My RSS Feeds
Olivet Discourse
THE OLIVET DISCOURSE
Matthew Chapter 24
In Matthew 24 and 25 we have a detailed chronology of predicted events in relation to the nation Israel. Let's take a look.
A. In verses 1 and 2 Jesus announces the fifth cycle of discipline to Israel.
1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.
2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. (KJV)
B. In verse three the disciples ask Jesus three questions that are crucial to an understanding to these two chapters.
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? (KJV)
C. The questions of the disciples:
1. Question 1: When shall these things be?
What things? The things mentioned in vv.1-2. The answer to this question is not recorded in Matthew, but is recorded in Luke 21:20-24. This question relates to the destruction of Jerusalem under the Roman ruler Titus in 70 A.D.
2. Question 2: What shall be the sign of thy coming?
Which coming? This question relates to the second advent, not the rapture. Answered in chapter 25.
3. Question 3: (What shall be the sign) of the end of the world [age]?
"world" is the Greek word is aion (ahee-ohn'); which is properly translated age.
Which age? The Age of Israel, i.e., the end of the Tribulation. This is answered in verses 9-28 of chapter 24.
D. Matthew 24:16-20 and Luke 21:20-24 are not parallel passages.
E. Matthew 24:16-20 is a Tribulation passage.
F. Luke 21:20-24 reports the impending destruction of Jerusalem which occurred in 70 A.D.
Verses 4-8
FALSE SIGNS OF THE TRIBULATION DURING THE CHURCH AGE
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus answered [responded to the disciples' questions] and said unto them [the disciples], Take heed [beware] that no man [no other person, could be anyone] deceive [mislead, offer false doctrine] you [the disciples; this applies to everyone during the Church Age].
Matthew 24:5 For many [false teachers, false preachers, false leaders] shall come [appear] in my [Jesus Christ's] name, saying [claiming to be Christ], I am Christ; and [the false teachers, false preachers, false leaders] shall deceive [mislead, offer false doctrine] many [many people during the Church Age will believe these people claiming to be Christ].
Matthew 24:6 And ye [the disciples; this applies to everyone during the Church Age] shall hear of wars [hot wars] and rumours of wars [cold wars]: see that [insure that] ye [the disciples; this applies to everyone] be not troubled [that is, be prepared for troubles with sound doctrine]: for all these things [hot wars and cold of wars] must come to pass [war will not be stopped], but the end [end of the age of Israel] is not yet [at the time of the wars (hot wars) and rumors of wars (cold wars)].
Matthew 24:7 For nation [Gentile or heathen powers] shall rise against [wage war against] nation [other Gentile or heathen powers], and kingdom [major world powers] against kingdom [major world powers]: and there shall be famines [caused by lack of food], and pestilences [caused by disease], and earthquakes, in divers places
Matthew 24:8 All these [the wars, the starvation, the diseases, the natural disasters] are the beginning [the start of] of sorrows [also translated travail, birth pains, suffering that would precede the coming of the Messiah.].
Now we have a transition. We now move from false signs of the Tribulation that will occur during the Church Age to:
Verses 9-28
SIGNS OF THE END OF THE JEWISH AGE (Tribulation)
[vv. 9-10 / First sign: Persecution of Israel during the Tribulation]
Matthew 24:9 Then [during the Tribulation] shall they [refers to people who are anti-Jew] deliver you [the people of Israel] up to be afflicted [that is, the pressure will really begin for Israel], and shall kill you [Jewish lives will be taken in the persecution of Israel]: and ye [the people of Israel] shall be hated [despised and detested] of all nations [Gentile or heathen people around the world] for my [Jesus Christ] name's sake [the people of Israel will be hated and persecuted because the world will know that they in fact are God's chosen people].
Matthew 24:10 And then [during the Tribulation] shall many [Jews] be offended [shall stumble], and shall betray [deliver up] one another [Jew against Jew], and shall hate [despise and detest] one another [Jew against Jew].
[vv. 11-12 / Second sign: Apostasy of Israel]
Matthew 24:11 And many [numerous] false prophets [Jewish teachers distorting O.T. teachings] shall rise [become prominent], and [the Jewish teachers distorting the O.T. teachings] shall deceive [mislead] many [other Jews].
Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity [lawlessness; refers to negative volition] shall abound [will be everywhere], the love [agape love] of many [refers to born again Jewish believers] shall wax cold [diminish, lessen].
[v.13 / Third sign: believers who know doctrine will survive.]
Matthew 24:13 But he [the one who knows the truth] that shall endure [remain, persevere, continue firm] unto the end [the end of the Tribulation], the same [the person who knew the truth and held on to the truth] shall be saved [survive the Tribulation and enter physically into the Millennial Kingdom when the Messiah returns].
[v.14 / Fourth sign: Gospel preaching during the Tribulation.]
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom [refers to good news emphasizing that the second coming of Christ and the millennial kingdom are at hand] shall be preached [will be the message] in all the world [around the globe] for a witness [a testimony] unto all nations [the Gentiles and heathen around the world]; and then [after the fulfillment of all of these signs] shall the end [the end of the Tribulation, the second coming of Christ] come.
[v.15 / Fifth sign: International religion infiltrates Israel]
Matthew 24:15 When ye [the people of Israel] therefore shall see the abomination of desolation [the image of the Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire placed in the Holy of Holies in the Temple in Jerusalem], spoken of by Daniel the prophet [Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11], stand in the holy place [the holy of holies in the temple], (whoso readeth [whoever reads this], let him [the one who reads this] understand [know the truth]:)
Matthew 24:16 Then [when the statue of the Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire goes up in the holy of holies] let them [the Jews] which be in Judaea [reside in Judea] flee [run] into the mountains [of Edom, Moab and Ammon. In Daniel 11:41 we read the people in these regions will escape the hand of the Dictator of the Revived Roman Empire]:
Matthew 24:17 Let him [the Jew] which [who] is on the housetop [the gardens were on the housetops] not come down [flee for the mountains from the garden] to take any thing out of his house [leave household items behind]:
Matthew 24:18 Neither let him [the Jew] which [who] is in the field [the place of employment] return back [to his house] to take his clothes [in other words; leave personal belongings behind].
Matthew 24:19 And woe [how miserable it will be] unto them that are with child [the Jewish women who are pregnant], and to them [the Jewish women] that give suck [are nursing babies] in those days [the days as the Tribulation nears its end]!
Matthew 24:20 But pray ye [the Jews should pray] that your [the Jews'] flight [running from persecution] be not in the winter [refers to the possibility of impassable mountain roads], neither on the sabbath day [when everyone is on the roads going to and from worship causing the highways to be congested]:
Matthew 24:21 For then [after the Jews have escaped into the mountains] shall be great tribulation [the last half of the Tribulation; this is the worst three and one half years of human history], such [what is about to occur] as was not [has never been] since the beginning of the world to this time [the three and one half years preceding the end of the Tribulation and the second coming of Christ], no, nor ever shall be [and what is about to occur will never occur again].
Matthew 24:22 And except [unless] those days [the days of the last three and one half years of the Tribulation] should be shortened [interrupted, brought to an end], there should no flesh [human being] be saved [saved physically]: but for the elect's [the many Tribulation believers] sake those days [the days of the last three and one half years of the Tribulation] shall be shortened [brought to an end by the second advent].
Matthew 24:23 Then [after the Jews have fled to the mountains] if (?) any man [person] shall say unto you [the Jew having fled into the mountains], Lo [look], here is Christ [the Messiah has returned], or there ["is Christ"] [the Messiah has returned]; believe it not [when you hear this' do not believe it. Some will believe and will leave the mountains only to die [the sin unto death] for leaving].
Matthew 24:24 For there [at this time] shall arise [appear] false Christs [people claiming to be Christ], and false prophets [people teaching false doctrine], and shall shew great signs and wonders [people performing signs and wonders claiming them to be from God]; insomuch that [therefore], if [2] it were possible [they will try but it won't be possible], they [the people claiming to be Christ, the false prophets and the people performing signs and wonders] shall deceive [mislead] the very elect [the born again believers in the Tribulation].
