(Matthew 24:45-25:3045Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But 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. 10And 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. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. 14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And 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. 16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20And 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. 21His 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. 22He 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. 23His 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. 24Then 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: 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26His 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: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29For 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. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:45‑25:30))
Entering this section, we see a marked change in the Lord’s remarks regarding His coming. These changes indicate that He is not speaking of the same people as in the previous section. Mr. Darby said that this part of the discourse is actually a parenthesis. I suppose, in one sense, you could go from chapter 24:44 over to chapter 25:31, where the subject of the coming of the Son of Man is continued.
Some of the differences in this section are:
The Lord’s coming is not called the coming of the Son of Man.
The Lord’s coming (the Rapture) is mentioned three times.
No Old Testament prophecy is quoted.
No earthly signs are given.
Jerusalem and the temple are not mentioned.
The Sabbath is not mentioned.
These things show that the subject before us now does not have to do with the Jews, but rather, with a different group of people. A closer look will show that the Lord is speaking of His coming in relation to the part of the earth that has had the light of the gospel of the grace of God that is being preached today—the Christianized part of the earth, sometimes called Christendom. It therefore deals with Christian responsibility during this present time when Israel would be set aside in the ways of God and the Lord would be absent.
Three Parables
This section consists of three parables; the first is in Matthew 24:45-5145Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? 46Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:45‑51), and the emphasis is on faithfulness in the time of the Lord’s absence. The second is in Matthew 25:1-131Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But 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. 10And 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. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1‑13), and the emphasis is on watchfulness in the time of the Lord’s absence. The last one is in Matthew 25:14-3014For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And 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. 16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20And 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. 21His 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. 22He 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. 23His 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. 24Then 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: 25And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26His 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: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29For 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. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:14‑30), and it emphasizes usefulness in service in the time of the Lord’s absence. We could summarize the three parables as faithfulness, watchfulness, and usefulness.
It is significant that the Lord’s coming for His saints (the Rapture) is mentioned in all three of the parables (Matt. 24:46; 25:10; 25:1946Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. (Matthew 24:46)
10And 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. (Matthew 25:10)
19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. (Matthew 25:19)), whereas it has been conspicuously absent in Part One. The Appearing of Christ is also mentioned in this section (Matt. 24:50; 25:26-3050The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, (Matthew 24:50)
26His 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: 27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29For 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. 30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:26‑30)), but it’s never called the coming of the Son of Man.
PARABLE I—Faithfulness in the Time of Christ’s Absence
Now let’s focus on a few details in the first parable. It’s a scene where the lord of the house is absent, and the servants are tested as to their fidelity. The parable indicates that there are two kinds of servants in the house existing at the same time—a “faithful and wise servant” and an “evil servant.” In the time of the Lord’s absence the house of God will be marked by this kind of a mixture—those who are real and those who are false.
What we have in the faithful “servant” is what should characterize every true believer in the house of God today (vss. 45-47). The faithful servant looks for his lord to return at any moment, and that gives him motivation to be found “doing” his lord’s service faithfully. This would speak of having the imminence of the Lord’s coming (the Rapture) before our hearts. If it is bright before our souls, we will be motivated to live faithfully for Him in the time of His absence.
The faithful servant rises up and gives “meat in due season” to those in the house. This would speak of being busy in the ministry of the Word of God. Dear fellow Christian, this is what God wants us to be doing in the time of the Lord’s absence. But we won’t be able to give people spiritual food (the truth) if we haven’t first gathered it ourselves! This means that we need to be spending time in the Word gathering food for our souls so that we will be able to give it to others.
Notice also, it says that he gave food to his lord’s household “in due season.” This speaks of being in communion with the Lord to know when to give out what we have gathered. It’s one thing to have meat, and another thing to have the wisdom to know when and how to give it out. The Lord adds that there would be a reward for such faithfulness. There are going to be places of rule given in the kingdom to those who have served in this way (Luke 19:16-1916Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. 17And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. (Luke 19:16‑19)). This will happen at the Lord’s Appearing.
