Prophetic and practical teaching of Jesus

Read Matthew 25.

The twelve asked questions regarding the coming of Jesus at "the end of the age" (24:3).  He described for them a time of unprecedented world-wide turmoil, followed by "great tribulation" to prepare the nation of Israel to receive her King.  "Immediately after the tribulation," He will appear for all the earth to see His power and glory.

Because of the uncertainty as to the exact time of Jesus' return at the conclusion of the tribulation, He provided warning and encouragement for those who will be alive during those seven awful years.  Jesus chose to do this in story-form.

1. The Ten Virgins-Preparation (vv.1-13)
As a reminder, the Church is the bride of Christ and has already been "caught up" to be with Him.  The ten virgins are not the bride but invited guests to the marriage feast.  These would represent the Jews who are aware of Christ’s return.  Some will be spiritually ready and some will not.

The practical lesson that applies to any age is that we need to be spiritually prepared at all times.  No one knows when we may be taken out of this life, by death or by rapture.  No one knows when the seven years of tribulation will begin.  It may be today.  Therefore, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring" (Proverbs 27:1).

2. The Talents-Productive Service (vv.14-30)
Even in the midst of those unbelievably difficult days, the Sovereign Lord will expect people to not only believe in Him but productively use what He gave them.  Note that it is the master who decides the distribution.  The rewards for faithful service are exactly, word for word, the same.  Fear kept the unfaithful one from doing what he knew was right.

For us, it is God who sovereignly provides our spiritual gifts, abilities, and opportunities.  He not only expects to receive back "what was my own" but "with interest" (v.27).  He wants to reward those who are faithful in using what He loaned to us in this life.  "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." (1 Corinthians 4:1)

3. The Time of Eternal Judgment-Practical Ministry (vv.31-46)
A key phrase to understanding this section is "these my brothers" (v.40).  That would certainly be a reference to the Jews trying to survive during the tribulation.  With the Antichrist seeking to exterminate them and without the ability to buy and sell, others must provide for them.  It appears, then, that those who come to faith in Jesus during this time will aid them.

Practically speaking, it is a lesson for all of us who to be aware and to be actively helpful to those in need.  As long as there are people who are hungry, do not have clean drinking water, who need clothing, are sick, and those who are incarcerated, we who know Jesus have work to do in His name.  James 2:14-17 repeats this same teaching and adds, "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."