Matthew 24:25 Behold [understand], I [Jesus Christ] have told you [the disciples, who are representative of the Jews] before [in advance, beforehand].
Matthew 24:26 Wherefore if they [false prophets, false teachers] shall say unto you [the Jews that have escaped to the mountains], Behold, he [Christ] is in the desert [wilderness]; go not forth [do not come down from the mountains]: behold, he [Christ] is in the secret chambers [a room, closet or place of retirement]; believe it not [when you hear it do not believe it. (Some will believe and will leave the mountains only to die the sin unto death for leaving.)].
First Illustration of the Second Advent:
Lightning
Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
As lightning travels at great speed, Christ's return will also be with great speed.
As lightning can by seen by everyone (from the east to the west), Christ's return will be seen by everyone.
Lightning is often the sign of a coming storm; Christ's return will bring the storm of judgment -- the baptism of fire.
Four Signs of the Second Advent
First Sign: The Great Slaughter of the Armageddon Campaign Verses 28-31
Matthew 24:28 For wheresoever [wherever] the carcass [corpse, the fallen bodies in battle] is, there [the place where the fallen bodies lie] will the eagles [vultures, buzzards] be gathered together.
Verses 24:29-31
MANNER OF CHRIST'S COMING
Second Sign: Celestial Disturbances in Two Categories
Matthew 24:29 Immediately after [at the end of] the tribulation of those days [the days just preceding the Second Advent] shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light [light will be cut off to protect born again Jews fighting against hopeless odds in Jerusalem], and the stars [meteors] shall fall from [[second]] heaven, and the powers [forces] of the [[second]] heavens shall be shaken:
Third Sign: The sign of the Son of Man
(not understood now, but will be obvious to the Jews when it occurs.)
Matthew 24:30 And then [at the end of the Tribulation] shall appear [be visible] the sign of the Son of man [Jesus Christ] in [[first]] heaven: and then [at the appearing of the sign] shall all the tribes [refers to the tribes of Israel] of the earth [the tribes are scattered throughout the world] mourn [lament, bewail], and they [the tribes of Israel] shall see the Son of man [Jesus Christ] coming in the clouds of [[first]] heaven with power and great glory.
Fourth Sign: Supernatural Regathering of Israel
Matthew 24:31 And he [Jesus Christ] shall send [dispatch] his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they [the angels] shall gather together his [Jesus Christ's] elect [the nation of Israel] from the four winds [from all over the world], from one end of [[first]] heaven to the other ["the end of" the first heaven indicating that no Jew will be overlooked].
Verses 24:32-36
CERTAINTY OF CHRIST'S COMING
The Parable
Matthew 24:32 Now learn [acquire knowledge] a parable [lesson] of [from] the fig tree [literally a fig tree, not symbolic of Israel as is sometimes the case in other parts of scripture]; When [at the time] his [the fig tree's] branch [literal branch] is yet [already] tender [soft], and putteth forth [produces] leaves, ye [the observer of the fig tree producing leaves] know [understand] that summer is nigh [near]:
The Parable Interpreted
Matthew 24:33 So likewise ye [In the same manner that you know that summer is near when you see the tender branches of the fig tree produce it's leaves], when ye [the Jew living at the end of the Tribulation] shall see [observe] all these things [the signs just explained in 24:28-31], know [realize] that it [the second advent] is near, even at the doors [of the millennium].
Application of the Parable
Matthew 24:34 Verily [truly] I [Jesus Christ] say unto you [the disciples, representative of Israel], This [[Jewish]] generation [race] shall not pass [shall not be exterminated], till all these things [the four signs of the second advent] be fulfilled [completed]. [[Three views of "generation": 1) the generation to whom Jesus was speaking; 2) those who witness the four signs stated above will see the second coming within their generation; 3) the Jewish race in general]
[The principle here is that the Lord is promising that the nation of Israel will be preserved until the consummation of her program at the second advent in spite of the work of the Desolator (Satan) to destroy her.]
Matthew 24:35 [[Third]] Heaven and earth shall pass away [will be destroyed], but my [Jesus Christ's] words [principles, promises, doctrines] shall not pass away [are eternal].
