December 7, 2025

The Sheep and Goat Judgment – Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and Goat Judgment

Matthew 25:31-46

Today, we come to the conclusion of the Olivet Discourse, that portion of the Gospel of Matthew in which our Lord taught His disciples about His second coming. After giving signs that will precede and accompany His coming, Jesus spent most of this discourse warning His disciples to watch and be ready for His coming (Matt. 24:42,44). He showed that His coming would be swift and unexpected like in the days of Noah (Matt. 24:37-42) or like a thief coming at night (Matt. 24:43-44). At the end of Matthew 24, Jesus said that His coming would be like a master returning to find a slave either faithfully doing the work that he was assigned, or a slave who neglected his duty and abused his authority (Matt. 24:45-51).

In Matthew 25, we have already studied two parables about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said it would be like a wedding feast where the bridegroom is delayed. Some virgins were prepared for this by bringing extra oil for their lamps. Others did not prepare and were shut out. So Jesus taught His disciples, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Matt. 25:13). Next, Jesus compared the kingdom to a master who entrusted his wealth to certain slaves. Some put the master’s money to work and produced a good return for him. One did not trust the master, so he buried his master’s money. When the master returned, he settled accounts with them, rewarding the faithful servants and casting the wicked, lazy servant into the outer darkness.

Do you see the common theme in all these illustrations that Jesus gave about His coming? When Jesus comes again He will come in judgment, separating the faithful righteous from the unbelieving wicked. Whether it is the wise virgins separated from the foolish virgins, the faithful servants separated from the wicked, or the sheep separated from the goats, this is the point that Jesus emphasized. His second coming is a day of reckoning when those who are not ready will be separated from those who are ready.

In our passage today, although Jesus uses the illustration of a shepherd separating the sheep from the goats, it does not read strictly like a parable. Rather, it is the startling description of Christ’s judgment at His second coming. In the other parables, there is a delay in the groom’s or the master’s coming, and the separation and judgment come at the end of the story. But in this last section, the Lord’s coming is featured first and the judgment consumes the entire teaching. It is all about that final day when Jesus returns and judges the righteous and the wicked, the saved and the lost, the sheep and the goats.

First, we see the …

1. Scene of the Judgment (Matt. 25:31-33)

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. ³² All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. ³³ And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” (Matt. 25:31-33).

When will this judgment take place? Jesus begins by establishing the timing of this judgment. It is, “ When the Son of Man comes in His glory” (Matt. 25:31). This is the same time Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24:30, when “… the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matt. 24:30). This talks about the time of His return to earth. When He comes, the whole world will see Him. The whole world will know that it is Jesus returning to judge the world.

Those with a more dispensational eschatology believe this sheep-goat judgment is a particular judgment that occurs on earth where He judges those who are alive from the nations at His second coming. Others see this as a general picture of the judgment of all people. Still others see this as a judgment occurring in heaven as Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. Regardless of your eschatology, this much is clear: Jesus is the glorious King and judge to whom we must give an account on that day.

Who is the judge? King Jesus. When the Lord Jesus comes, He will claim the throne that is rightfully His. He will consummate His kingdom. This is what it means in Matthew 25:31 when Jesus says that the Son of Man “will sit on the throne of His glory.” When Jesus sits upon the throne, it will be a demonstration to all that He has all authority over time and eternity. On Wednesday, we looked at Psalm 2 where God says to the raging nations, “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion,” (Psalm 2:6). And to His Son, the Father says, “Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth for Your possession.” (Psalm 2:8).

But Jesus doesn’t come alone. He comes with “all the holy angels” (Matt. 25:31). Jesus explained the role of the angels in the separation and judgment in His parables of the wheat and the tares (Matt. 13:41-43) and the dragnet (Matt. 13:47-50). As Jesus promised in Matthew 16:27, “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.” In Matthew 24:31 after describing His second coming, Jesus says, “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

So, who is the judge? It is King Jesus, seated on His glorious throne, accompanied by holy angels. As the Son of Man and Son of God, Jesus will preside on the day of judgment. Jesus said about himself in John 5, “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. … and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.” (John 5:22-23,27).

