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Matthew Chapter
Twenty-five
I.
Content of the Chapter
The Judgments in the Second Coming of the
Lord
I. Judgments towards believers:
A. He
judges according to how they treat others (Matt. 24:45-51).
B. He
judges according to how they prepare themselves (v.1-13).
C. He
judges according to how they use God’s gifts (v.14-30).
II. Judgments towards the world (those who are alive
when the Lord comes):
A. He
separates sheep from the goats (v.31-33).
B. The
sheep who treat God’s people well will receive reward (v.34-40).
C. The
goats who neglect the pain of God’s people will be punished (v.41-46).
II.
Verse by Verse commentary
Matt. 25:1 “‘Then
the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and
went out to meet the bridegroom.”
YLT: “`Then shall the
reign of the heavens be likened to ten virgins
who
having taken their lamps
went forth to meet the bridegroom;”
The
Background: there were two parts
in the ancient Jewish marriage: the bridegroom came to the house of the bride
to marry her and gave banquets to entertain guests. Sometimes the wedding
banquet lasted as long as seven days and then the bride and her husband
returned to the house of the bridegroom together to hold the wedding ceremony.
According to the convention
on the day that the bridegroom went to marry the
bride
the bridegroom went to the house of his relatives or friends to eat and
make merry first and then the bridegroom came to the house of the bride at
midnight. Therefore
the young girl friends of the bride (virgins) had the duty
to welcome the bridegroom. When the bride was delayed
virgins could lie down
and rest temporarily and wait that those who accompany the bride shouted that
“the bridegroom is coming!” and then they rose and went out to meet the
bridegroom with their lamps.
Literal Meaning: “then the kingdom of
heaven shall be likened to ten virgins” “Then” indicates the time of the second
coming of the Lord; “the kingdom of heaven shall be likened” indicates all
things that would happen
including all the conditions which have been
described in v.1-13
when the Lord comes for the second time and brings in the
reality of the kingdom.
Spiritual Meaning: “ten believers”
typify believers who are likened a chaste virgin espoused to Christ (See 2Cor.
11:2); “lamps” typify spirits of men (See Prov. 20:27); “the bridegroom”
typifies the Lord Jesus Christ who will come to marry the bride (See Matt.
9:15; John. 3:29).
Believers
living in the generation of
darkness
shoulder the testimony of Christ (“took their lamps”). They shine as
lights in the world and hold forth the word of life (Pill. 2:15-16) and they
come out of the world step by step to meet the coming Christ (“went out to meet
the bride”).
Remark: a) virgins are
mentioned here instead of spouse because “spouse” typifies the church (See Eph.
5:25) ------the total title that includes all believers and virgins typify
individual believers. This parable stresses on individual condition to watch
make preparation and wait for the second coming of the Lord.
b) “Ten” added to “two” makes “twelve”. The number
“twelve” in the Bible indicates “the perfect of the eternal age” and therefore
“ten virgins” in this chapter and “two” one of which was taken and the other
was left in previous chapter (See Matt. 24:40-41) are the sum of Christians at
all times and in all countries. Before the Lord comes
most of Christians have
been dead and therefore “ten” is used to represent the dead believers; the
“two” in previous chapter represents believers who are still alive when the
Lord comes.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers are likened virgins who are presented
to Christ and therefore we should have hearts of simplicity towards Christ and
should not love any person or thing besides the Lord (See 2Cor. 11:2-3).
2) Believers are the light of the world and our
“lamps” should shine all the time and then we are able to glory God the Father
(See Matt. 5:14-16).
3) Our mission is to “go out and meet the
bridegroom”; Christ is the meaning of our life and in this way to us to die is
gain (See Pill. 1:21).
4) Christ is our “bridegroom” and His care
love
provision and encouragement keep fresh and never fail forever.
Matt. 25:2 “Now five of them were
wise
and five were foolish.”
YLT: “and five of them
were prudent
and five foolish;”
Meaning of Words: “foolish”: dull
stupid and fool (See Matt. 5:22); “wise”: sagacious
discreet
intelligent and
sensible (See Matt. 24:45).
Spiritual Meaning: “five” is the number
which means that men are responsible before God and therefore “five” wise and
“five” foolish virgins symbolize each believer should bear his own
responsibility before God.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Whether men are “foolish” or “wise” before God
should not be imputed to their nature. What’s important is whether men perform
their own responsibilities before God (“five”).
2) The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of
knowledge (See Prov. 1:7). Anyone who is simple to God’s words and trusts and
obeys God’s words is wise and anyone who has the attitude of “however”
“maybe”
“according to my opinion” and etc towards God’s words is foolish.
Matt. 25:3 “Those who were foolish
took their lamps and took no oil with them
”
YLT: “they who were
foolish having taken their lamps
did not take with themselves oil;”
The
Background: “lamp” indicates
firebrand which is a long stick on which top there are shreds immersed with
oil. If it is lightened
it could be used to shine outside at night. Usually
men will take with vessels which carry oil for the need of oil
lest it may
quench.
Literal Meaning: “took no oil with
them” does not mean that there is no oil in their lamps because their lamps
shine (See v.8) and therefore this should mean that they have not “taken oil in
their vessels” (See v.4).
Spiritual Meaning: “those who were
foolish took their lamps” “Took their lamps” symbolizes that their spirits have
been quickened (See Eph. 2:5) and they are able to shine for the Lord (See Eph.
5:8-14).
“Took no oil with them” “Oil” typifies
the Holy Spirit (See Is. 61:1; Heb. 1:9; 1John. 2:20
27); “took no oil with
them” does not mean that they do have the indwelling Holy Spirit in their
spirits (lamps) (See
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) It is not enough that believers have been born
from above and have the indwelling Holy Spirit. They should let every part of
their souls and even the whole persons be filled with the Holy Spirit (See
Acts. 6:3
5; Eph. 5:18).
2) “Receiving the Holy Spirit” (the oil of the
lamps) is God’s free reward (See Ezek. 36:26) and “being full of the Holy
Spirit” (took oil in the vessels) is what we should pay price to seek.
Matt. 25:4 “but the wise took oil in
their vessels with their lamps.”
YLT: “and the prudent
took oil in their vessels
with their lamps.”
Literal Meaning: the wise and the
foolish al “took their lamps” and the only difference is that the foolish “took
no oil in their vessels” (See v.3) and the wise “took oil in their vessels”.