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour [the time of the day and hour of the second advent] knoweth no man [not anyone], no, not the angels of heaven [the angels of heaven do not know the day and hour of the second advent], but my [Jesus Christ's] Father only [knows the day and hour of the second advent].
Verses 24:37-25:13
PREPARATION FOR THE COMING OF MESSIAH
Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noah were [in the days of Noah, all unbelievers were removed from the earth by the flood.], so shall also [the removal of unbelievers from the earth will occur at] the coming [the second advent] of the Son of man [Jesus Christ] be.
Matthew 24:38 For as [Just as] in the days that were before [the 120 years that Noah preached preceding] the flood [the Noahic flood] they [the people of those days] were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage [normal, common things that go on in life that can cause people to lose interest in eternity, and can allow apathy and indifference toward the gospel to set in], until the day [the day of God's judgment by the flood] that Noah entered into the ark [the place of safety for believers],
Matthew 24:39 And [[the people]] knew not [displayed a negative attitude toward Noah's preaching] until the [[Noahic]] flood came, and took them [the unbelievers of Noah's day] all away [died in the flood]; so shall also [this same scene will occur at] the coming [the second advent] of the Son of man [Jesus Christ] be.
- there will be apathy toward the Gospel
- the things of life, such as, eating, drinking, marriage and work will be going on each day as usual
- the unbelievers will be removed from the earth and the believers will remain
Matthew 24:40 Then [at the time of the second advent] shall two be in the field [two people will be working side by side]; the one [the unbeliever] shall be taken [be removed from planet earth by the Baptism of Fire], and the other [the believer] left [will remain and enter into the millennium in the physical body].
Matthew 24:41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill [working side by side]; the one [the unbeliever] shall be taken [removed from planet earth by the Baptism of Fire], and the other [the believer] left [will remain and enter into the millennium in the physical body].
Matthew 24:42 Watch [stay alert, be aware, continue to look for these specific signs] therefore: for ye [the people living during the Tribulation] know not [do not know] what hour [when] your Lord [Jesus Christ] doth come [the second advent].
Matthew 24:43 But know [understand and apply] this, that if [2cc; he should, but he doesn't] the goodman [owner, analogous to the Jewish believer in the Tribulation] of the house had known [been aware of] in what watch [at what time] the thief would come [refers to the catastrophes of the Tribulation preceding the second advent], he [the Jewish believer] would have watched [remained alert], and [the Jewish believer] would not have suffered [been taken by surprise] his house to be broken up [by the events of the Tribulation].
Matthew 24:44 Therefore [for this reason] be ye also ready [continue to prepare]: for in such an hour [at the time] as ye think not [as you least expect it] the Son of man [Jesus Christ] cometh [the second advent].
Matthew 24:45 Who then is a faithful [stable and consistent in whatever he is doing] and wise [knows, understands and applies the truth] servant [a believer in the Tribulation], whom [the believer] his lord [Jesus Christ] hath made ruler [been given responsibility] over his [the Lord's] household [refers to Israel during the Tribulation], to give [provide] them [the Jews] meat [refers to gospel and doctrine] in due season [at the time of their (the Jews') need]?
Matthew 24:46 Blessed [it will be good for] is that servant [the believer in the Tribulation], whom [the servant] his lord [Jesus Christ] when [at the time] he [Jesus Christ] cometh [the second advent] shall find so doing [refers to knowing and applying doctrine during the Tribulation].
Matthew 24:47 Verily [Truly] I [Jesus Christ] say unto you [those reading this passage], That he [Jesus Christ] shall make him [the believer applying doctrine during the Tribulation] ruler [the reward for faithfulness] over all his [Jesus Christ's] goods.
