Matthew

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
Mat 25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
Mat 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

Many people believe that the oil represents the baptism in the Holy Spirit. However, I disagree somewhat. There are some of us who once were baptized in the Holy Spirit that may not be living as we should.
I'm not talking here of trusting in works to save but I'm talking of what Paul refers to as "Walking in the Spirit." Oil can leak out and it needs replenished. We need to be filled with the spirit and walk in the
spirit occupying until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many would disagree and say that we need to just be "in Christ" at His coming. I would agree but to be "in Christ" is not passive but active. We cannot trust in a decision we made years ago and be not
actively walking in the love of God today and expect to be ready for His coming. Its not that we were saved and filled with the spirit 10 years ago but how is our walk today? Have we allowed our oil to run
out without replenishing the supply? Have we allowed the root of bitterness or hatred to enter into our souls and crush the spirit baptism that we once had? Do we love the words of Jesus or do we avoid the
passages that tell us we are not living according to His word.

Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments," and then He and the Father comes to make their abode within us. That is done by way of the Holy Spirit. Keeping His word is part of being filled with
the Spirit.

Jesus said also, "Why call me Lord Lord and do not the words that I say?"
Being in Christ is life not being dead spiritually trusting in past decisions we made for Christ in a moment of an emotional response to an altar call. That is only the beginning. In a marriage one does not get
married and then ignore their spouse, doing their own thing for years. That would not truly be a marriage. Instead they are to become one and live together, do things together and have continual fellowship.
It is the same thing in our walk with Christ. It is active, not passive.

Right now, May 2010. The Lord has not yet come. He is tarrying. We are awaiting His coming similar to the 10 virgins. All of them were virgins but only 5 were ready for the coming of the bridegroom. As
we study further in this chapter, we can easily see what makes the difference between a wise and foolish virgin.

Mat 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Mat 25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

They once had the light or oil in their lamps but they had been careless and allowed it to run dry like a well that has no water. This shows that they were believers and once were filled with the spirit but they
were no longer living like they believed. This refutes the doctrine of being once saved, always saved.

Mat 25:9 But 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.

We cannot give away our own light or our own spiritual walk to someone else. They must go to the source and receive for themselves. We can't repent of sin or receive the Holy Spirit on behalf of another
person. We can pray for them, pray with them, and teach them the word but we can't accept Christ or receive the Holy Spirit for them. They must do this themselves.

Mat 25:10 And 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.
Mat 25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
Mat 25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Mat 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Here are some hints as to how we can know that we are ready:

2Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

When we love His appearing, that is one sign of readiness.

Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

When we are mindful of His coming, alert spiritually and ready, it shows that our lamps are full.

2Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
2Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

We are to be covered with the righteousness of Christ and stay that way. Without spot or blemish means that the blood of Jesus has covered our sins but we have not allowed them to return without
repentance. Those things can creep back in if we do not watch and pray that we do not enter into temptation. If it were not possible to lose out after one was saved, why are their some many warnings
against it?

Mat 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
Mat 25:15 And 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.
Mat 25:16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Mat 25:17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
Mat 25:18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
Mat 25:19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
Mat 25:20 And 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.
Mat 25:21 His 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.
Mat 25:22 He 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.
Mat 25:23 His 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.
Mat 25:24 Then 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:
Mat 25:25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
Mat 25:26 His 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:
Mat 25:27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
Mat 25:28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
Mat 25:29 For 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.
Mat 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This parable is very severe and scary but it is a warning. Although it is speaking of money and a worldly type of service to an employer, it speaks volumes in the spiritual realm. If we come to Christ repenting
of sin and making a commitment to live for Him and then hide it from the world around us, never witnessing, never attempting to live in a godly manner, never attending believer's worship meetings, never
desiring to learn more of Him, growing in grace, sharing our faith etc., never bearing any fruits of the spirit that we claim to be filled with, then we are in danger of losing what we claim to have. Some say
that the person who does this was not saved to begin with but we see from this story that the man was given one talent or measure of money to invest. So it is not talking of one that has never been saved.

Talents here do not refer to the natural talents some of us are born with. If that was the case those that have a talent to wheel and deal, cheat and lie would think they can use it for the glory of God. It is
not referring to natural talent but the talent here is money given to them to invest and increase for their employer. It is not speaking to us about money or natural natural talents but what we do with our lives
after we first come to Christ. As we study the chapter further we can see more of what it is speaking of. Fruits of the spirit, the love of God, being good to those that we live among, sharing the gospel and
exercising the spiritual gifts that God gives to us through the Holy Spirit is more likely what is referred to here. To most of us, it means to simply believe and trust in Christ for our salvation and then allowing the works produced by that faith to abide within us and bring forth fruit. We still have the power to choose or yield to evil or to good after we are saved by the grace and mercy of God.

Mat 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:
Mat 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:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat 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:
Mat 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:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 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?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 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.

This passage can apply to anyone or any group of people that the Holy Spirit directs it to. We see first a message to nations. If a nation will feed and clothe believers in Christ or the natural seed of Abraham
(Jews), they will be blessed by God. This is a promise given to Abraham, "I will bless those that bless thee and curse those that curse thee." Gentile believers in Christ inherit the blessing of Abraham by
faith in Christ. The nation of Israel is still in God's plan. Individuals who die without Christ in Israel will be lost but as a nation they are still in God's plan. The gospel of Jesus is returning to that nation.
How we treat that nation will determine whether or not we survive as a nation. We will be cursed if we curse Israel. We will be cursed if we curse a born again believer in Christ also.

As individuals this can apply also. If we bring the gospel to the least little child, or anyone else, if we feed the hungry both spiritually and physically, if we clothe the naked, and we help the needy, it is the
same as doing it to Christ.

Mat 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:
Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
Mat 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.
Mat 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?
Mat 25:45 Then 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.
Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

The way we treat people, especially believers in Christ, is how we will be treated. Do unto others as you want others to do unto you. To be kind to a neighbor is to be kind to Jesus Christ. This includes our
own family members. I've seen Christian couples go through divorces and two people who use to love one another begin to defraud, cheat, become suspicious, war, fight and do all manner of evil to one
another. Don't we realize that if we treat our spouses wrongly and they happen to be believers in Jesus Christ that it is the same as doing it to Christ.

You make someone leave their home and cast them out, to fail to pay child support or spousal support and you deny them food, shelter or clothing, it is the same as doing it to Christ. You make a believer
homeless, you are making Christ homeless.

During the holocaust a whole nation cast out Jews, who are the natural brethren of the Lord. In as much as they did it to them, they were doing it to Christ.

Chapter 26