Spiritual Meaning: The aim of God to
create men is to make men His vessels (See Rom. 9:21-24; 1Pet. 3:7) and
therefore “vessels” symbolizes souls of believers
i.e. the outward men of
believers (See 2Cor. 4:16).
“Took oil in their vessels” symbolizes
that believers let the Holy Spirit spread in their spirits and fill every part
of their souls.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Each believer has a duty to perform and it is to
let our whole persons be filled and baptized with the Holy Spirit.
2) The Holy Spirit is unwilling to strive with
men’s souls (See Gen. 6:3) and therefore if we want to be full of the Holy
Spirit
we have to deny ourselves and take up our crosses (See Matt. 10:38-39;
16:24-25).
3) Whether one is foolish or wise depends on
whether one is willing to lose the life of soul or seek easy in order to save
the life of soul.
Matt. 25:5 “But while the bridegroom
was delayed
they all slumbered and slept.”
YLT: “`And the bridegroom
tarrying
they all nodded and were sleeping
”
Spiritual Meaning: “while the
bridegroom was delayed” typifies that the Lord’s second coming has not been
fulfilled yet (See 2Pet. 3:9).
“They all slumbered and slept.” “They
slumbered” because their bodies and minds were exhausted and therefore it
symbolizes that believers were senile in the flesh and sick (See Acts. 9:37;
1Cor. 11:30); “slept” symbolizes believers’ death of the flesh (See John.
11:11-13; 1Cor. 15:18; 1Thess. 4:13-14).
The Lord Jesus promised that He would come
again
however
two thousand years has passed away
the Lord is delayed and had
not come yet. Therefore many believers “slumbered” (became weak) first and then
“slept” (died) before He comes.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) If the Lord is delayed
we
no matter we are
foolish or wise
all will “slumber and sleep”.
2) The difference of foolish and wise believers all
depends on the conditions before they “slept”. Our states in this world
determine our positions before the Lord in future.
Matt. 25:6 “‘And
at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold
the bridegroom is
coming; go out to meet him!'”
YLT: “and in the middle
of the night a cry was made
Lo
the bridegroom doth come; go ye forth to meet
him.”
Spiritual Meaning: “at midnight a cry
was heard” “Midnight” indicates the time when the night is far spent (See Rom.
13:12). This world will become darker and darker until the Lord comes; “a cry
was heard” indicates that the Lord himself shall come with a shout
with the
voice of the archangel (See 1Thess. 4:16).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Sometimes
when we are in the worst environment
and encounter the darkest period (“at midnight”)
the Lord comes to save us.
2) All the pursuit
life and testimony of believers
are for the purpose of “meeting” Christ and also belong to Christ.
Matt. 25:7 “Then all those virgins
arose and trimmed their lamps.”
YLT: “`Then rose all
those virgins
and trimmed their lamps
”
Literal Meaning: “trimmed their
lamps” indicates to cut the ends of shreds which have been burnt (See the
background of v.3).
Spiritual Meaning: “arose” symbolizes
that the dead shall be raised (See 1Cor. 15:52; 1Thess. 4:16); “trimmed their
lamps” symbolizes that after believers arose
they were enlightened by God and
then deal with their witness that they had bore to Christ all their lives and
the level their spiritual life have reached.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers’ walking and experience during their
lifetime are the preparations to meet the Lord in future (See Rev. 19:7-8;
1Pet. 1:5-7; 4:13).
2) If we do not learn spiritual lessons well when
we live today
we will still need to make up the missed lesson (“trimmed
lamps”) in future.
Matt. 25:8 “And the foolish said to
the wise
‘Give us some of your oil
for our lamps are going out.'”
YLT: “and the foolish
said to the prudent
Give us of your oil
because our lamps are going out;”
Literal Meaning: “Give us some of
your oil” indicates that the five foolish virgins suddenly found that they had
not taken enough oil after they arose.
“For our lamps are going out.” It shows
that their lamps have been lightened and there is oil in their lamps. However
the oil is not enough and is about to be used up and then their lamps will
quench.
Spiritual Meaning: “give us some of
your oil” typifies that they want to share the spiritual achievements with
other believers.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers must take oil (be full of the Holy
Spirit) soon or later------if we do not take oil in this life
we have to take
oil in future.
2) The more our spirits are full of the Holy
Spirit
the more bright the outward enlightenment will be; the less the Holy
Spirit is in our spirits
the dimmer the enlightenment is (“our lamps are going
out”).
Matt. 25:9 “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.'”
YLT: “and the prudent
answered
saying Lest there may not be sufficient for us and you
go ye rather
unto those selling
and buy for yourselves.”
Literal Meaning: “lest there should
not be enough for us and you” means that “sorry and I am willing to help but
I’m unable to do so because the oil is only enough for ourselves”.
Spiritual Meaning: the answer of the
wise virgins shows spiritual principles as follows:
a) The gifts of the Holy Spirit could be
shared with each other (See Acts. 8:17; 19:6; 1Tim. 1:6)
however
the fullness
of the Holy Spirit (oil in the vessels) cannot be shared.
b) Others could at most show how to be
full off the Holy Spirit (“but…”).
c) One has to seek to be full of the
Holy Spirit by himself (“go rather…”).
d) One has to pay price to seek to be
full of the Holy Spirit (“go rather to those who sell and buy for yourselves”).
“Those who sell” may be the “two sons of
fresh oil” who stand before the Lord of the whole earth (See Zech. 4:11-14
“two anointed ones” mean “two sons of fresh oil” in the original); they are the
two witnesses who will be sent in the Great Tribulation (See Rev. 11:3-4) that
the “two oil trees” stand for.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Believers should sympathize each other and have
the same care one for another (See 1Cor. 12:25; Gal. 6:2)
however
one can not
share his spiritual experience and achievement with others.
2) The oil is not “given by others” but “bought
from those who sell”------our experience of the unction gained “first-hand”
instead of “second-hand”.
3) If we want to be full of the Holy Spirit
we
have to pay price (See Rev. 3:18)------for example: forsaking all that one has
taking up one’s cross
denying oneself
following the Lord and etc.
4) The more price one pays
the more spiritual gain
one may receive; the more one is deprived of by the cross
the more spiritual
achievement one will receive.
Matt. 25:10 “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.”