Matthew 24:48 But and if that evil servant [refers to an unbeliever during the Tribulation] shall say [thinks and believes] in his heart [right lobe of the mentality], My lord [the Messiah] delayeth his coming [has not come yet with the result that he believers there is no Messiah];
Matthew 24:49 And [the unbeliever during the Tribulation] shall begin to smite [kill] his [the unbelieving Jew's] fellow servants [other Jews], and to eat and drink with the drunken [the unbeliever begins to live life with no regard for eternity];
Matthew 24:50 The lord [Jesus Christ] of that servant [the unbeliever] shall come [the second advent] in a day [at a time] when he [the unbeliever] looketh not for [is not expecting] him [Jesus Christ], and in an hour [at a moment] that he [the unbeliever] is not aware of [is not looking for],
Matthew 24:51 And [[Jesus Christ]] shall cut him [the unbeliever] asunder [send to hell by the Baptism of Fire], and appoint [assign] him [the unbeliever] his portion [place, position] with the hypocrites [religious unbelievers]: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth [a description of hell; pain and agony; judgment for having missed believing in Christ].
THE OLIVET DISCOURSE
Matthew Chapter 25
Matthew 25:1 Then [immediately after the Tribulation, the beginning of the millennium] shall the kingdom of heaven [the realm over which God rules; here, specifically, the millennium over which Christ rules] be likened unto [not a comparison, but the development of an illustration] ten virgins [Jews during the Tribulation; friends of the bridegroom (Christ)], which took their lamps [they each had a lamp; they each had heard the Gospel during the Tribulation], and went forth [they (the Jews who had heard the Gospel) had recognized the signs of the approaching second advent, and considering themselves to be friends of the bridegroom, they went out to await his arrival] to meet the bridegroom [Jesus Christ] [places the time during the Tribulation].
Matthew 25:2 And five of them [the virgins (representative of the Jews that had heard the Gospel during the Tribulation)] were wise [refers to those Jews during the Tribulation who truly believed, responding to the Gospel with positive volition ], and five were foolish [refers to those Jews during the Tribulation who, after having heard the Gospel, only claimed to be looking for the Messiah's return in power, rejecting the Gospel by their negative volition].
Matthew 25:3 They that were foolish [unbelieving Jews during the Tribulation] took their lamps [refers to the Gospel message given to all Jews during the Tribulation], and took no oil [refers to their rejection of the Gospel message by their negative volition] with them:
Matthew 25:4 But the wise [believing Jews during the Tribulation] took oil [refers to the acceptance of the Gospel message by their positive volition] in their vessels with their lamps [the same Gospel message given to all Jews during the Tribulation].
Matthew 25:5 While the bridegroom [Jesus Christ] tarried [His return was delayed because the Church, believers during the Church Age who had been removed from planet earth nearly seven years earlier at the Rapture, was being prepared at the Bema Seat for its return to earth with the bridegroom as the bride.], they [the ten virgins (the Jews that had heard the Gospel message during the Tribulation] all slumbered and slept [refers to a passage of time from when they heard the Gospel message and the return of the Bridegroom].
Matthew 25:6 And at midnight [the time at which a day comes to end; refers to the time at which the Tribulation period comes to an end] there was a cry made [to announce the approach of the bridegroom], Behold, the bridegroom [Jesus Christ] cometh; go ye [the virgins, friends of the bridegroom, Jews during the Tribulation who have heard the Gospel message] out to meet him [the bridegroom, Jesus Christ].
[Their lamps will need to be lit since it is midnight. The lighted lamps implies spiritual preparation.]
Matthew 25:7 Then [at the announcement of the bridegroom's approach] all those virgins [the Jews who have heard the Gospel message during the Tribulation] arose, and trimmed [each one had to do their own trimming, implying that the response to the Gospel message is every individual's responsibility] their lamps.
Matthew 25:8 And the foolish [ the unbelievers; the Jews during the Tribulation who after hearing the Gospel message chose to reject it by their own negative volition] said unto the wise [the believers; the Jews during the Tribulation who after hearing the Gospel message chose to accept it by their own positive volition], Give us [the unbelievers] of your [the believers] oil; for our lamps are gone out [the unbelievers had rejected the message of the Gospel when they first heard, and now found themselves out of time].
Matthew 25:9 But the wise [the believers] answered, saying, Not so [there is nothing we can do for you now]; lest there be not enough for us and you [your decision was your own just as our decision was our own]: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves [you must make your own preparation].