Isn’t it good to know that the same One who is our Savior is also our judge? Revelation 1 describes Him as, “Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth,” and then describes what He has done, saying, “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Rev. 1:5-6). Then John goes on to write about His coming and judgment, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” (Rev. 1:7). Our glorious Lord and King is also the One who “also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Eph. 5:25). Aren’t you glad that our judge is the One loved us and gave Himself for us (Gal. 1:4; 2:20; Tit. 2:14)?

Whom does He judge? Matthew 25:32 says, “All the nations will be gathered before Him.” The “nations” means peoples of all kinds. It is the same word Jesus used in His great commission to His disciples at the end of Matthew 28 when He commanded them to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matt. 28:19). All people from all nations will be judged.

How will He judge? Jesus says, “… He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.” (Matt. 25:32-33). Jesus will separate the people into two distinct groups, pictured as the sheep and the goats. Jesus will put the sheep on His right and the goats on His left—the right hand being the side of honor and blessing in Scripture.

John Broadus tells about his traveling in the ancient land of Israel. On the very morning he was working on his commentary on this chapter, looking across the plain of Sharon, he saw a shepherd leading forth a flock of white sheep and black goats, all mingled as they followed him. As the shepherd came into a little green valley, he stood facing the flock. When a sheep came up, he tapped it with his long staff on the right side of the head, and it quickly moved off to his right; a goat he tapped on the other side, and it went to his left.^[1] This is the picture Jesus is giving. The shepherd easily distinguishes the sheep from the goats.

Notice that their identity as a sheep or a goat is already fixed. The Lord does not make anyone a goat or turn someone into a sheep on that day. Their nature as a sheep or a goat is already set and He know which of the people belong in each group. In John 10, Jesus said,

¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. ¹⁵ As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. … ²⁷ My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ²⁸ And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and My Father are one.” (John 10:14-15, 27-30).

Jesus is the good shepherd who knows His sheep. Each individual person will be singled out and assigned either to the sheep or the goats. Charles Spurgeon comments: “Not one goat will be left among the sheep, nor one sheep with the goats. The division will be very close and personal: ‘one from another; They will not be separated into nations, nor even into families; but each individual will be allotted his or her proper place among the sheep or among the goats.”[2]

It is clear that the sheep represent those who are saved and the goats represent those who are lost. The most common designation in Scripture for these two groups are the righteous and the wicked. (Genesis 18:23; Psalm 1:5; Proverbs 11:21; Matthew 13:49; Acts 24:15; 2 Peter 2:7).

It is not always easy for us in this life to discern those who will be blessed by God the Father as the sheep and those who are cursed as the goats. The prophet Malachi deals with this issue because in this life it often appears that the wicked are proud and blessed and the righteous are humble, poor, and persecuted (Mal. 3:13-15). But the Lord has the final word in the judgment. Malachi writes,

¹⁶ Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another,
And the LORD listened and heard them;
So a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the LORD
And who meditate on His name.
¹⁷ “They shall be Mine,” says the LORD of hosts,
“On the day that I make them My jewels.
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him.”
¹⁸ Then you shall again discern
Between the righteous and the wicked,
Between one who serves God
And one who does not serve Him.
(Mal. 3:16-18).

If you are among His sheep in this dark and fallen world, this promise is a cause of great comfort. This world may not make much of a distinction anymore between good and evil, or justice and injustice, or righteousness and unrighteousness. But we need to remember that King Jesus does! When He comes, He will make clear distinctions; and will separate the righteous from the unrighteous on the great day of His righteous judgment.

Just as we saw the rest of the Olivet Discourse, the day of Christ’s coming will be a day of separation in judgment. The Lord knows those who are His. The sheep will be given the place of honor and will inherit the Kingdom of heaven (Matt. 25:34). The goats will be assigned the place of shame and will be cast “into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matt. 25:41).

So, this judgment will take place when the Son of Man comes again and sits on His glorious throne as King. Our Lord Jesus Christ is not only the King, He is the judge. He judges all the people of all the nations. He separates them according to their identity. He blesses the righteous and curses the unrighteous.