Then the Lord Jesus speaks of the “evil servant” in the time of his lord’s absence. We can see from the last verse of the chapter (vs. 51) that such a person is a mere professor and is not saved at all. He is in the house taking the place of a servant but is not a real believer. There are many like this in Christendom today who have made a profession in some way of being a Christian, but they’ve never been saved.
Three things characterize the evil servant. First, he says, “My lord delayeth His coming” (vs. 48). Notice, he doesn’t deny the fact of his lord’s coming, but rather, the nearness of it. He doesn’t say, “My lord is not coming.” He says, “It’s a long time away!” This depicts those who hold the truth of the Lord’s coming as a doctrine, but their lives show that they’ve given up the imminence of it. Today many evil servants have gone farther than this and have given up the doctrine of the Lord’s coming (the Rapture). They will tell you plainly that the Lord is not coming—that it’s a mistake to think that He is!
Secondly, the evil servant begins to “smite his fellowservants” (vs. 49). This depicts a judgmental spirit that would attack the Lord’s servants, perhaps being critical of them in their work. He becomes the proverbial “arm-chair critic.” This kind of a person is full of criticisms of his brethren but does little or nothing himself.
Thirdly, he would “eat and drink with the drunken” (vs. 49). This speaks of the breakdown of separation. He goes on “with” worldly people who are “drunken” with this world’s pleasures.
These three things characterize the false profession in Christianity today. It is sad, but many dear Christians are marked by these same things, even though they are true believers. This shows that we can be affected by the great apostasy. Christians can never apostatise—which is to abandon the profession of Christianity altogether—but they can be affected by the current of apostasy and let go of certain doctrines and practises. For instance, many real Christians have swallowed the teaching that the Rapture is a false idea. The New Covenant theologians, for example, teach this—and most of them are true believers.
PARABLE II—Watchfulness in the Time of Christ’s Absence
In this second parable, which has to do with the “ten virgins,” the Lord speaks of His coming as a “Bridegroom.” It emphasizes the need for watchfulness during the time of His absence. Notice again, it does not mention His coming as the Son of Man. It’s in verse 13 in the KJV, but the last six words of that verse are really not in the original MSS, as most other translations show. The aspect of the Lord’s coming here, is again, the Rapture.
In this parable, the Lord mentions four distinct periods that would mark the time of His absence in this present day. These four periods span the whole period of the Church’s history on earth:
“They all slumbered and slept” (vs. 5). This would mark another period in the Church’s history when the whole Christian profession fell asleep as to the Lord’s coming. This happened shortly after the apostles’ day and carried on right through the centuries into the dark ages.
“At midnight there was a cry” (vs. 6). This refers to a revival that took place in the 1800’s when there was an awakening in the Christian world to the fact that the Lord Jesus was coming again.
“The Bridegroom came” (vs. 10). This is the moment that I hope we are all looking for—the Rapture! It will close the Church’s history in this world, and we’ll be taken home to heaven.
Let’s look at the first couple of verses. There are three things here that characterized the early Church. First of all, it says that they “took their lamps.” A lamp speaks of profession. It refers to the bright testimony that they had before the world in that day. There was a manifestation of their faith. Then it says that they “went forth.” This speaks of separation. They went outside the camp of Judaism and out from their worldly associations (Heb. 13:1313Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. (Hebrews 13:13); 1 Thess. 1:99For they themselves show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; (1 Thessalonians 1:9)). Lastly, it says, “to meet the Bridegroom.” This speaks of expectation. They had the hope of the Lord’s coming before their souls. There was manifestation, separation, and expectation. That’s what marked the early church.
There were ten virgins, but “five of them were wise and five were foolish” (Matt. 25:22And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. (Matthew 25:2)). The wise had “oil” in their lamps, but the others didn’t. This means that some were saved and sealed with the Spirit, and others were not. Again, this depicts the mixture that exists in the Christian profession today.