Matthew 25:10 And while they [the unbelievers] went to buy [refers to making preparation], the bridegroom [Jesus Christ] came [the second advent, not the rapture]; and they [the Jews during the Tribulation that heard the Gospel message] that were ready [believe the Gospel message they heard] went in [were saved, entered the millennial kingdom] with him [the bridegroom, Jesus Christ] to the marriage [the Marriage Supper of the Lamb]: and the door [the way through which you enter] was shut [closed, PERIOD. Whoever is in, is in. Whoever is out has lost all opportunity to get in.].
Matthew 25:11 Afterward [after the means by which entry to the millennial kingdom is cut off] came also the other virgins [the Jews during the Tribulation who reject the Gospel message], saying, Lord, Lord, open to us [give us another chance].
Matthew 25:12 But he [the bridegroom, Jesus Christ] answered and said, Verily [truly] I [Jesus Christ] say unto you [the foolish virgins, the Jews during the Tribulation who, having heard the Gospel message put off believing it until it was too late], I [Jesus Christ] know you [the unbelievers] not.
Matthew 25:13 Watch [be alert] therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man [Jesus Christ] cometh [the second advent].
[This parable emphasizes the need to be prepared for eternity, and the only preparation that can be made is SALVATION.]
Verses 25:14-30
ISRAEL'S RELATION TO HER RETURNING KING
Matthew 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven [the realm over which God rules; here, specifically, the millennium over which Christ rules] is as [an illustration] a man travelling into a far country [refers to Jesus Christ after His ascension], who called his [Jesus Christ's] own servants [the Tribulation Jews], and delivered [gave] unto them [the Tribulation Jews] his [Jesus Christ's] goods [refers to His assets; the Jews will be custodians of the Word again during the Tribulation].
Matthew 25:15 And unto one [a servant, a Tribulation Jew] he [Jesus Christ] gave five talents [refers to opportunity to hear the Gospel message and respond, and the responsibility associated with his response], to another [a servant, a Tribulation Jew] two [refers to opportunity to hear the Gospel message and respond, and the responsibility associated with his response], and to another [a servant, a Tribulation Jew] one [refers to opportunity to hear the Gospel message and respond, and the responsibility associated with his response]; to every man [every Tribulation Jew] according to his [the Tribulation Jew's] several [individual, separate] ability; and straightway took his journey [Christ ascended into heaven; the Church Age is skipped over; the time is now the Tribulation period].
Matthew 25:16 Then he [the Tribulation Jew] that had received the five talents went and traded with the same [this Tribulation Jew believed the Gospel message when he heard it and produced spiritually], and made them other five talents [represents the results of the believing Tribulation Jew's spiritual production.].
Matthew 25:17 And likewise he [the Tribulation Jew] that had received two [this Tribulation Jew also believed the Gospel message when he heard it and produced spiritually], he [the Tribulation Jew] also gained other two [represents the results of the believing Tribulation Jew's spiritual production].
Matthew 25:18 But he [the Tribulation Jew] that had received one went and digged in the earth [this Tribulation Jew heard the Gospel message but chose not to believe], and hid his lord's money [as an unbeliever he was incapable of spiritual production].
Matthew 25:19 After a long time [the time from Christ's ascension to the second advent] the lord [Jesus Christ] of those servants [the Tribulation Jews] cometh [the second advent], and reckoneth [holds them accountable] with them [the Tribulation Jews].
Matthew 25:20 And so he [the Tribulation Jew] that had received five talents [heard the Gospel message, believed and produced spiritually] came and brought other five talents [the results of his spiritual production], saying, Lord, thou [Jesus Christ] deliveredst unto [gave] me [the Tribulation Jew] five talents [opportunity to hear the Gospel message and respond, and the responsibility associated with that response]: behold [look here], I [the believing Tribulation Jew] have gained beside them five talents more [have produced spiritually because I believed].
Matthew 25:21 His [the believing Tribulation Jew's] lord [Jesus Christ] said unto him [the believing Tribulation Jew], Well done, thou good [Divine Good] and faithful [the stability of the believing, maturing Tribulation Jew] servant: thou [the believing Tribulation Jew] hast been faithful [kept on being faithful during the pressures of the Tribulation] over a few things, I [Jesus Christ] will make thee [the believing Tribulation Jew] ruler over many things [reward for faithfulness over a few things]: enter thou [the believing Tribulation Jew] into the joy of thy lord [refers to entry into the millennium].