How do you know in which group you will be found on that day? The eternal and critical issue is, what have you done with Jesus Christ? Have you believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for your sins and was raised from the dead to give you life? To everyone who repents and believes in Him, He grants forgiveness and eternal life. Paul quotes Psalm 32 in Romans 4, writing,

⁷ “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; ⁸ Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.” (Romans 4:7-8).

Either your sins will be counted against you on that day of judgment, or your sins will have been imputed to Christ. Either you will fall by your own unrighteousness, or you will stand in Christ’s righteousness. Paul says in Romans 8, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Rom. 8:1). Jesus says in John 3,

¹⁸ “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ¹⁹ And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:18-19).

In that same passage that speaks about Jesus being the judge, He says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” (John 5:24). Judgment will not be condemnation for those who have believed in Christ. Instead, judgment will be a reward for what we have done for Christ.

If you have not yet repented and believed in Christ, do it today. Turn from you sin and yourself. Turn to Christ and His perfect sacrifice for your sins on the cross. Believe that Jesus has been raised from the dead and is alive forever to save those who trust in Him. He will save you. He will change your identity from a goat to a sheep. He will transform you into a child of God.

Next time, we will see the details of how Jesus blesses the righteous and curses the unrighteous.

Blessing for the Sheep (Matt. 25:34-40)
Curse for the Goats (Matt. 25:41-45)
Eternal Destinies (Matt. 25:46)

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^[1] John A. Broadus, Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, American Commentary on the New Testament (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society, 1886).

[2] Charles Spurgeon; The Gospel of the Kingdom: An Exposition of the Gospel of Matthew, https://archive.org/details/cu31924029340720/page/444/mode/2up?q=%22Not+one+goat+will+be+left+among+the+sheep%2C+nor+one+sheep+with+the+goats%22.

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Richard Sipes / Uncategorized / Judgment, Matthew, Second Coming / 0

November 30, 2025

Give Thanks for Our Salvation – Psalm 107

Psalm 107 is a descriptive psalm of thanksgiving. It begins, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 107:1). To give thanks (יָדָה yāḏâ) carries the idea of “extending the hands in praise.”[i] The psalmist calls us to thanksgiving because Yahweh, the LORD, is good. We are to praise Him for His “mercy”, or faithful lovingkindness, “endures forever”.

Verses 2 and 3 set the scene a bit more precisely by defining who it is who is to give thanks to the Lord: “² Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy, ³ And gathered out of the lands, From the east and from the west, From the north and from the south.” (Psalm 107:2-3). This psalm certainly applies to us as those who have been redeemed from the bondage to sin and death by the blood of Jesus Christ. As we realize our helplessness and experience God’s gracious help in our problems, we ought to appreciate His love and give thanks to Him. That’s the message of Psalm 107.

Then the psalmist gives four illustrations of God’s redemption. First, in Psalm 107:4-9, God’s redemption is like lost wanderers whom the LORD rescues. Listen to their predicament:

⁴ They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way;
They found no city to dwell in.
⁵ Hungry and thirsty,
Their soul fainted in them.
(Psalm 107:4-5).

What do you do when you are lost and your soul is fainting from distress? Call out to the LORD! This is what they do in Psalm 107:6: “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,” Did the LORD answer their cry? YES! The psalmist says, “And He delivered them out of their distresses. And He led them forth by the right way, That they might go to a city for a dwelling place.” (Psa 107:6-7).

What should be the response of those God redeemed from lostness?

⁸ Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
⁹ For He satisfies the longing soul,
And fills the hungry soul with goodness. (Psalm 107:8-9).

Do you feel lost? Jesus says, “I am the Way” (John 14:6). Do you feel empty and hungry? Jesus says, “I am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35). Do you feel thirsty to know God? Jesus says, “I will give you living Water” (John 4:10). Do you feel exhausted and weary? Jesus says, “I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). To get help from God, you must realize that you are lost, give up your own efforts to find the way, and call out to God. He will save you.