That happy state didn’t last long; they all “slumbered and slept” (vs. 5). The Church got tired of looking for the Lord to come and became affected by the world, and this caused it to lose sight of His coming. Note, there was first slumbering and then sleeping. This shows that it was a state that came over the Church gradually.
Then, in the 1800s, a sovereign work of God took place whereby there was a revival of the truth of the Lord’s coming and many related truths. “At midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom cometh.” People awoke to the fact that the Lord was coming! There was quite a stir among Christians, and many began to look into prophecy. As they looked into the subject of future events in the Word of God, they learned that the Church formed no part of prophecy. They learned that the Church didn’t belong to the earth but that it had a heavenly calling and destiny. They then realized that the Lord could come at any moment and take the Church to heaven, as there was nothing in prophecy that first had to be fulfilled.
The word, “cometh” is not in the earliest MSS. It has been put into the text by the KJV translators, but really, it has no business being there. It makes His coming more of an event. The thought, rather, is that a PERSON is coming—the Lord Jesus Christ! It should simply read, “Behold, the Bridegroom!” This portrays the spirit of things at that time more accurately. People were not just looking for an event to happen; they were looking for the Lord to come! The call also exhorted them, “Go ye out to meet Him.” This means that there was an exercise to revert to their original position—outside the camp and the world. They left every ecclesiastical and secular association that they had been connected with and waited for the coming of the Lord.
In the next few verses we see what happened at that time in the Christian profession at large. There was quite a stir to get ready to meet the Bridegroom. Many were discovered to have “no oil” in their lamps. The exhortation of “the wise” to “the foolish” was to go and “buy” it from “them that sell.” This refers to the great gospel effort that marked that day. The gospel was preached freely, and many were saved. Buying would speak of having a personal transaction of faith with “them” (the Father and the Son), whereby they would be saved and sealed with the indwelling Spirit of God, of which the “oil” speaks (compare Isaiah 55:1-31Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isaiah 55:1‑3)). The foolish were told, “Buy for yourselves.” Everyone who gets saved must have a personal transaction with the Lord Himself. It is not possible to buy it for another person.
Then came that happy but solemn moment when the Bridegroom came, and “they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut” (vs. 10). Those who were foolish and unprepared when the Bridegroom came missed out. Afterward they came and cried, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” but it was too late! (vs. 11) Five times we get the expression in Scripture, “Lord, Lord,” and it always refers to empty profession (Matt. 7:21; 7:22; 25:1121Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? (Matthew 7:21‑22)
11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. (Matthew 25:11); Luke 6:46; 13:2546And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46)
25When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: (Luke 13:25)).
PARABLE III—Usefulness in the Time of Christ’s Absence
We have had faithfulness in the first parable, and then we’ve had watchfulness in the second parable; now we have usefulness of service in the third parable. We want to be faithful, watchful, and useful during the time of Christ’s absence. The first parable brought before us service in the house of God; whereas this parable has to do with service outside the house.
This parable has to do with the exercise of our gift during the time of the Lord’s absence. The “man travelling into a far country” would be the Lord Himself who has departed from this scene through death and ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-119And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:9‑11)). In departing, the man gave to one “five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability” (vs. 15). They were to trade with these in his absence, and when he returned, he would take account of their labour.
There are two things here: “ability” and “talents.” “Ability” is our natural intellectual powers that God gives and forms in our personalities right from birth. God providentially singles out and fashions each one of us in this way long before we are even saved.
When we are saved, we are given a spiritual gift by the Holy Spirit so that we might be able to serve the Lord in the place in which He has put us. The “talents” speak of these spiritual gifts. It might be a gift for evangelism, shepherding, or teaching (Eph. 4:1111And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (Ephesians 4:11)), or perhaps something less distinctive like helps (1 Cor. 12:2828And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:28)) or showing mercy (Rom. 12:88Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:8)).
We see the sovereign wisdom of the Master here in giving gifts that match the servant’s natural abilities. For example, someone who is naturally out-going, who likes to be with people and is talkative, could be given the gift of the evangelist. It is not likely that the Lord would give such a gift to someone who is naturally reticent and lacks communication skills.