YLT: “`And while they are
going away to buy
the bridegroom came
and those ready went in with him to the
marriage-feasts
and the door was shut;”
The
Background: the wedding feast of
the ancient Jews sometimes lasted seven days (See Gen. 29:22
28).
Spiritual Meaning: “went in with him to
the wedding” “Went in to the wedding” symbolizes that they partake in the
marriage supper of the Lamb (See Rev. 19:9).
“The door was shut.” This “door” is not
the door of salvation and life (See Matt. 7:14)
but the door to enter the
kingdom and enjoy the wedding (See Matt. 8:11).
Remark: the marriage supper of the Lamb starts from the
beginning of the kingdom of a thousand years (See Rev. 19:7
9
17) and ends at
the end of the kingdom of a thousand years (See Rev. 21:2). It shows that the
marriage supper of the Lamb is as long as the kingdom of a thousand years and
overcomers will reign and enjoy with Christ a thousand years (Rev. 20:4-6). The
period of a thousand years is only the marriage supper of the Lamb and Christ
will formally marry the church as wife of the Lamb until the new heaven and the
new earth of the eternal age (See Rev. 21:1-2
9).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The qualification to enter the marriage supper
of the Lamb is determined by states of believers during their lifetime instead
of their states after they arose.
2) Believers
while it is called today (See Heb.
3:13)
should prepare themselves
lest we may be shut out of the door.
3) One has to buy the oil and the problem is
whether one buys it early or late. Those who buy the oil early enter the
marriage supper and those who buy the oil late are shut out of the door.
Believers all will be full of the Holy Spirit and the problem is whether one is
full of the Holy Spirit early or late. Since it is so
it is worthwhile to
redeem the time and be filled with the Holy Spirit (See Eph. 5:16-18).
Matt. 25:11 “‘Afterward
the other virgins came also
saying
‘Lord
Lord
open to us!'”
YLT: “and afterwards come
also do the rest of the virgins
saying
Sir
sir
open to us;”
Literal Meaning: “the other virgins”
indicate the other foolish virgins.
“Came also” The difference between them and
the wise virgins is that they came in different time.
Spiritual Meaning: this verse shows two
things:
a) The foolish virgins also typify
believers; “came also” typify that they were caught up later.
b) They may have not been caught up for
the first time because they have not been ready.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) When the Lord comes
not all believers are
ready; if we begin to make preparations until the Lord comes
we will fall
behind.
2) The moment believers are mature will they be
caught up.
Matt. 25:12 “But he answered and said
‘Assuredly
I say to you
I do not know you.'”
YLT: “and he answering
said
Verily I say to you
I have not known you.”
Literal Meaning: “I do not know you”
“Know” in the original (oida) means “praise
approve
like
recognize”.
Therefore this sentence does not mean that the Lord does not know them at all.
It means that the Lord does not praise them (See Matt. 7:23).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The hope of the second coming of the Lord
originally makes us be glad and rejoice (because we will go in with Him to the
wedding). However
if we do not watch and make preparations
we may be punished
by the Lord.
2) If believers pay price to reach the maturity of
life after they arise in future
they won’t have intimacy with the Lord
be
acceptable to God and enjoy the feast of the kingdom with the Lord together as
the firstfruits (See Rev. 14:4).
Matt. 25:13 “‘Watch
therefore
for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is
coming.”
YLT: “`Watch therefore
for ye have not known the day or the hour in which the Son of Man doth come.”
Literal Meaning: “watch therefore”
“watch” here means “be ready” (See v.10); “watch” indicates one’s attitude
towards the Lord and “be ready” indicates the attitude towards himself.
This verse and verse forty-four in
chapter 24 support each other
showing that v.1-13 in this chapter are
complementary to v.40-42 in chapter 24. There the Lord predicted that the
living believers may be taken up or left when He comes; and here the Lord
predicted that believers who had been dead will go in with Him to the wedding
or be shut out of the door when He comes.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Since the day and the hour of the Lord’s second
coming are unknown to men
we should prepare ourselves as early as possible and
always “watch”.
2) Those that are truly watchful fear that they are
not ready. Not as though they had already attained
either were already
perfect
however
they follow after (See Pill. 3:12).
3) If we live godly every day
with the attitude of
meeting the second coming of the Lord
naturally we will be ready quickly.
Matt. 25:14 “‘For
the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country
who called his
own servants and delivered his goods to them.”
YLT: “`For as a man going
abroad did call his own servants
and did deliver to them his substance
”
Literal Meaning: “the kingdom of
heaven is like” There is not “the kingdom of heaven” in the original and this
could be translated as “it is like”.
Spiritual Meaning: “a man traveling to
a far country” “A man” indicates the Lord Jesus; “traveling to far country”
indicates that the Lord departed out of the world unto the heaven (See Heb.
9:11; 1Pet. 3:22).
“Who called his own servants and
delivered his goods to them.” “Servants”
“slaves” in the original
indicate
that believers are slaves who have been bought by the precious blood of the
Lord (See 1Cor. 7:22-23); “goods” indicates spiritual inheritance
i.e. the
house of God (the church) and children in the house of God (See Eph. 1:18).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) As far as life is concerned believers are
virgins (See v.1) and should live for Him; as far as work is concerned
believers are servants and work for Him.
2) We are sons and daughters of God by grace and
faith and we are servants of the Lord by gifts and behaviors. One can be a
child of God through Christ and one should be the Lord’s servant through the
Holy Spirit.
Matt. 25:15 “And to one he gave five
talents
to another two
and to another one
to each according to his own
ability; and immediately he went on a journey.”
YLT: “and to one he gave
five talents
and to another two
and to another one
to each according to his
several ability
went abroad immediately.”
The
Background: “talent” is a unit
of the Jewish current system. The weight of a talent is about thirty kilograms
and the value of a talent is three thousand shekel.
Literal Meaning: “according to his own ability” “Ability”
indicates the natural intelligence of each one and the acquired kill that one
has learnt.
Spiritual Meaning: “give them…talents”
The money symbolizes gifts that a believer receives from the Lord after he has
been saved (1Cor. 12:4-11) and these spiritual gifts originally belong to the
house owner (See v.14). Today
the Lord transforms them to talents and makes us
to manage them to fulfill their ministry according to the talents.