Listen to how the LORD saves those who are imprisoned in darkness due to their rebellion against God’s word:

¹⁰ Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,
Bound in affliction and irons–
¹¹ Because they rebelled against the words of God,
And despised the counsel of the Most High,
¹² Therefore He brought down their heart with labor;
They fell down, and there was none to help.
¹³ Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,
And broke their chains in pieces.
¹⁵ Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
¹⁶ For He has broken the gates of bronze,
And cut the bars of iron in two.
(Psalm 107:10-16).

It doesn’t matter how far you have fallen and rebelled against God and His law. Cry out to the LORD in your trouble. He will break the chains of sin and death.

Next the psalmist shows how God rescues from affliction and sickness due to sin:

¹⁷ Fools, because of their transgression,
And because of their iniquities, were afflicted.
¹⁸ Their soul abhorred all manner of food,
And they drew near to the gates of death.
¹⁹ Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He saved them out of their distresses.
²⁰ He sent His word and healed them,
And delivered them from their destructions.
²¹ Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
²² Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And declare His works with rejoicing.
(Psalm 107:17-22).

If you are in great trouble today and you know that the reason for your trouble is your own rebellion, you may feel that you can’t call out to God for help. Not so! Cry out to Him and He will deliver you from your sin to His glory!

What about those who are overwhelmed by their circumstances? Listen how God saves them as well:

²³ Those who go down to the sea in ships,
Who do business on great waters,
²⁴ They see the works of the LORD,
And His wonders in the deep.
²⁵ For He commands and raises the stormy wind,
Which lifts up the waves of the sea.
²⁶ They mount up to the heavens,
They go down again to the depths;
Their soul melts because of trouble.
²⁷ They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,
And are at their wits’ end.
²⁸ Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,
And He brings them out of their distresses.
²⁹ He calms the storm,
So that its waves are still.
³⁰ Then they are glad because they are quiet;
So He guides them to their desired haven.
³¹ Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
³² Let them exalt Him also in the assembly of the people,
And praise Him in the company of the elders.
(Psalm 107:23-32).

Thus the psalmist paints these four word-pictures to drive home the point: To receive help from God, you must abandon all trust in yourself and cry out to God for His undeserved favor. Our response to the LORD for redeeming us is to give thanks for His goodness and His wonderful works. We exalt Him and praise Him.

Finally, the psalmist gives a summary of God’s ways, showing how the LORD turns poverty into plenty and strikes down the proud and self-sufficient, but lifts up the needy who call on Him:

³³ He turns rivers into a wilderness,
And the watersprings into dry ground;
³⁴ A fruitful land into barrenness,
For the wickedness of those who dwell in it.
³⁵ He turns a wilderness into pools of water,
And dry land into watersprings.
³⁶ There He makes the hungry dwell,
That they may establish a city for a dwelling place,
37 And sow fields and plant vineyards,
That they may yield a fruitful harvest.
³⁸ He also blesses them, and they multiply greatly;
And He does not let their cattle decrease.
³⁹ When they are diminished and brought low
Through oppression, affliction, and sorrow,
⁴⁰ He pours contempt on princes,
And causes them to wander in the wilderness where there is no way;
⁴¹ Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction,
And makes their families like a flock.
⁴² The righteous see it and rejoice,
And all iniquity stops its mouth.
⁴³ Whoever is wise will observe these things,
And they will understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
(Psalm 107:33-43).

Isn’t God good? Shouldn’t we thank Him for His mercy? Doesn’t He deserve all the praise and thanksgiving we could ever give? Every time we gather as a church we ought to be thanking God for saving us in Jesus Christ. We ought to be full of the joy of our salvation. “Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:31). Today, let’s consider the goodness and mercy of the LORD as we sing and as we speak of what the LORD has done for us.

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[i] https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h3034/nkjv/wlc/0-1/

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Richard Sipes / Uncategorized / Psalms, Thanksgiving / 0

November 23, 2025

The Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30

The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:14-30

What will you do with the opportunities God has given you?

