Maybe the greatest moment in history is soon to occur, the second coming of the Messiah to bring paradise to a lost deceived world. However, Jesus must really know us before we can gladly hear that trumpet blast at His second coming.
A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST IS REQUIRED TO BE IN HIS COMING KINGDOM
The disciples asked Jesus what would be the signs of His coming, and He said no one is going know. The timing is only in the Father's hands. But He did give them some advice about what God would require of believers before the trumpet sounds, announcing His return. Note what the number one threat is to believers: readiness!
Matthew 25:1-5, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept…” (NKJV)
All of them slept; however the wise ones kept some level of spiritual oil or fuel going on even in an apathetic world. Therefore, never be lulled completely to sleep. Note in verses 8-12 Christ’s number one requirement of disciples (and remember that coasting is always down hill.)
- "And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'
- 10"And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
- 11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you ‘"
Note that it is an individual issue –– others cannot do it for you. We must all develop that deep, loving relationship for ourselves. Most of all note that Jesus says He must know us before His second coming for us to get into the family of God. We must let Jesus live in us and try and obey and pray and learn to love Christ. The question is how? The remainder of the chapter reveals crucial, real advice.
PRACTICAL ADVICE FROM CHRIST ON HOW TO BE MORE LIKE HIM
God wants disciples to use the talents and gifts He gives us to help spread the gospel and to grow spiritually. Spiritual growth in us is like gold to God.
Daniel 12:2-3, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life…3 Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever.”
Obviously everyone is not given the gift of being an evangelist, but all of us can help our local and global churches in efforts to spread the gospel message. Further, our good examples over time may allow us to help some others start the salvation journey.
The returning king rewarded those servants handsomely based on their wise and bold use of the talents God gave them. However one was not rewarded because:
Matthew 25:24-29, “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man …25 'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’"
This disciple had no growth and played it safe in his life with the truth. Note the results:
26 "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed... 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.”
God does not reward cowardice as an excuse for hiding our light and not growing. Note the reasons for ending up in the fire that turns them into ashes.
Revelation 21:8, "Butthe cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire…which is the second death."
Jesus reveals another practical way to be more like Him and develop that loving relationship: serving others openly.
Matthew 25:33-34, “And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:’”
What is the key to being ready to enter His kingdom as the trumpet introduces the coming of the King of kings?
Matthew 25:35-40, “‘…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'
“37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You…39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
“40 And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”
Then He turned to the wicked and gave them the explanation for His thinking.
Matthew 25:41-45, “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.'
“44 Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?'
“45 Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’"
Jesus says to resist apathy, help our local and global church’s outreach work with courage and be a light to the world! But most of all, develop a prayer-filled serving relationship with Christ. Be personal with God in our prayer like King David.
Acts 13:22, “…He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’"
It would be wise for believers to use the prayers in Psalms to be more like king David.
