INTERESTING FACTS : "In times of stress and strain, people will vote."

 

(Author unknown.) Attributed to parliamentary debates, Great Britain, 1857. Unverified.

 

Daily Reading : MATTHEW 24 - 25

 

TEXT : Matthew  25:31 When 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:  25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:  25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.  25:34 Then 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:  25:35 For 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:  25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink  25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  25:40 And 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.  25:41 Then 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:  25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:  25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.  25:44 Then 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?  25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

 

THEME : Righteousness and Eternal Life

 

Matthew 24 

 

Christ foretells the destruction of the temple, Mat_24:1, Mat_24:2. His disciples inquire when and what shall be the sign of this destruction, Mat_24:3. Our Lord answers, and enumerates them - false Christs, Mat_24:5. Wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes, Mat_24:6-8. Persecution of his followers, Mat_24:9. Apostasy from the truth, Mat_24:10-13. General spread of the Gospel, Mat_24:14. He foretells the investment of the city by the Romans, Mat_24:15-18. The calamities of those times, Mat_24:19-22. Warns them against seduction by false prophets, Mat_24:23-26. The suddenness of these calamities, Mat_24:27, Mat_24:28. Total destruction of the Jewish polity, Mat_24:29-31. The whole illustrated by the parable of the fig-tree, Mat_24:32, Mat_24:33. The certainty of the event, though the time is concealed, Mat_24:34-36. Careless state of the people, Mat_24:37-41. The necessity of watchfulness and fidelity, illustrated by the parable of the two servants, one faithful, the other wicked, Mat_24:42-51This chapter contains a prediction of the utter destruction of the city and temple of Jerusalem, and the subversion of the whole political constitution of the Jews; and is one of the most valuable portions of the new covenant Scriptures, with respect to the evidence which it furnishes of the truth of Christianity. Every thing which our Lord foretold should come on the temple, city, and people of the Jews, has been fulfilled in the most correct and astonishing manner; and witnessed by a writer who was present during the whole, who was himself a Jew, and is acknowledged to be an historian of indisputable veracity in all those transactions which concern the destruction of Jerusalem. Without having designed it, he has written a commentary on our Lord's words, and shown how every tittle was punctually fulfilled, though he knew nothing of the Scripture which contained this remarkable prophecy. His account will be frequently referred to in the course of these notes; as also the admirable work of Bishop Newton on the prophecies.    (Adam Clarke)[1]

 

Matthew 25 

 

This chapter continues and concludes our Saviour's discourse, which began in the foregoing chapter, concerning his second coming and the end of the world. This was his farewell sermon of caution, as that, Joh_14:15, Joh_14:16, was of comfort to his disciples; and they had need of both in a world of so much temptation and trouble as this is. The application of that discourse, was, Watch therefore, and be ye also ready. Now, in prosecution of these serious awakening cautions, in this chapter we have three parables, the scope of which is the same - to quicken us all with the utmost care and diligence to get ready for Christ's second coming, which, in all his farewells to his church, mention was made of, as in that before he died (Joh_14:2), in that at his ascension (Act_1:11), and in that at the shutting up of the canon of the scriptures, Rev_22:20. Now it concerns us to prepare for Christ's coming;  I. That we may then be ready to attend upon him; and this is shown in the parable of the ten virgins (Mat_25:1-13).  II. That we may then be ready to give u our account to him; and this is shown in the parable of the three servants (v. 14-30).  III. That we may then be ready to receive from him our final sentence, and that it may be to eternal life; and this is shown in a more plain description of the process of the last judgment (v. 31-46). These are things of awful consideration, because of everlasting concern to every one of us.  (Matthew Henry)[2]

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "BE PREPARED FOR HIS COMING."

 

If you have a red lettering edition of the Bible, you will notice that Jesus discourse on the Mount of Olives takes in all of Matthew chapters 24 and 25.   When the Apostles asked the LORD when the destruction of the Temple would be, and what would be the signs of His coming, and the signs of the end of the world, Jesus answer is contained in these two chapters.  Therefore, the words of Jesus concern you because we are living in those days they questioned about.