Remember, we are in the middle of our Lord’s Olivet discourse concerning the future and, in particular, His Second Coming. Again and again, Jesus has urged His disciples and us to be alert and ready because we do not and cannot know when He will return. We must live so as not to be caught off-guard. That means to live in faithfulness to the Lord, serving Him, and doing His will. This was the Lord’s own application of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13. Jesus concluded that parable saying, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Matt. 25:13). Jesus expects His disciples to watch and be prepared at all times for His coming.

Now, in the parable of the talents, we will find that it has a similar elements to the other parables Jesus just told: a master who goes away for a period of time, his return coming at a time they do not expect, and the judgment of those who either were or were not prepared for it. But today’s parable makes still more explicit what readiness looks like. The parable of the virgins calls us to watch; the parable of the talents calls us to work.

Readiness is not a matter of passively waiting, but of active working. Being ready for the Lord’s return means serving Him faithfully in this world while we wait for His coming again. We should be preparing for Christ’s return by being faithful stewards of the opportunities God has given us.

So, let’s look at the parable of the talents together and see what Jesus teaches us about preparing for his return.

1. Resources Entrusted (Matt. 25:14-18)

Jesus begins this parable by connecting it to the previous parable about the ten virgins. In the LSB, Matthew 25:14 reads, “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and handed over his possessions to them.” (Matt. 25:14 LSB). What is just as a man going on a journey? The same topic that Jesus just illustrated in the previous parable, as He says in Matthew 25:1, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be like …” This is why the New King James Version supplies the context by inserting “For the kingdom of heaven is like.”

What will the kingdom of heaven be like? “… a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and handed over his possessions to them” (Matt. 25:14). Notice that the possessions belonged to the master. He was the owner and the slaves were stewards or managers of whatever the master entrusted. When the master gave the talents to the servants, both they and he knew that it was still his money. They knew that they were accountable for the master’s money. They never thought it was theirs.

From this we understand a crucial biblical truth. All that we have belongs to God. In the ultimate sense, we own nothing. Even your life is a gift from God. All the things we think are ours are really God’s. He made them, He entrusted them to us, and one day He require an accounting for what we did with them. God is the owner; we are the stewards entrusted with particular responsibilities.

Matthew 25:15 says: “And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.”

It is important for us to know that the word “talent” in this parable does not means what it means in English today. We think of a talent as a natural human ability or skill. But the word “talent” in the Bible literally refers to a unit of weight. A biblical talent weighed about seventy-five pounds and it was used as a value for money, either a talent of silver or gold. Today, that much silver would be worth about $50,000, and that much gold would be worth about $3,000,000. Most scholars say that one talent of silver in those days would represent about 20 years wages for a common laborer. So, a talent was a significant sum of money. They all were given huge responsibilities.

Notice how the master distributes his possessions. The owner didn’t practice equity, dividing everything equally to each servant. No, he gave them all different amounts, “to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one.” And Jesus tells us why they received these different various amounts. It was because he gave them “to each according to his own ability.” The master knew how much each could handle and gave expectations based on each one’s personal abilities.

Here we find the sovereign design of the Lord who entrusts each of us with various resources, abilities, and gifts so that we might use all to His glory. So, some have superb intellects, others creative abilities; some have musical gifts while others are gifted with financial resources; some can speak, others can write; some can organize, others are great doers that get the job done. All of it comes from the Lord. All of us are therefore responsible to make the most of whatever the Lord has entrusted to us as wise stewards.

Listen, God is not obligated to treat you exactly like He treats anyone else. He can give you more or less than others; and He does. You have more than some and less than others. You have more money and talent and opportunity, more strength, better health, and better connections than others. And you have less of all that than others.

We need to be careful not to envy those who have more abilities or possessions than us, or be prideful over those who have less. Rather, we should be grateful. This week as we celebrate Thanksgiving, it is a good time for us to remember this and give thanks to the good Lord for the good gifts He has given. It’s not what you have, but what you do with what you have, that makes the difference. We need to trust God’s sovereignty and be grateful for whatever He has given us and determine to use whatever God has given us for His glory.

Then, notice what the servants did with the talents that the master entrusted to them. Two of them went to work right away to make the most of what they had:

¹⁶ “Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. ¹⁷ And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.” (Matt. 25:16-17).