“To one he gave five talents
to another
two
and to another one.” The Lord gives each gifts of different measure
according to the natural capacity of each (See
“And immediately he went on a
journey.” It symbolizes that the Lord was taken up into heaven; actually
spiritual gifts are given from above after the Lord was taken up into heaven
(See Eph. 4:8).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Three servants symbolize all believers at all
times and in all countries. Any believer is a servant of the Lord and he also
receives spiritual gifts from the Lord. None of believers could decline that
“I do not have any gifts and therefore I do not need to hand over the
accountants or do any service.”
2) The world stresses on abilities
however
abilities are really not gifts. As long as one’s abilities are used by the
Lord
his abilities will be profitable to the Lord and men.
3) One’s abilities could influence the measure of
gifts that one receives
however
it does not show that abilities outstrip
gifts; abilities are of nature and gifts are of spirit.
4) In the church abilities have to be turned into
gifts and then there won’t be any disorder; more than half of the problems in
the church are caused by believers who do things with their natural abilities
instead of spiritual gifts.
5) Gifts (“talents”) are given by the Lord instead
of anyone in the church. Though Apostles and presbyteries also give gifts by
praying and laying on of their hands (See 1Tim. 4:14; 2Tim. 1:6)
however
they
are only channels to give gifts and the dominion is of the Lord Himself.
6) Since the Lord has given gifts to every
believer
His will is that every one in the church should use gifts. Therefore
we should pay regard to others’ gifts and should never trample others’ gifts.
7) The Lord’s commitments of grace are given to us
according to our abilities that He has given to us and His commitments won’t
surpass what we could undertake.
8) The capacity of vessels will restrain the
measure that the Lord gives (See 2Kings. 4:5-6) and therefore we should ask the
Lord to enlarge our capacities and then we may receive more commitments.
Matt. 25:16 “Then he who had received
the five talents went and traded with them
and made another five talents.”
YLT: “`And he who did
receive the five talents
having gone
wrought with them
and made other five
talents;”
Literal Meaning: “then…went and
traded with them” “Then”: without any delay; “traded with them” shows that the
aim of the Lord to give them talents is hoping them to be good at using the
talents and make more talents instead of hiding the talents.
Spiritual Meaning: “traded” symbolizes
to use the gifts; “made another” symbolizes that: a) the more the gifts are
used
the more the gifts will increase; b) the degree of the usage of the
gifts
for example: he who had received five talents made another five talents
i.e. the absolute and complete use of gifts
without any waste or loss.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord gives each of us gifts in order to ask
us to use the gifts (“traded with them”) so that spiritual inheritance may
increase (“made another”). The more the gifts are used
the more the gifts will
increase.
2) Our bodies
time
intelligence
gifts and etc
should be completely used by the Lord and we should live for the Lord.
Matt. 25:17 “And likewise he who had
received two gained two more also.”
YLT: “in like manner also
he who [received] the two
he gained
also he
other two;”
Literal Meaning: “likewise” shows
that his faithfulness and effort are the same with the one who had received
five talents.
Matt. 25:18 “But he who had received
one went and dug in the ground
and hid his lord's money.”
YLT: “and he who did
receive the one
having gone away
digged in the earth
and hid his lord’s
money.”
Spiritual Meaning: “dug in the ground”
“Ground” symbolizes the world; “dug in the ground” symbolizes to secure
personal gain in the world.
“Hid his lord’s money.” “Hid money”
symbolizes to neglect the gifts and it is the irresponsible behavior.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Those who had received few gifts are usually
easy to give themselves up as hopeless and ignore and neglect the gifts that
are given by the Lord.
2) In the church believers should never slack
because their own responsibilities are light and their works are easy. If so
they will be unable to pass the buck before the Lord.
3) If believers do not serve and engage in the
church
and contrarily they turn to the world and put all their minds and
energy in the world
it is the behavior of hiding gifts.
4) Any of our union
involvement
and intimacy
even a little idea of recalling the world will cause the hiding of spiritual
gifts.
5) If believers’ words
manner and behaviors are
affected by the world
naturally their gifts are hidden. For example: if we say
something that is unworthy of saints to someone
we will be unable to bear
witness to the Lord before him and therefore the gifts are hidden.
6) Anyone who is unwilling to use spiritual gifts
in the excuse of earthly reasons (for example: I have to work to make money and
therefore I have no time to take part in the meeting of gospel.) hides
spiritual gifts.
Matt. 25:19 “After a long time the
lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.”
YLT: “`And after a long
time cometh the lord of those servants
and taketh reckoning with them;”
Spiritual Meaning: “after a long time”
“a long time” symbolizes the whole dispensation of grace.
“The lord of those servants came.” It
symbolizes the second coming of the Lord.
“Settled accounts with them.” “Settling
accounts” symbolizes the judgment before the seat of Christ (See 2Cor. 5:10;
Rom. 14:10). This judgment is different from the judgment before the throne of
Christ’s glory in v.31-46 in this chapter. The former is towards believers and
the latter the world.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The accounts between believers and the Lord will
be “settled” one day sooner or later and therefore we should retain in our
hearts that how we will hand over our accounts.
2) Watchmen Nee wrote a poem
“I’m daily gazing at
the light out of the Judgment seat
that all my living and my works may stand
the test of fire”.
Matt. 25:20 “‘So
he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents
saying
‘Lord
you delivered to me five talents; look
I have
gained five more talents besides them.'”
YLT: “and he who did
receive the five talents having come
brought other five talents
saying
`Sir
five talents thou didst deliver to me; lo
other five talents did I gain
besides them.”
Spiritual Meaning: note that it is “the
lord came” in v.19 and here it is that servant who “came”. The previous verse
symbolizes that the Lord comes in the clouds of air; this verse symbolizes that
believers are caught up to the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air (See 1Thess.
4:17).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) All the service of believers on earth today will
be handed over before the Lord one by one in future (See 1Cor. 3:10-15).
Therefore all our deeds on earth today will be remembered in heaven (See Matt.
6:20) and they will also be remembered in the everlasting age (See Luke. 16:9).
2) The effect of our works today all belongs to the
Lord and we will give account before the Lord in future. Therefore we should
never have all to ourselves.
Matt. 25:21 “His lord said to him
‘Well done
good and faithful servant; you were faithful
over a few things
I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy
of your lord.'”
YLT: “`And his lord said
to him
Well done
servant
good and faithful
over a few things thou wast
faithful
over many things I will set thee; enter into the joy of thy lord.”