 

It is interesting to note how many Christians enjoy reading the 24th chapter of Matthew because of the signs and wonders listed in that chapter by the LORD.  Certainly the signs mentioned by Jesus are important.  Moreover, we are seeing many of them today.  Just read a newspaper, or listen to a newscast, and you are in the 24th chapter of Matthew.  The times in which we live are both exciting and fearful.  There are constant changes going on in technology, nations, ethnic groups, science, and many other areas of life.  No doubt, the times in which you and I live are vastly different from those who lived before us.

 

Still, the 25th chapter of Matthew is largely ignored by the average Christian.  There is an element of astonishment in that fact.   Specifically, the 25th chapter of Matthew is bypassed for no good reason by many who read the Bible, or study the Scriptures.   Remember, the words of the LORD Jesus are always inspired, important, and vital to our relationship with Him.  This is even more important because of the season of history you are in and the signs of the times.  One would think if a Christian is interested in the 24th chapter of Matthew, he or she would also be concerned with the warnings and instructions of Jesus contained in chapter 25.  Strange enough, far too many people in the Church are ignoring these warnings and instructions found in Matthew chapter 25.  However, this may be done to their own detriment or destruction.

 

As previously mentioned, it is a universal problem to find workers in the local church.  People are busy and occupied with other matters - interests and curiosities of limited or questionable value.  Statistically, Pastors are dropping out of the ministry at an unprecedented rate, as Bible studies and prayer meetings are sparsely attended.  Again, to employ workers in the nursery or with children is nearly impossible.  Worse yet, in America we are closing more Churches each month then we are opening.  Surely this is a sign of the times as well.

 

To the point, there must be a renewed interest in the 25th chapter of Matthew.  The reason is obvious.  You and I will give an account to Jesus.  Remember, He is the Judge of the living and the dead, and if you profess to be a follower, disciple, a born again Christian - or whatever other designation is used to describe a Christian, then you must give serious consideration to the words of Jesus in chapter 25.  In other words, finding a fascination with the signs of the times is counterproductive if you are going to ignore the commands of Jesus. The night is far spent.  The Day is at hand.  The return of the LORD Jesus Christ is near.  Therefore, you must keep the oil in your lamp, be a good steward of your gifts and talents, and keep looking upward.  You must fix your eyes on eternity.

 

Essentially, the three parables of Jesus in Matthew 25 are the same.  At least they are the same in point of intent or meaning.  The subject of all three parables is ministry.  The objective found in Jesus' teaching is that his followers should be working when He arrives at His Second Coming.  Jesus once asked the question - "when the son of man comes back will He find faith on the earth?" This may seem rhetorical, and perhaps it is.  Yet, Jesus makes the point that when He arrives many who profess to be Christians will be found not walking properly or working diligently as they should.  Keep this in mind, Jesus never accepted excuses.  People may offer them, but Jesus is not willing to receive them.  Know this as well - in life, people do as they please.  Therefore, you must remember whatever you do, if it is not fate or destiny - in other words, if it is not something that is beyond your control - is a choice.  This is a fact of life.  Therefore, you must make your choices wisely.  This is what the psalmist meant when he said -"teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

 

When you read the Book of Revelation you see Jesus taking issue with five of the seven churches addressed.  Specifically, Jesus warns the Ephesian Church to return to their first love.  Can this be you?  If so, what are you prepared to do in light of the evidence comparing Matthew chapter 24 and today's news? Do as Jesus commands - go back and do the first works.   Return to your beginning and start loving the LORD all over again.  Start fresh, and love Him with all your heart, soul, and mind.   Love the brethren as well.  Keep in mind love is seen and recognized primarily, by loving the brethren in deeds rather than mere words.

 

Surely Jesus is coming soon, and the best way to be prepared is to have a clear conscience and peace your heart, seeking the LORD while He may be found.  The time will come that He will no longer be found.  Even so, come LORD Jesus.