In the parable of the talents Jesus likens His kingdom to a man who entrusted to His slaves huge amounts of his treasure to further his interests in the world before departing and leaving them to their task. After his quick departure two of his servants immediately went to work gaining an amount equal to…
In the Olivet Discourse Jesus has warned His disciples that they must keep watch lest they be swept away in the flood of destruction that would overtake the unbelieving Jews. They had rejected Him as their Messiah and the way of peace He came to provide, in favor of a worldly messiah who would provide…
Recall in the parable of the talents that the man, who represents Christ, was about to go on a journey. Having accomplished the work He came to do (Joh 17:4), He was going to depart out of this world to the Father (Joh 13:1). And so calling his own slaves, who represent His disciples, He…
In the Olivet discourse Jesus has warned His disciples about the need to be on the alert lest His coming catch them by surprise, and is now expounding in a series of parables upon the implications to them of what it means to keep watch. Here in the parable of the talents He likens the…
Recall that upon forsaking the temple to the religious leaders who would not have His Spirit fill it, Jesus predicted that the time would come when not one stone would be left upon another. Not wishing to be swept away in that forthcoming destruction, His disciples on the Mount of Olives overlooking the temple mount…
In the parable of the ten virgins, the foolish virgins who had gone out with the wise to meet the Bridegroom lacked a reserve of the oil of God’s Holy Spirit to last them through the darkest part of the night. As a result, when the clamor or shout came announcing His arrival and calling…
In the previous verses, Jesus has told of ten virgins who went out to meet the Bridegroom. They represent those who would come to the wedding feast to become part of the Bride of Christ, and especially those religious leaders who attend to the Bride as bridesmaids—like the apostles themselves whom the Lord had put…
Recall that lacking oil for their lamps to go out and meet the Bridegroom, the foolish virgins wanted those whom they deemed to have more than they to share from their supply. But they would not, lest they not have enough for themselves. For whatever reserve of God’s Spirit that even the most righteous might…
In the parable of the ten virgins we have seen that the foolish virgins represent those who are lacking a full supply of the oil of God’s Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who leads God’s people into holiness and it is by means of the Holy Spirit that those who are invited to the…
We have seen that when the foolish virgins arose from their slumber they went to trim their lamps or put them in order, which speaks of adorning the doctrine of God by means of good works. It is in this way that Christ’s Bride arrays herself with the fine linen or righteous acts of the…