Meaning of Words: “good”: well
good
deed; “faithful”: trustworthy
trustful.
Literal Meaning: “good and faithful
servant” “Good” indicates good intention and motive; “faithful” indicates good
attitude and performance.
Spiritual Meaning: “a few things”
symbolize works in the Lord in this life; “many things” symbolize works that we
will do in the kingdom in future; “ruler” symbolizes to reign; “Enter into the
joy of your lord” symbolizes the reward of the kingdom.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) What the Lord demands us is not the greatness
and prosperity of works but the “goodness” and “faithfulness”. Though Stephen
did not do great work for the Lord (See Acts. 7) and he failed in men’s sight
he was “good and faithful” in the Lord’s sight.
2) “Good and faithful” is in contrast with “wicked
and lazy” in v.26 and therefore “good” indicates to mind the things of the Lord
and faithful indicates to be diligent and not slothful.
3) No matter how many things we had done for the
Lord
there are only “a few things”. They are only the preparations that we
have to experience in order to rule “many things” in future; the true services
of believers are “many things” in the everlasting age.
4) We always think that we have served too much
however
these are “a few things” in the Lord’s sight; if we could see all the
service in the Lord’s sight
we will do cheerfully.
5) To those who are faithful in “a few things” in
this life
their rewards are to bear more responsibilities (“many things”) in
future.
6) Those who serve faithfully today will receive
the authority of a “ruler”. Whoever will be great among believers
let him be
your minister (See Matt. 20:26).
7) The Lord Jesus
for the joy that was set before
Him
endured the cross
despising the shame (See Heb. 12:2). We should also be
faithful to the end
for that we could enter “the joy of your lord” in future.
8) It is the great reward to enter into the joy
with the Lord and it exceedingly surpasses the glory and status in the kingdom
because joy is the satisfaction of one’s inner heart and it cannot be compared
with the outer gain.
9) Though believers have joy today (See 1Pet. 1:8)
we will receive greater joy in future (See Pill. 1:23; 1John. 3:2); the joy
that believers rejoice today is restrained by their capacities (hearts) (See
John. 15:11-12)
however
the joy that we will rejoice in future is baptized in
the joy of Christ (“enter into the joy of your lord”) and it is unlimited and
immeasurable.
Matt. 25:22 “He also who had received
two talents came and said
‘Lord
you delivered to me
two talents; look
I have gained two more talents besides them.'”
YLT: “`And he who also
did receive the two talents having come
said
Sir
two talents thou didst
deliver to me; lo
other two talents I did gain besides them.”
Enlightenment in the Word: the one who had received two talents did not envy
others because his gifts are not as good as others. Contrarily
he is faithful
towards what the lord has entrusted to him all the same. This manner makes him
not be inferior to the one who had received five talents.
Matt. 25:23 “His lord said to him
‘Well done
good and faithful servant; you have been
faithful over a few things
I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into
the joy of your lord.'”
YLT: “`His lord said to
him
Well done
servant
good and faithful
over a few things thou wast
faithful
over many things I will set thee; enter into the joy of thy lord.”
Literal Meaning: note that: the
lord’s reward to the one who had received two talents is the same with that to
the one who had received five talents (See v.21). This shows that the lord
values the faithfulness of servants instead of the amount of the effect of
their works.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Concerning the giving of accounts that day
the
Lord will see the degree of our faithfulness and whether we have completely
used the gifts that are given by the Lord instead of the amount of our works’
effect.
2) The measure of gifts is unrelated to the reward;
the gifts that we have received could be inferior to that of others
however
we should not be less faithful than others.
3) What the Lord wants us to be responsible for is
faithfulness and therefore we should never envy others who have more gifts or
complain that our gifts are fewer.
Matt. 25:24 “‘Then
he who had received the one talent came and said
‘Lord
I knew you to be a hard man
reaping where you have not sown
and gathering
where you have not scattered seed.”
YLT: “`And he also who
hath received the one talent having come
said
Sir
I knew thee
that thou art
a hard man
reaping where thou didst not sow
and gathering from whence thou
didst not scatter;”
Literal Meaning: “I knew you to be a
hard man” “Knew” in original means outer and objective knowledge instead of
inner and subjective knowledge; “hard” means that one’s heart is as hard as the
nether millstone. This servant held that his servant is a severe and harsh man.
“Reaping where you have not sown
and
gathering where you have not scattered seed.” This sentence is a common saying
used by the ancient farmers: under normal circumstances
sowing should be done
first before reaping and then there will be harvest; when thrashing grains
men
first thresh grains in the wind and then gather the seeds together. Therefore
the whole sentence means that “one wants to gain without paying.” It is just
like the pharaoh in
Spiritual Meaning: “he who had received
the one talent came.” “Came” indicates to come to the judgment-seat of Christ.
This proves that he is not only saved
but also caught up in the clouds
to
meet the Lord in the air.
Matt. 25:25 “And I was afraid
and
went and hid your talent in the ground. Look
there you have what is yours.'”
YLT: “and having been
afraid
having gone away
I hid thy talent in the earth; lo
thou hast thine
own!”
Literal Meaning: “I was afraid.” He
was afraid that he may lose the money and could not give account in future and
therefore he did not dare to use the money.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Those who are timid------they are afraid of the
Lord
men
failure and less effort. They just let the world
sins
the flesh
and other earthly persons and things cover up their gifts and consequently they
accomplish nothing.
2) We should not serve the Lord passively and we
should use the Lord’s gifts actively and positively.
Matt. 25:26 “‘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.”
YLT: “`And his lord
answering said to him
Evil servant
and slothful
thou hadst known that I reap
where I did not sow
and I gather whence I did not scatter!”
Literal Meaning: “you wicked and lazy
servant.” “Wicked and lazy” is in contrast with “good and faithful” (See v.21
23). “Wicked” indicates that he did not obey the will of the lord and prated
against his lord; “lazy” indicates that he lacks works and behaviors and he did
not carry out the lord’s commitment.
“You knew that” It did not mean that the
Lord admit that the servant’s evaluation of the lord is correct. The lord meant
that “since you believed that I am that kind of people
then you should…”.
Therefore the lord judges him out of his own mouth (See Luke. 19:22).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) We should know Christ more
lest we may become
“wicked” servants in His eyes because of our ignorance.
2) If we have wasted our life and have not lived
for the Lord
so that we are barren and unfruitful (See 2Pet. 1:8)
we are
“lazy” servants.