If we turn over to 1 Peter 4:10-1110As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10‑11), we’ll see this distinction again. “As every man hath received the [a] gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
I mention this because Christians today do not understand what gift is and confuse it with natural ability. Take for instance, someone who is able to throw a football a mile. People will tell him, “Oh, that’s your gift!” So, he gets the idea that he is called to go into professional football to serve the Lord. Perhaps some other Christian is able to sing or play music very well. People will tell him, “That’s your gift, brother!” So, he is encouraged to go into the entertainment field to pursue a career. The result is that we see Christians involved in all sorts of endeavours that I don’t believe the Lord would lead them into. We have Christians in Hollywood; we have Christians in the Super Bowl, etc. They are only helping on the world system in its purpose of keeping people distracted and entertained as they go on their way to hell!
How could a right-minded Christian musician play in a dance band that is helping people to flitter away an evening dancing merrily into hell? It’s an incredible thing; real believers are being reduced to entertain the man of the world as he steps mindlessly into a lost eternity! It reminds me of Gehazi who was found to be covetous and was dismissed from his service for the Lord (2 Kings 5:20-2720But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. 21So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? 22And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. 23And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. 24And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed. 25But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. 26And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants? 27The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. (2 Kings 5:20‑27)). We find him later entertaining the godless king with stories of the amazing things that Elisha had done! (2 Kings 8:4-54And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done. 5And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. (2 Kings 8:4‑5)) It’s happening today in the Christian world, and it’s because of bad teaching, and perhaps a lot of self-will and glory seeking too.
The faithful servants went and “traded” with their talents and “gained” more (vss. 16-17). This does not mean that if we serve the Lord with our gift that we’ll get another gift, but that our gift must be cultivated. The more we exercise our gift the stronger it will grow and the more effective we will be in our service.
Then it says, “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh.” The “long time” would speak of the whole period of the Lord’s absence—the Church period of some 2000 years. The master’s coming back would, of course, speak of the Lord’s coming—the Rapture. Then, the servants were assembled and held accountable. This speaks of the judgment seat of Christ when our lives and service will pass into review, and we will be rewarded accordingly (Rom. 14:1010But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. (Romans 14:10); 1 Cor. 3:12-15; 4:5; 212Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Corinthians 3:12‑15)
5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:5) Cor. 5:10). The great thing to see here is that the Lord does not reward according to gift. That wouldn’t be fair since some received more talents than others in the first place. They are rewarded according to their willingness and diligence to use what was put into their hands. If they multiplied what they received, they would be rewarded accordingly. Each one who worked according to the ability that the Lord gave received His commendation, “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” (vss. 21, 23).
The man who “hid” his talent in the earth answers to a mere false professor in Christianity. We can see that he was not saved because he was cast into “outer darkness” (vs. 30). A difficulty that some have with this is that he had been given a talent (a gift). But the truth is that God gives certain outward manifestations of the Spirit to all who are in the house of God, whether they are saved or not. In that sense, all in the house of God have been given a gift. Remember the Spirit of God today dwells, not only in believers, but also among them (John 14:1717Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (John 14:17): Acts 2:1-41And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1‑4)). The Spirit of God is in the house of God where there is a mixture of believers and unbelievers; and mere professors who are there partake of the Spirit of God in an outward way (Heb. 6:44For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (Hebrews 6:4)).
The Lord gave an example of one who had a gift, but was not saved, in Matthew 7:21-2321Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21‑23). Judas is an example also (Acts 1:1717For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. (Acts 1:17)). He preached, cast out demons, and healed people, but was lost (John 6:7070Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? (John 6:70); Acts 1:2525That he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. (Acts 1:25)). The master of the house holds such people responsible because they have taken the ground of being a servant by their profession, and are viewed as such, even though they are not saved. The greatest judgment will belong to those who have had the greatest degree of light and privilege but have not responded to it! (Luke 12:47-4847And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:47‑48))