There is a noticeable sense of urgency about the New Testament. Most of the NT was written with the storm clouds of AD 70 looming up. The Jewish state was about to go, the Mosaic order was being wrapped up.
The epistles foreshadowed Nero’s insane rule that would traumatise the ecclesias as a roaring lion seeking to devour. Those fiery persecutions wrought by Nero and his successors would soon bring a reign of terror, a literal fiery trial and the mass execution of believers. Even the apostles Paul, Peter and John would not be spared. Those tribulations must have been so shattering to the faithful, yet a great test of their faith. No wonder the coming of the Lord figures so largely in their prayers and hopes; “Brethren, the time is short”, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand”, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”.
In the Olivet prophecy the Lord gave his disciples stark warnings about the imminence of AD 70 and the signs they should look for to know that the end was nigh. The approach of AD 70 brought much suffering upon the ecclesias, besides wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues. They would endure persecution, false teachers, false messiahs and betrayal (Luke 21:8,12,16). Those things must have been so disappointing and perplexing, but they characterised the testing end times.
Our end times
We ought not to marvel that in these last days, we are assailed by some of the same distressing conditions, the times of trouble, the fear and uncertainty of the world and an array of unique challenges. We also pray that the days may be shortened (Matt 24:22).
We note the words, “the love of many shall wax cold”. We have felt the chilling winds of iniquity blowing over us. There are many examples, including the icy breeze of humanism, with its gospel of self, the gospel of equality and the tide of feminist activism. The world no longer has a moral base or any respect for divine values, with long-held moral values being openly challenged. Today we have sceptics and atheists who confuse and destroy the faith of our young people. We are under enormous pressure from technology. Thirty years ago mobile phones were unheard of, ‘the net’ was for fishing and ‘the web’ was for spiders! Now we have iPads, Facebook and YouTube, which give instant access to every form of entertainment and social networking, while wasting so much time in the process. Everything unprofitable is instantly accessible and the pressure to keep up is immense. Even the use of hard copy books is threatened and reading is becoming a lost art. Evil is portrayed as good and good as evil. Truly iniquity abounds. Our challenge is to “endure unto the end”, knowing that those that do “shall be saved” (v13). We are to remain steadfast, even if others stray.
The series of parables in Matthew 24 and 25 were among the last which the Lord gave, and all are characterised by the warning to “be ready” (v44; 25:10). The Lord was desperate to get this message across because he knew that iniquity would abound and that many would be affected.
Words written just for us!
Only twice in the Apocalypse does the Lord take the pen from John’s hand to personally write his own verses. Revelation 16:15 is a verse for today because it pinpoints our historic position; “Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments”. Jesus Christ concludes his personal message with the threefold warning that he knew we would need (22:7,12,20).
The last vital words of our Lord are “Surely I come quickly (suddenly)”. It is not the speed of his return but its unexpected timing that we are warned of. The meaning is absolutely clear – don’t be caught asleep or unprepared. The Lord knew that some would not be ready for his sudden appearance; for them his sacrifice would have been in vain. The Lord spoke of the days of Noah and Lot (24:38–39) and the common theme was, “they knew not until …” They ignored God and scorned Noah until the rain bucketed down.
Do we read the signs?
Today our world is “willingly ignorant” of the food that came in Noah’s day and of God’s intentions to once more mightily shake the earth. The effect of this ignorance has been devastating. Some we have loved are no longer with us. This age is like the days of Noah and Lot all over again. The signs are very evident; twisted values about marriage, society’s acceptance of the sins of Sodom, selfishness, violence, materialism, moral defiance and an obsession with all things material.
The parable from Matthew 24:42–51 prompts us to ask ourselves, “What kind of servant are we?” The Lord said, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (v42). What do we watch for? What are the big picture signs that have been around for some time?
We see Israel, the fig tree nation, blossoming and dwelling securely (Luke 21:30–32). We have seen Jerusalem 45 years in Jewish hands, and Israel is now 64 years old. Jesus said that this generation would not pass away until all things are fulfilled. Some of our members who saw the birth of the state of Israel in 1948 are still with us. As they age and their ranks thin, they are walking witnesses to how little time we may have left.