3) The Lord will judge us out of our own mouths.
Matt. 25:27 “So you ought to have
deposited my money with the bankers
and at my coming I would have received
back my own with interest.”
YLT: “it behoved thee
then to put my money to the money-lenders
and having come I had received mine
own with increase.”
Literal Meaning: “the bankers” is a
word in the original. It is transformed from four-foot which is usually seen in
the doorway of Greek banks. The bankers were sitting besides small tables to
change money (Sees Matt. 21:12). However
“the bankers” do not indicate those
who change money in the
“My own with interest” “Interest”
originally indicates offspring. Here it is transformed to describe the
offspring of money
i.e. interest on money loaned (as a produce).
Spiritual Meaning: “my money”
symbolizes spiritual gifts; “the bankers” symbolizes the church; producing
“interest” symbolizes to bear spiritual fruits.
“Have deposited my money with the
bankers” meant that at least we could let other saints in the church share and
use our spiritual gifts
for example: when the church preaches the glad
tidings
though we are unable to bear witness or give the message
at least we
could bring friends to listen to the glad tidings
pray for the gathering of
gospel and etc and in this way we could help others to bear fruits of gospel.
Matt. 25:28 “So take the talent from
him
and give it to him who has ten talents.”
YLT: “`Take therefore
from him the talent
and give to him having the ten talents
”
Matt. 25:29 “‘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.’”
YLT: “for to every one
having shall be given
and he shall have overabundance
and from him who is not
having
even that which he hath shall be taken from him;”
Spiritual Meaning: today everyone who
uses gifts and has abundance in the dispensation of the church (“everyone who
has”) will receive more gifts (“he will have abundance”) in future in the
dispensation of kingdom. However
if someone hides gifts today so that he is barren
and unfruitful today
the few gifts that he has today will “be taken away”
completely in future. This principle applies to service today: the more you
have
the more the Lord will give to you; the moment you begin to stop making
progress
what you already have will be taken back.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Concerning love and other spiritual gifts
the
more one loves others
the more love will be given to him and vice versa.
2) “For to everyone who has
more will be given.”
This sentence shows the principle of abundance: if we do not detain the
abundant Christ and are willing to supply others
as a result of that we will
be more abundant.
3) When the Lord comes
the Lord not only judges
and punishes men passively but also deals kindly with men and blesses men
positively.
Matt. 25:30 “And cast the unprofitable
servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
YLT: “and the
unprofitable servant cast ye forth to the outer darkness; there shall be the
weeping and the gnashing of the teeth.”
Meaning of Words: “unprofitable”:
useless
worthless
unmeritorious.
Literal Meaning: “the unprofitable
servant” shows that the servant who did not fulfill his duty is unprofitable to
the lord.
Spiritual Meaning: “the outer darkness”
does not mean the hell (lake of fire) but the realm which is out of the
glorious countenance of the Lord; when the Lord comes
the failing believers
will be punished by the Lord and even be shut out of the door of the kingdom of
a thousand years (See v. 10) and they will be contrite and ponder over their
mistakes there (“be weeping and gnashing of teeth”).
Enlightenment in the Word: believers who are unwilling to use gifts are
unprofitable in the Lord’s sight and they make the Lord suffer loss.
Matt. 25:31 “‘When
the Son of Man comes in His glory
and all the holy angels with Him
then He
will sit on the throne of His glory.”
YLT: “`And whenever the
Son of Man may come in his glory
and all the holy messengers with him
then he
shall sit upon a throne of his glory;”
Literal Meaning: “when the Son of Man
comes in His glory” “The Son of Man” is the special title for the Lord in His
Kingdom (See Matt. 13:41); this kingdom will be delivered up to God the Father
later in the future (See 1Cor. 15:24) and it will become the
“He will sit on the throne of His
glory.” This paragraph of the scriptures obviously records that the Lord sits
on “the throne” for judgment. According to the records of the Bible
there are
at least four kinds of judgments after the Lord comes:
a) Judgment before the judgment-seat of
Christ: it is before the kingdom of a thousand years and it is to determine
whether one is qualified to enter the heavenly part of the kingdom of a
thousand years. Therefore the targets of this judgment are believes in the
church (See 2Cor. 5:10; 1Pet. 4:17) that include both living and dead ones (See
1Thess. 4:16-17).
b) Judgment before “the throne of
Christ’s glory”: it is also before the kingdom of a thousand years. It is to
determine whether one is qualified to be the earthly people of the kingdom of a
thousand years and therefore the targets of this judgment are all the living
nations when the Lord comes (See Acts. 10:42; 2Tim. 4:1)
i.e. Gentile
unbelievers (See Jer. 3:17). As for the Jewish unbelievers
they will also be
judged (See Matt. 19:28). The result will determine that who is able to inherit
the
c) Judgment before “the great white
throne”: it is after the kingdom of a thousand years and before the new heaven
and the new earth. It is to determine who will suffer the punishment of the
eternal fire and its targets are dead ones who do not partake in the first
resurrection (See Rev. 20:5-6). They will be judged after resurrection and then
be cast into the lake of fire and this is the second death (See Rev. 20:11-15).
d) Judgment towards the fallen angels
who have committed sins in the last day: in this judgment the overcoming
Christians will be Judges (See 1Cor. 6:3; Jude. 6; 2Pet. 2:4).
Enlightenment in the Word: today the Lord’s throne is “the throne of grace”
and therefore we are able to come unto it and find grace to help in time of
need (See Heb. 4:16); however
in the future it is “the throne of His glory”
which is holy and it is to execute judgments.
Matt. 25:32 “All the nations will be
gathered before Him
and He will separate them one from another
as a shepherd
divides his sheep from the goats.”
YLT: “and gathered
together before him shall be all the nations
and he shall separate them from
one another
as the shepherd doth separate the sheep from the goats
”
The
Background: in the
Moreover
sheep are gentle by nature and
goats are malicious and pugnacious by nature.
Literal Meaning: “all the nations
will be gathered before Him” “All the nations” are “Gentiles” or “people of all
nations” in the original who are different from the Jews and believers. When
the Lord comes
He will gather all the Gentile believers to the throne of His
glory to be judged.
“He will separate them one from
another.” The judgment of the Lord’s second coming is to “separate” men into
two kinds---good and bad. It is so both to believers (See v.2
21
23
26) and
the world.