Matthew 25:22 He [the Tribulation Jew] also that had received two talents [heard the Gospel message, believed and produced spiritually] came and said, Lord, thou [Jesus Christ] deliveredst unto [gave] me [the believing Tribulation Jew] two talents [opportunity to hear the Gospel message and respond, and the responsibility associated with that response]: behold [look here], I [the believing Tribulation Jew] have gained two other talents beside them [have produced spiritually because I believed].
Matthew 25:23 His [the believing Tribulation Jew's] lord [Jesus Christ] said unto him [the believing Tribulation Jew], Well done, good [Divine Good] and faithful [the stability of the believing, maturing Tribulation Jew] servant: thou [the believing Tribulation Jew] hast been faithful [kept on being faithful during the pressures of the Tribulation] over a few things, I [Jesus Christ] will make thee [the believing Tribulation Jew] ruler over many things [reward for faithfulness over a few things]: enter thou [the believing Tribulation Jew] into the joy of thy lord [refers to entry into the millennium].
Matthew 25:24 Then he [the unbelieving Tribulation Jew] which had received the one talent [the opportunity to hear the Gospel message and respond, and the responsibility of what the response brings] came and said, Lord, I [the Tribulation Jew] knew [understood about] thee [Jesus Christ] that thou [Jesus Christ] art an hard man [expected much from his servants], reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed [implies that every Jew is going to be held accountable]:
Matthew 25:25 And I [the unbelieving Tribulation Jew] was afraid [believed he could not measure up], and went and hid thy talent [chose not to believe when he heard the Gospel message and turned his back on the opportunities given him] in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine [he gave them back to the Lord with no production].
Matthew 25:26 His [the unbelieving Tribulation Jew] lord [Jesus Christ] answered and said unto him [the unbelieving Tribulation Jew], Thou wicked [unbelieving Tribulation Jew] and slothful [unstable] servant, thou knewest that I [Jesus Christ] reap where I [Jesus Christ] sowed not, and gather where I [Jesus Christ] have not strewed [the unbelieving Tribulation Jew knew that he would be held accountable]:
Matthew 25:27 Thou [the unbelieving Tribulation Jew] oughtest therefore to [should] have put my [Jesus Christ's] money to the exchangers, and then at my coming [the second advent] I [Jesus Christ] should have received mine own with usury [interest].
Matthew 25:28 Take therefore the talent [opportunity for production] from him [the unbelieving Tribulation Jew], and give it [opportunity for production] unto him which hath ten talents [the believing Tribulation Jew].
Matthew 25:29 For unto every one [Tribulation Jew] that hath [has believed and therefore produced spiritually] shall be given [more opportunity to produce], and he [the believing Tribulation Jew] shall have abundance [reward for faithfulness]: but from him [the unbelieving Tribulation Jew] that hath not [did not believe so could not produce spiritually] shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Matthew 25:30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant [the unbelieving Tribulation Jew] into outer darkness [refers to hell]: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Verses 25:31-46
GENTILE JUDGMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH CHRIST'S RETURN
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man [Jesus Christ] shall come [the second advent] in his [Jesus Christ's] glory, and all the holy angels with him [Jesus Christ], then [at the second advent] shall he [Jesus Christ] sit upon the throne [David's] of his [Jesus Christ's] glory:
Matthew 25:32 And before [in front of] him [Jesus Christ] shall be gathered all nations [Gentiles of the Tribulation Period]: and he [Jesus Christ] shall separate them [set them apart] one from another [into two groups], as a shepherd divideth [separates] his [the shepherd's] sheep from the goats:
Matthew 25:33 And he [Jesus Christ] shall set the sheep [Gentile believers of the Tribulation] on his [Jesus Christ's] right hand, but the goats [Gentile unbelievers of the Tribulation] on the left.
