© 19 Colin Melbourne
Muting Christ
Matthew 25 is seldom mentioned in fellowships today, which is odd because it is The LORD Jesus Christ speaking eternal truth, with direct relevance considering the forthcoming Judgment when He returns.
Slumbering Virgins & Slack Servants
Chapter 25 has three passages, the first two are parabolic, where Christ likens the coming of God’s kingdom first to ten virgins, and then to servants entrusted with cash (talents).
The third passage is neither allegorical nor a parable, but a factual description from the lips of Christ about what will actually happen to mankind on His Return.
It is worth noting why the five foolish virgins were ultimately shut out of the Kingdom Marriage Supper: Not because they weren’t awaiting the Bridegroom’s return, for they were indeed; neither because their lamps weren’t trimmed and oiled, for they obtained, and returned with the required oil supply, and trimmed wicks.
They had done their duty, but alas the Bridgroom’s verdict was final and damning.
Too late, His door was already closed to them.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
The five virgins obviously knew about The Bridegroom’s imminent return: That’s why they were waiting for Him. But when He came He shut them out because He did not know them.
Isn’t that very interesting?
Wasting Opportunities
The second parable’s relevance is also made clear to us; taking the word talents in both its direct financial meaning, and also descriptive of attributes and skills we are endowed with. We have each been given by God, divinely useful attributes and gifts. Those who do not use their talents and cash to magnify their Maker are unprofitable servants, who will be cast into outer darkness, to forever weep and gnash their teeth at their stupidity.
Be sure you use your God given gifts, whatever they may be, to glorify The LORD Jesus Christ, not yourself.
Sheep and Goats
The third passage is not allegorical, but clear instruction from The Shepherd to believers, with a dire warning.
Those of His sheep who are doing the things Christ commands are righteous, and can look forward to life eternal in Glory.
Those who call themselves believers, but who are neglecting to honour Christ’s instructions, He describes as goats, and He tells us they will… go away into everlasting punishment.
I believe Him, don’t you?
Let’s ensure we really love Him, and manifest it by fulfilling His words in Mtt 25:31-46 KJV;
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: 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: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
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: 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: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
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.
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: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 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.
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?
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.
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Which Are You?
According to The Living Word of God; His sheep are righteous believers who perform His charitable acts without hesitation.
The goats are sent to eternal punishment simply because they did not do His will, regardless of what they claimed they believed.
This is The Judge talking, and it’s worth noting the goats on his left were condemned to Hell-fire, along with all the sexually immoral, liars, drunks and swindlers, because they neglected to show forth these charitable acts in His Name.
Such deeds ought to be commonplace amongst professing Christians, but to observe how infrequently they are performed, you would think these words were not even in the Holy Bible.
Will you join with me in making them as much your divine habit as loving and worshipping the LORD in Spirit and Truth?
I think He’d like that, don’t you?
© 19 Colin Melbourne
