Matthew

Lesson 11Matthew Chapter 25

We now turn our study to the end of the Olivet discourse, Chapter 25 of Matthew. This chapter will focus on those activities around his second coming, the setting up of his kingdom, and the judgment of the nations.

Matthew

What an exciting time it will be, as we return with Christ and begin the tasks involved in establishing, and then administering, his earthly kingdom. What will that be like, and what will our role be? Perhaps the Holy Spirit will provide us some insight into these days that lie ahead.


Now let’s look at Matthew Chapter 25 and answer the following questions:

  1. Read Matthew 25:1-13. What is the primary message of this parable? (See 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11.)
  2. Who is being judged in this parable? (and it can’t be Christians, since they came back with Christ)
  3. In the parable of the ten virgins, what does the oil for their vessels represent? (For example, see 1 John 2:20,27)
  4. What might you think of as examples of the virgins without oil, as mentioned in Matthew 25:11-12?
  5. Read Matthew 25:14-30. What is the basic message of this parable?
  6. If we believe that the primary lesson here is serving the King while he is away and being held accountable for our actions upon his return; what do the "talents" in this parable actually represent? Do they represent talents, likes gifts or abilities? Do they represent money, wealth, budgets, and how well we managed our money? Or could these "talents" that we have been entrusted with mean something else? If so, what; and how would we make them fruitful or increase, as the Master desired of his servants in this parable?
  7. Following his judgment of the nation of Israel in the beginning of this chapter, and of individual Jews as we just read in the second parable; Christ now turns to the nations outside of Israel, as he separates the sheep from the goats. Every individual alive at the time of his second coming will face this judgment. Some will enter into his millennial reign with him, others will go with Satan and will face the same plight at the Great White Throne judgment following his Millennial reign. What is the basis by which he separates them? (See Matt. 25:34-40.)
  8. What is Christ’s title, as identified in Matthew 25:34?
  9. Jesus uses the phrase "one of the least of these my brethren" in Matthew 25:40 and again in verse 45. Who are the "these" that he is referring to, and when did these acts of righteousness or unrighteousness take place?

Concluding Chapter 25, Christ has now answered all of the questions that the disciples asked him at the beginning of Chapter 24. With the judgment of the nation and people of Israel, and the judgment of the Gentiles now completed, Christ will establish his millennial reign. All those who have followed him as their Lord and Savior will partake in that kingdom. How strange to believe that at the end of the 1,000 years, in spite of Christ’s reign, Satan will once again lead a quick revolt that will lead to the final judgment, destruction of this earth, and the coming of a new heaven and earth.

I hope our study has greatly increased your faith and trust in God and in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My prayer today is that you already know him as your personal savior and that when he calls for us to go home you will be there with us as we prepare to return and reign with Him.

May God richly bless you as you study His Holy Word.

In Christ,

Wes

[2017]

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