The Talents

As we approach our study tonight I remind you that Jesus is teaching about judgment, but judgment on Israel

This judgment follows His return

How do we Know this is a Parable?

Matthew 25:14 KJV 1900

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

The words “is as” are our clue

This parable is connected with the previous one concerning the 10 virgins

The judgment is to determine who is saved and who is not.

2 Questions this Parable Raises

Who are the characters in this parable?

The traveling man

The Lord

The servants

The nation of Israel during the tribulation

What does this parable explain?

That there is an individual accountability for our actions

Does God want all men saved?

Will God make anyone get saved?

Whose fault is it if you go to hell?

Compare and Contrast with Luke 19

Luke 19:11-27

In Luke there was an equal distribution

This speaks of an equal opportunity to obey and serve

However...

Matthew 25:15

In Matthew we notice that the distribution was according to ability

Here the emphasis is on individual accountability

The details of this parable

3 servants ( picture of Israel) given different amounts

The amount depended on their ability

The lord delivered to them a portion of his goods before leaving the country

He expected to return, but didn't say when

Christ went away, not knowing the hour of His return

The servants were expected to make the best of what they'd been trusted with

2 servants got busy right away

They each took their talents and spread them around in different places gaining interest and increasing their amount

1 servant was lazy, blaming his lack of effort on being “afraid” v. 25

He had been given 1 talent (that was all he could handle after all) and rather than spreading his talent around trying to increase it, he buried it

After a long period the master returns v.19

Now its judgment time for the servants

They had no idea when he was going to return

They had the responsibility of handling his affairs according to their ability

The master expected them to do their job

The master calls each servant to him to be inspected

2 meet his expectations and are rewarded

1 is cast out for good

The explanation of the parable

Israel is God's chosen nation (Exodus 19:5-6)

They were intended to be the light of the world, spreading the message of God

They failed and were put on the shelf for centuries

God, in His mercy, sent Christ the “true light” to bring salvation to all men (John 1:9; 8:12; Isa. 60:1-3)

During the tribulation Israel will again be restored to be the “light” of God shining the way of salvation

The servants represent Israel

The master is Christ

As the Messiah returning to set up His kingdom

Now He has gone away, but has promised to return

When Christ returns, prior to setting up the kingdom, He will judge Israel based on their faithfulness

Those who demonstrate faith will enter the kingdom

Those who don't...v.30

What Does This Parable Teach Us?

Again we see that this judgment is to determine who is saved and who isn't

This does not teach that whosoever is 'good enough' will be OK

This teaches that whosoever is saved will do what is expected

This judgment will take place after the second coming, after Israel is regathered and before the Kingdom is set up

Again this parable teaches that once this happens there will be no chance to repent