“As a shepherd divides his sheep from
the goats.” In the Bible
there are three kinds of sheep: a) believers (See
John. 10:11; Heb. 13:20); b) the Jews (See Ps. 80:1; Jer. 23:1-4; 31:10); c)
the Gentiles (See Ps. 100:1-3). The sheep and goats here indicate Gentile
unbelievers.
Matt. 25:33 “And He will set the sheep
on His right hand
but the goats on the left.”
YLT: “and he shall set
the sheep indeed on his right hand
and the goats on the left.”
Literal Meaning: “set the sheep on
His right hand” “Right” indicates the side of honor and blessing (See 1Kings.
2:19; Ps. 45:9).
Matt. 25:34 “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:”
YLT: “`Then shall the
king say to those on his right hand
Come ye
the blessed of my Father
inherit
the reign that hath been prepared for you from the foundation of the world;”
Literal Meaning: “you blessed of My
Father” “My Father” is the father of the Lord instead of their father;
“blessed” indicates the blessing on earth
i.e. the blessing that God had
predestinated to give men when He created the word (See Gen. 1:28) instead of
the heavenly blessing of believers (See Eph. 1:3). Men had lost the blessing of
creation that God had given men and now God gives it to the righteous that the
sheep stand for again.
“Inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world.” They are still people on the earthly part in
the future in the kingdom of a thousand years and enjoy the kingdom which is
prepared for them from the foundation of the world (See Rev. 12:5; Zech.
8:20-23).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The world who are as gentle as sheep walk by
nature and their hearts of sense of right and wrong work (See Rom. 2:14-15).
Their whole lives are in general restrained
managed (shepherded) by God and
therefore they are blessed by God.
2) If we have done something good and profitable
these are the reasons of God’s blessings.
Matt. 25:35 “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;”
YLT: “for I did hunger
and ye gave me to eat; I did thirst
and ye gave me to drink; I was a stranger
and ye received me;”
Spiritual Meaning: “I” here is the same
with the “I” in Acts. 9:4. It indicates the expanded body of Christ and
therefore it includes all the children of God. The Lord Jesus is a Jewish
according to the flesh and the expanded “I” also includes the Jews.
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The Lord suffers the pain that we suffer with us
together and He is able to feel our sufferings.
2) Every detail that we do on the children of God
will be remembered by the Lord.
3) How we treat others actually becomes the basis
to divide whether one is good or not. Therefore we should not neglect men that
we meet everyday (we may meet someone only one time in all our life) at will
(See Heb. 13:2).
Matt. 25:36 “I was naked and you
clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.'”
YLT: “naked
and ye put
around me; I was infirm
and ye looked after me; in prison I was
and ye came
unto me.”
Literal Meaning: “hungry
thirsty and
a stranger” (See v.35) and “naked
sick and in prison” here all describe the
pain that the Jews and believers suffer during the period of the Great Tribulation.
Matt. 25:37 “‘Then
the righteous will answer Him
saying
‘Lord
when did we see You hungry and feed You
or thirsty and give You drink?”
YLT: “`Then shall the
righteous answer him
saying
Lord
when did we see thee hungering
and we
nourished? or thirsting
and we gave to drink?”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The true good works are unconscious and they are
the outpouring of love and only these are of great value before the Lord.
2) Anyone who is full of selves and thinks that he
has done many things for the Lord will contrarily be blamed by the Lord
“I
never knew (praised) you” (See Matt. 7:22-23).
Matt. 25:38 “When did we see You a
stranger and take You in
or naked and clothe You?”
YLT: “and when did we see
thee a stranger
and we received? or naked
and we put around?”
Matt. 25:39 “Or when did we see You
sick
or in prison
and come to You?'”
YLT: “and when did we see
thee infirm
or in prison
and we came unto thee?”
Enlightenment in the Word: it shows that our good works such as giving others
foods and drinks
clothing others
taking others in and coming to those who are
sick or in prison are justified by the Lord. The Lord calls those who do these
things “the righteous”.
Matt. 25:40 “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.'”
YLT: “`And the king
answering
shall say to them
Verily I say to you
Inasmuch as ye did [it] to
one of these my brethren the least to me ye did [it].”
Spiritual Meaning: “one of the least of
these My brethren” “Brethren” indicate believers (See Matt. 12:48-50) and the
Jews (See Ps. 22:22-23).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) Therefore take heed that we despise not one of
these little ones (See Matt. 18:10).
2) When we do any good work to brothers
we should
keep the attitude of doing it on the Lord and should not hope for the reward of
thanksgiving from brother.
3) Only through the manifestation of behavior of
loving brothers will men be able to truly comprehend the love of God. The
reward of kingdom of heaven is to those who are willing to serve others in
disregard of any recompense.
4) No matter how little or weak a believer is
the
Lord is able to enter his feelings and feels as though he experiences the same.
How sympathetic He is (See Heb. 4:15)!
Matt. 25:41 “‘Then
He will also say to those on the left hand
‘Depart
from Me
you cursed
into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his
angels:”
YLT: “Then shall he say
also to those on the left hand
Go ye from me
the cursed
to the fire
the
age-during
that hath been prepared for the Devil and his messengers;”
Literal Meaning: “you cursed” “You
cursed” indicates those who have been condemned and they are exactly opposite
to “you blessed” (See v.34) (See Num. 24:9).
“Into the everlasting fire prepared for
the devil and his angels” “His angels” indicate the angels that fell with Satan
(See 2Pet. 2:4; Jude. 6; Rev. 12:7). The end of the evil unbelievers is the
lake of fire which never quenches (See Rev. 20:10
14-15; 21:8).
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) What God has prepared for men is originally
blessing instead of curse; the thoughts that God thinks towards us are thoughts
of peace and not of evil (See Jer. 29:11). If men bring about curse and
misfortune
they suffer from their own actions.
2) The lake of fire is not originally prepared for
men. However
if men adhere obstinately to errors and follow the devil and its
angels to rebel God
their end is to suffer pain of the lake of fire with them.
Matt. 25:42 “for I was hungry and you
gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink;”
YLT: “for I did hunger
and ye gave me not to eat; I did thirst
and ye gave me not to drink;”
Enlightenment in the Word: they are condemned because they did not concern
others’ bitterness and it shows the importance to feel compassion for others.
