Written ~ 02-02-2024
Read Matthew Chapter Twenty-Five
Matthew 25
Yesterday we read about the signs of the end times, chapter 24 gave us a very clear list of the events we should be watching for. Jesus gave us a warning to be ready and on guard. Chapter 25 continues with the call for His people to be ready. He gives examples of those who are faithful and ready for His return and those who are not. Jesus tells us what happens to those who do not ready their hearts and accept Him as Lord. This chapter is very clear about the fate of both the believer and the non-believer. “Anyone with ears should listen and understand.”
Let’s breakdown chapter 25, verses 25:1-13 is a parable about the ten bridesmaids. Verses 25:14-30 is a parable about the faithfulness of three servants. And the rest of the chapter, verses 25:31-46 talk about the Final Judgement.
When you read through the parable of the ten bridesmaids, which group do you identify with the most? Are you more like the five who were faithful and ready for the Lord’s return? Or do you see yourself more in the five who were not ready and are locked out of the Kingdom of Heaven?
Then as you read the parable of the three servants, how do you see your faithfulness in using the gifts God has given you to further His Kingdom? Are you celebrated? Or are you like the servant who did nothing for the Lord and is called useless and thrown into outer darkness?
It is very clear, once again, what will happen to those who choose not to accept the Lord as Savior and live their lives according to the Word of God.
In verses 25:31-33 it says,
31 “But when the Son of Man comes in His Glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit upon His Glorious Throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered in His presence, and He will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep at His Right Hand and the goats at His left.”
These verses are important to see the distinct difference between believers and non-believers. Those of us who are the faithful followers of Jesus Christ will be like sheep who are gathered to the Right Hand of the Glorious Lord. But those who are not faithful, those who did not heed the warnings and give their hearts and lives to the Savior will be separated as goats and be kept to the Lord’s left. In verse 25:34 it says,
34 “Then the King will say to those on His Right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.”
That’s right! The faithful servants, the one’s standing like sheep at the King’s Right Hand will inherit the Kingdom of God as their reward for honoring and giving glory to the Lord God Almighty! But what happens to the other group? The goats standing to the Lord’s left? Look at verses 25:41 and 46a,
41 “Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. 46a …they will go away into eternal punishment…”
This is a choice each of us make, individually. We either hear the voice of the Lord calling and run to Him and receive the gift of Salvation or we do not. There is no gray area for this decision. When we read verses 25:31-33, there are two groups, sheep and goats. There aren’t anymore than two, there isn’t a “maybe” group or a “so close” group. This is either/or.
My heart yearns for those who do not know the Lord personally, I pray that by reading these words you will draw closer to the Lord and your decision to follow Him will happen today, not a moment later. As it says in Matthew 24:36, “No one knows the day or the hour of the Lord’s return…except for the Father.” So we must be prepared, right now, with no delay.
If your heart already belongs to the Lord, then I give all glory and honor to God! But it’s not time for us to sit back and wait for the Lord’s return just so we can inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. No, we must be faithful servants and use the gifts God has given us to bring non-believers to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In Romans 10:17 it says, 17 “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” And in John 10:26-28 it says, 26 “…you don’t believe Me because you are not My sheep. 27 My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me…”
Pray for your non-believing loved ones that they will hear the voice of the Lord calling them to follow Him.
Remain faithful.
~AMEN~
- For those of you who are ready to place yourself, as a sheep, at the Lord’s Right Hand, pray this prayer of Salvation. Be apart of the group who inherits the Kingdom of God!
Dear Jesus, You know my heart, all the things I have done and said. Please forgive me for my unbelief. Please forgive me for all of my sins. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I believe You rose from the dead to give me freedom from sin and death. By faith through believing in Who You Are, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Come into my life, cleanse this heart of mine, white as snow. Help me not to doubt any longer and breathe life into me, fill me with Your light. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
- If you solemnly prayed this prayer, tell at least one person, so they can share in your joy!! I rejoice with you! All the angels in Heaven rejoice with you!
- It is very important to me that those who might be reading these journal pages of mine and don’t yet know the Lord Jesus Christ, that you make that decision. Today. Your heart and mind may not understand everything you have been reading, but if you open your heart to the truth of who Jesus is, you will be saved from sin and death. By the Power of the Holy Spirit you will be amazed at how quickly after giving your heart to the Lord your eyes and ears will be opened to the truth.