts God has given you, and be a faithful servant with what He has blessed you with. Those who are useless will be cast into outer darkness with the hypocrites. (Matthew 24:51).
31When 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: When the Messiah comes in His glory and sits upon His throne at the second advent. Those remaining will receive their reward according to his works. (Matthew 16:27).
32And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: This word nations here is "Ethnos" Strong's #1484 in the Greek, meaning non-Jewish or the Gentile people.
33And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Make note that the sheep are on the right, as Christ sits on the right hand of God, and the goats are on the left. The sheep are the good people (believers), and the goats (strong's G2055 "eriphion" symbolically wicked person), represent the wicked people or non-believers. (This has nothing to do with the politics of conservative or liberal like many try to make it). There are good and bad people in both parties, so don't listen to a bunch of idiots saying that one party is better than the other.
34Then 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: The sheep, or those on the right will enter into the Kingdom of God. Those who hear the word of God and keep it. (Luke 11:28). The Heavenly Father had the plan right from the beginning. Those who overcome will inherit all things. (Revelation 21:7). i.e. Anyone who comes to the truth as a true believer no matter who he or she is.
35For 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: I was hungry and you fed me. (Fed Me the truth of God's Word). I was thirsty and you gave me water. (The living water of Christ that quenches all thirst). I was a stranger and you took me in your home. (Gave me that place of rest within your heart).
36Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Naked and you clothed me. (Clothed Me with the Gospel Armor of God). Sick and in prison, and you visited me. (Sick and in bondage to false teachings, church doctrine, and traditions of men). "Now the truth will set you free." (John 8:32).
37Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? The righteous wanted to know when they did all this for Christ. Here is how He replies.
40And 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. When you did any of these things to my brothers or to the lost, you were doing it to me. We are all one family. (Ephesians 5:30). When you give a person a truth, or plant a good seed for the Heavenly Father to make grow, we are pleasing to Him and we will receive the blessings He has promised. (Hebrews 6:10).
41Then 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: Here we have those on of the left side. (Non-believers). Away with you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. These are the ones who will not obey God. Keep in mind that this is for the ones after the millennium. (The thousand year reign and teachings with Christ). Those who will all have the chance to learn the truth, but will still reject the Word of God.
42For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: Speaking of those who had the knowledge of truth, but would not share it.
43I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Pushed me aside and did not care, leaving me imprisoned and in bondage to the world.
44Then 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? When did we see these things of need? So busy with making money and things of the world that they never have time for any one or any thing else.
45Then 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. When you refused to help the least of these lost ones, you were refusing to help me.
46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. The wicked shall go away into eternal punishment (Revelation 20:15, 21:18), but the righteous into everlasting life. (John 3:36, 5:29).
Keep the faith,
Barton