For he shall have judgment without mercy
that has shown no mercy; and mercy
rejoices against judgment (See James. 2:12).
Matt. 25:43 “I was a stranger and you
did not take Me in
naked and you did not clothe Me
sick and in prison and you
did not visit Me.'”
YLT: “a stranger I was
and ye did not receive me; naked
and ye put not around me; infirm
and in
prison
and ye did not look after me.”
Matt. 25:44 “‘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?'”
YLT: “`Then shall they
answer
they also
saying
Lord
when did we see thee hungering
or thirsting
or a stranger
or naked
or infirm
or in prison
and we did not minister to
thee?”
Literal Meaning: the previous
righteous men do good works unconsciously and the evil men here fell nothing
when seeing others’ bitterness; one is unself and the other do not concern
others and this is the difference.
The words of v.31-46 in this chapter are
specially spoken concerning how unbelievers of the world treat Christians and
the Jews in the Great Tribulation.
Matt. 25:45 “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.'”
YLT: “`Then shall he
answer them
saying
Verily I say to you
Inasmuch as ye did [it] not to one of
these
the least
ye did [it] not to me.”
Enlightenment in the Word:
1) The principle of the world is that the more one
does
the more mistakes he may make; the less one does
the fewer mistakes he
may make; if one does nothing
he won’t make a mistake. However
the spiritual
principle is that if one does not do what he should do
he makes a glaring
mistake.
2) Those who think themselves that they are of
spirit and are unwilling to take reckless action sometimes are too cautious.
Even when the Lord has moved him again and again
he still hesitates to move
forward and we have to know that this also offends the Lord.
Matt. 25:46 “And these will go away
into everlasting punishment
but the righteous into eternal life.’”
YLT: “And these shall go
away to punishment age-during
but the righteous to life age-during.’”
Spiritual Meaning: “these will go away
into everlasting punishment” “everlasting punishment” indicates to enter into
the everlasting fire (See v.41)
i.e. to be cast into the lake of fire (See
Rev. 20:15).
“But the righteous into eternal life.”
The righteous who do not believe in the Lord still partake in the new heaven
and the new earth. However
they are different from believers: believers “have”
eternal life and they “enter into” eternal life. Having eternal life is that
life enters into them; entering into eternal life is that they enter into the
realm of eternal life. Those who enter into eternal life do not have eternal
life in them and therefore they still need the leaves of the tree for the
healing (See Rev. 22:2).
III.
Outlines of the Spiritual Lessons
The Typification of Ten Virgins
I. Both the wise and foolish virgins typify
Christians:
A.
They are all virgins from first to last (v.1
11)------sinners are adulterous
women in the Lord’s eyes (See John. 8:3-7).
B.
They all take their lamps with them (v.3-4)------sinners are unable to shine to
bear witness (See Matt. 5:14-16).
C.
There is oil in their lamps
otherwise
the foolish virgins would not say
“our
lamps are going out.” (v.8)------the Holy Spirit (oil) is not in sinners.
D.
They both went out to meet the bridegroom (v.1
6)------sinners do not “meet”
the Lord and they are “gathered” by the Lord before the seat of judgment (See
v.32).
E.
They arose when they heard a cry at midnight (v.6
See 1Thess. 4:16)------they
both partake in the first resurrection; the dead sinners will wait and then
resurrect and be judged after the kingdom of a thousand years (See Rev. 20:12).
F.
They both arose and trimmed their lamps (v.7)------trimming lamps is making
preparations for oil and sinners do not need to prepare.
II. The five wise virgins typify the overcoming
Christians:
A.
They took oil in their vessels during their lifetime (v.4)------they not only
have the Holy Spirit in their spirits but also let their whole persons
(vessels) be baptized with the Holy Spirit (See Rom. 9:21
23-24).
B.
They all went in with the bridegroom to the wedding (v.10)------they all
partake in the marriage supper of the Lamb (See Rev. 19:9).
III. The five foolish virgins typify the failing
Christians:
A.
They took their lamps and took no oil with them during their lifetime
(v.3)------they are only born from above and have the dwelling Holy Spirit in
them (See Rom. 8:9) and they have not been filled with the Holy Spirit (See
Eph. 5:18).
B.
They went to buy oil until the Lord comes (v.9-10)------they pay price to take
oil after they have arisen.
C.
They are shut out of the door (v.11-12)------they do not partake in the
marriage supper of the Lamb.
The Typification of Three Kinds of Servants
I. The servants who had received different amount
of money all typify Christians:
A.
They are all servants (v.14)------servants mean “slaves” and they are bought
with the precious blood by the Lord to belong to Himself (See 1Cor. 7:22-23).
B. The
Lord delivered his goods to them (v.14)------those who have not been saved are
unworthy to receive goods of the Lord.
C. The
Lord gave them money (v.15)------those who have not been saved cannot have
spiritual gifts.
II. Servants who had received five talents and two
talents typify the overcoming Christians:
A.
They both traded with them (v.16-17)------they diligently use spiritual gifts.
B.
They both made another money (v.16-17)------they completely use spiritual gifts.
C.
They both were praised by the Lord (v.21
v.23)------they receive the reward of
kingdom from the Lord.
D. The
only difference is that the amount of money they made is different
(v.16-17)------the measure of gifts that they have received and the greatness
of the effect of their works are different.
III. The servant who had received one talent
typifies the failing Christians:
A. He
misunderstood the Lord as a hard man (v.24)------though the Lord is severe
He
is very merciful.
B. He
hid the money because he “was afraid” (v.25)------he wastes spiritual gifts in
the world.
C. He
was blamed as “wicked and lazy” and the “unprofitable” servant (v.26
30)------the servant with wrong intention and lazy behaviors is unprofitable to
the Lord’s goods.
D. He
was cast into the outer darkness and there will be weeping and gnashing
(v.30)------he will be punished in the dispensation of kingdom.
The Typification of Sheep and Goats
I. When the Lord comes
He will gather the nations
who are alive and execute judgment over them (v.31-32).
II. Sheep typify the righteous and they inherit the
kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world and enter into the
realm of eternal life because they treat one of the least of the Lord’s
brothers well (v.34-40
46b)
III. The goats typify evil men and they enter the
everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels because they lack love
to one of the least of the Lord’s brothers (v.41-46a).
──
Caleb Huang《Christian Digest Bible
Commentary Series》
Translated by Sharon Ren