Matthew 25:34 Then [after the Tribulation Gentiles have been separated, believer from unbeliever] shall the King [Jesus Christ] say unto them on his right hand [the Tribulation Gentile believers], Come, ye blessed of my [Jesus Christ's] Father, inherit the kingdom [enter into the millennium] prepared for you [the Tribulation Gentile believers] from the foundation [beginning] of the world:
Matthew 25:35 For I [Jesus Christ] was an hungered [hungry], and ye [Tribulation Gentile believers] gave me [Jesus Christ] meat [something to eat]: I [Jesus Christ] was thirsty, and ye [Tribulation Gentile believers] gave me [Jesus Christ] drink [something to drink]: I [Jesus Christ] was a stranger, and ye [Tribulation Gentile believers] took me [Jesus Christ] in [gave me a place to stay]:
Matthew 25:36 [[Jesus Christ was]] Naked, and ye [Tribulation Gentile believers] clothed me [Jesus Christ]: I [Jesus Christ] was sick, and ye [Tribulation Gentile believers] visited me [Jesus Christ]: I [Jesus Christ] was in prison, and ye [Tribulation Gentile believers] came unto [came to minister to] me [Jesus Christ].
Matthew 25:37 Then shall the righteous [the Tribulation Gentile believers] answer him [Jesus Christ], saying, Lord, when saw we [when did we (Tribulation Gentile believers) see] thee [Jesus Christ] an hungered [hungry], and fed thee [Jesus Christ]? or thirsty, and gave thee [Jesus Christ] drink?
Matthew 25:38 When saw we [when did we (Tribulation Gentile believers) see] thee [Jesus Christ] a stranger, and took thee [Jesus Christ] in? or naked, and clothed thee [Jesus Christ]?
Matthew 25:39 Or when saw we [when did we (Tribulation Gentile believers) see] thee [Jesus Christ] sick, or in prison, and came unto thee [Jesus Christ]?
Matthew 25:40 And the King [Jesus Christ] shall answer and say unto them [the Tribulation Gentile believers], Verily [truly] I [Jesus Christ] say unto you [Tribulation Gentile believers], Inasmuch [in the same way] as ye [Tribulation Gentile believers] have done it [any of these things; fed, gave drink, clothed, housed, ministered to] unto one of the least of these my brethren [the Tribulation Jew], ye [Tribulation Gentile believer] have done it [fed, gave drink, clothed, housed, ministered to] unto me [Jesus Christ].
Matthew 25:41 Then [after the Tribulation Gentile believers have entered into the millennium] shall he [Jesus Christ] say also unto them on the left hand [the Tribulation Gentile unbelievers], Depart from me [Jesus Christ], ye cursed, into everlasting fire [hell], prepared for the devil [Satan] and his angels [the fallen angels; demons]:
Matthew 25:42 For I [Jesus Christ] was an hungered [hungry], and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink.
Matthew 25:43 I [Jesus Christ] was a stranger, and ye [Tribulation Gentile unbeliever] took me [Jesus Christ] not in [gave me no where to stay]: naked, and ye [Tribulation Gentile unbeliever] clothed me [Jesus Christ] not: sick, and in prison, and ye [Tribulation Gentile unbeliever] visited me not.
Matthew 25:44 Then shall they [Tribulation Gentile unbeliever] also answer him [Jesus Christ], saying, Lord, when saw we [when did we (Tribulation Gentile unbeliever) see] thee [Jesus Christ] an hungered [hungry], or athirst [thirsty], or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee [Jesus Christ]?
Matthew 25:45 Then shall he [Jesus Christ] answer them [Tribulation Gentile unbeliever], saying, Verily [truly] I [Jesus Christ] say unto you [Tribulation Gentile unbeliever], Inasmuch [in the same way] as ye [Tribulation Gentile unbeliever] did it not [failed to feed, give drink, clothe, house, minister to] to one of the least of these [the Tribulation Jew], ye [Tribulation Gentile unbeliever] did it not [failed to feed, give drink, clothe, house, minister to] to me [Jesus Christ].
Matthew 25:46 And these [Tribulation Gentile unbeliever] shall go away into everlasting punishment [hell]: but the righteous [Tribulation Gentile believer] into life eternal.