Lesson Six (Chapter 25)
Preparation Parables
“Let your
garments always be white, and let your head lack no oil.”
Ecclesiastes
9:8
“I must work
the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no
one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 9:4-5
Introduction
- Last week we looked thematically at Matthew 24. We focused on the “sun and moon to darkness” phrases in other prophetic passages to more accurately fix the period that Yeshua is addressing in answering the questions regarding the coming of His Kingdom and the end of the age.
- We discovered that the “sun and moon to darkness” passages all refer to the “Day of the L-rd”. The Day of the L-rd was seen as a day of distress, where against all nations, G-d comes to the aid of Israel and rescues her – and then judges the nations and establishes His throne in Jerusalem with King Messiah reigning.
- The parables of chapter 24 are tied to chapter 25’s parables. All of them are contextually a part of the “Olivet Discourse” and relate to Yeshua’ answer to the questions regarding the timing of Him coming to establish His Kingdom, and the end of the age.
Two Questions – 4 Parables – 2 Parabolic References
- The parables of Matthew 24 and 25 are part of the answer to the talmidim’s 2 questions:
- Matt 24:3:
- The sign of Your coming?
- The end of the age?
- Traditional approaches to these parables has most often correctly been cast as part of Yeshua’ answer to these questions. However, often there are treated allegorically, arriving often at bizarre and contradictory eschatological theologies. Example: “thief in the night” and the “stealing in the night” speaking allegorically to the rapture of believers. This turns the parable on its head – where the entity caught unawares is the Enemy and the world. Instead, Yeshua tells us what the parable means to His talmidim.. BE READY!
Parable of the Thief in the Night
- Matt 24:42-44.
- Master of the house = talmidim
- Thief = Yeshua
- The hour the Thief would come = Day and hour He would return
- Singular point = Stay prepared, you do not know when your Master will come.
Parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Servants
- Matt 24:45-51.
- Master of the House = Yeshua
- Faithful and wise servant = A talmid who stays busy with the assigned tasks, no matter how long the Master tarries.
- The evil servant = Those who stray from staying with the assigned tasks when the Master tarries.
- Reward for the faithful = A place in the Kingdom.
- Punishment for the evil = Gehennah.
- Singular point = Stay busy with the tasks the Master has left to you, although He may tarry, you do not know when He will return.
Parable of the Ten Virgins
- Matt 25:1-13.
- Bridegroom = Yeshua
- Wedding Feast = The Wedding Feast of the Lamb
- Lamp oil = Obedience, deeds
- Five wise virgins = Talmidim who did not stray from Torah during the Master’s delay.
- Five foolish virgins = Those whose actions to did not match their stated allegiance.
- Singular point = Keep watch by obeying G-d daily… because you do not know the day or hour.
- Compare to Matt 7:22-23.
Parable of the Talents
- Matt 25:14-30
- Master traveling = Yeshua
- Talents = The assigned tasks while the Master is gone.
- Servant with five talents = Talmid who invests all his/her resources into the Kingdom, with obedience.
- Servant with two talents = Talmid who invests all his/her resources (albeit less to start with) into the Kingdom, with obedience.
- Servant with one talent = One who invests nothing into the Kingdom – who does not act in the knowledge that G-d rewards (and punishes).
- Reward = A place in the Kingdom.
- Punishment = Gehennah.
- Singular point = To the best of your ability, prepare for the Kingdom now, by investing all your resources in obedience and the walk of faith.
Reference to Sheep and Goats
- Matt 25:31-46.
- Shepherd = Yeshua
- Mixed flock = All mankind
- Sheep = Righteous
- Goats = Wicked
- Singular point = Appearances do not count. Not everyone who seems like a “sheep” is one.
Allusion to the Disguised King
- Matt 25:31-46.
- King = Yeshua
- Those on His right = Bestowed acts of chasidim (mercy, lovingkindness)
- Those on His left = Ignored those in need.
- Least of His brothers = the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and in prison.
- Reward = A place in the Kingdom
- Punishment = Gehennah and eternal punishment
The Day of Preparation
- The weekly Shabbat and the Shabbatot of the Moedim [feasts] have a “day of preparation” the day before. There is a teaching in this regarding these parables of Yeshua return. These shabbatot [rest days] begin at sundown. There is no stopping their beginning – all preparation and “work” must be completed prior to their commencement – because when they start, the time for work is over.
- Hebrews 4:1-11: The time for preparation is now, while the Master is away. We should be busy honoring Him and reflecting His character and life now… while we can “work”. The time for “work” comes during the day of preparation. Now is the day of preparation. We must be diligent [spoudazo = endeavor, work hard] to enter His rest. That means we should work hard, while we can – not in order to enter rest, but because we have been called to enter rest we know the time for labor is now.
Summary
- Yeshua’ parables of Matthew 24 and 25 are not meant to frighten, but they are, like all parables meant to motivate. We should be motivated to be dressed for the Wedding. We should be motivated to be prepared… and live lives of perpetual repentance, always turning BACK to G-d and to His ancient paths.
- His ways are better, our “work” here is satisfying because it brings glory to Him Whom we love.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16