Consider the impending financial meltdown. Men’s hearts are failing them for fear. Think of the impact upon us if economies were to collapse. Russia was in chaos 20 years ago but now has returned to the world stage with economic and military muscle. Led by an aggressive Putin, it is now poised to have a strangle-hold on Europe through its oil and gas supplies. In addition we see a nuclear Iran, an unstable Pakistan and Islamic militancy erupting in African states.
The Lord said, “When these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28). We must watch lest we become caught up in the spirit of this age and blinded to the reality of our times (v34).
Who is a faithful and wise servant?
The Lord will come at a time that is not obvious. The warning “they knew not” permeates this parable (Matt 24:36,39,42–44). We know that the Lord will come as a thief in the night (1 _ ess 5:2). That day will come as a surprise; an interruption to the normality of our daily life.
The Lord then gives two parables to answer his question, “Who then is a faithful and a wise servant?” (Matt 24:45). The parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants (v45–51) is about waiting faithfully. The parable of the Ten Virgins (25:1–13) is about having sufficient spiritual wisdom to withstand these evil times. We note that both parables give us a complete contrast in attitudes and outcomes. There is no middle ground or second chance here.
The evil servant is the one who inwardly gives up waiting (v48). At first his doubts are not obvious, but his actions eventually reveal he has stopped doing the positive things for others that he was commissioned to do. Two things inevitably happen. He damages his fellow servants and starts to become part of the world. He no longer heals and gives, but selfishly takes. Ultimately he gets the reward of a split personality – he is cut asunder! (v51).
The good servant continues to do what he has been asked to do, caring and nourishing Christ’s brethren (Matt 25:45). In the household all of us have been given this responsibility. The Lord uses an interesting word translated “household.” It is therapia (Gk) from which our word “therapy” comes. It indicates that the ecclesia must be a place of care, relief, healing and the binding up of wounds. We are to gladly serve, inspire, educate, give hope and joy, restore and heal. This is what is meant by our Lord’s words, “giving them meat in due season”. It has been correctly said that the ‘ecclesia is a hospital for wounded souls, and not a museum for saints.’
The parable of the Ten Virgins has a similar focus but with an emphasis on having extra “oil”. The key to success for the five wise virgins was their application to the mind of God, being ready for all occasions and able to withstand a long delay. The warning for us today is the same – to watch and to be ready (v13).
How then can we be faithful and wise stewards in these difficult times? Principally, we are to keep up our spiritual intake! We must have that extra oil. It is so easy for our interest in the things of the Spirit to fall away. Let us remember the words of Paul, “I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). This means a daily spiritual intake, attendance at Bible classes, reading the works of the Truth which will enable us to provide “meat” in due season to others. We need to test the winds of change, to face the challenges of the sceptics, and even the fiery darts of some who have left the Faith.
Let’s also keep life simple. Our age would deceive us by telling us that we must keep up with the latest and the best, but all these things come with the added cost of time and worry. The cares of this life and the ‘stuff in the house’ can distract us from what really matters. A man’s life consists not in the abundance of the things he possesses. The Scriptures repeatedly tell us that we cannot serve God and mammon, that we must be content with such things as we have and we must be thankful. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Let’s try living with less ‘stuff’. It is actually a great relief.
Let’s be encouraging!
As time goes on we are going to need each other more, especially if hard economic times hit us. Even now there are many suffering from the frailty of the flesh, or distressing family problems. Others are trying to cope with loneliness whilst some are assailed with doubts and confusion. We need to rekindle hospitality and spend profitable time together as true friends should do. We don’t ‘drop in’ as we used to. Somehow we have become insular.
We need to be more open about our feelings, and if hurting inside, seek much-needed encouragement. In these difficult days we are faced with many perplexities, with changes to the way things have traditionally been done. So let’s be encouraging! Let us focus on edifying one another. It’s easy to be critical and to wish for things to be as they were in the past. Let us work out what things really matter and speak a word in season to those in need.
We can lift up our heads! One of the amazing things about Jesus, when facing the crucifixion, was his ability to focus on coming “joy” (John 15:11,16– 20; 16:33; 17:13). Our sorrows make us focus on the better times to come, and on the joys set before us. We can take courage from God’s promise to wipe away all tears and to abolish death; to replace this with everlasting fellowship with God, Jesus Christ, the angels and the saints of all ages! Picture too the changes and relief our hands will bring to a suffering world – also part of the joy set before us.
When he comes, may the Lord find us giving careful thought as to how best we can inspire each other unto love and to good works.