Here we see a good picture of faithfulness. When it says that the servant “traded with them” it literally means that he went to work with them. He poured out his energy and wisdom to make the most of the opportunity that the master had given him. He made (or gained NASB) five more. The servant who had been given two talents did the same, he gained two more. Both had an excellent return for their hard work.

Jesus is coming again. And in the meantime, Jesus the master, has entrusted to us some of His most precious and valuable things to manage. We are the servants in this parable. In practicable terms, a talent can represent any life resource that God has entrusted to our care.

Pastor Gary Hamrick applied this to six major areas of life that God entrusts to us: money, abilities, authority, possessions, position, and influence, asking about each: “If you are financially blessed, are you financially generous for the kingdom?”; “Whatever you can do well, are you doing it well for God?”; “If you have been put in charge of things, are you using that authority to promote the kingdom?”; “If you have resources and possessions that can be used for the kingdom, what are you doing with those resources for the glory of God?”; “If you are a mother, father, grandparent, an employee or an employer, student, or a teacher, are you using your position or status in life that God has given you to glorify him?”; “If God has opened doors for you such that you have opportunity to influence people, are you using that influence to impact the kingdom?”[1]

The case of the third servant is something else entirely. Jesus says, “But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.” (Matt. 25:18). He did nothing with the talent he was given except to bury it in the ground so he wouldn’t lose it. He didn’t work with it. He didn’t invest it. Keeping it in this way meant that there was no possibility of loss, but it also meant that there was no possibility of gain.

So we see the resources entrusted. Next, we see …

2. Faithfulness Rewarded (Matt. 25:19-23)

Jesus says, “After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.” (Matt. 25:19). Again, Jesus indicates to His disciples that His return would not be immediate but only after considerable time. And at His return, the Lord will call His servants to account for what He has entrusted to them. The Lord’s return will be a day of judgment. Every one of us will have to answer for what we did with what God gave us. You see that the servants knew this accounting was coming.

The first two servants were both faithful with what God had given them, and God commended both of them for it. Can you sense the enthusiasm of the first servant when he presents his return to his lord? Jesus says, “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’” (Matt. 25:20). He found great satisfaction and delight in pleasing his lord. The second servant had the same attitude, “He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’” (Matt. 25:22).

How does the master reward their them? It’s the same in both cases, “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” (Matt 25:21,23). First, there is a commendation: He calls each one a “good and faithful servant,” and says to him, “you were faithful.” What does he commend them for? Faithfulness.

Second, there is a promotion: “you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.” When you are faithful with little, you will be entrusted with more. Do you want God to entrust you with more in this life and the next? Then be faithful with what you’ve got!

Third, there is an invitation: “Enter into the joy of your lord.” The great satisfaction was not in basking in honor but in continuing to serve the one whom they loved with unflagging devotion. This is how they entered into the joy of their lord.

What a picture for us! The reward of faithfulness is that the Lord entrusts us with more of that which belongs to Him and which we are to use for His glory. Having found delight in “a few things,” He increases the personal delight and satisfaction by making us “ ruler over many things.” Listen, our service to the Lord does not end in this life. Heaven is no place for lazy bums! ” And there shall be no more curse,” John wrote, ” but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him” (Rev. 22:3). No longer hindered by tiredness or need for sleep or lost opportunity by darkness, we will continue to serve our Lord for eternity.

So, if you do not find delight in serving Christ now, I’m afraid that heaven will not be a very welcome place for you! As the slaves found sheer pleasure in being able to say they gained double what they had. Out of joy they served and were assured of continued service, and that through being enveloped in the joy of the master. Such joy is so rich, that nothing can compare to it.

But notice the contrast of the third servant. There we see …

3. Opportunity Squandered (Matt. 25:24-30)

Jesus says,

²⁴ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’” (Matt. 25:24-25).

Notice that the lack of faithfulness in this servant was due to his bad attitude about his master. This slave immediately begins to find fault with his master and place the blame on him. He calls him a hard man. He accuses him of harvesting where he has not sown and gathering where he has not scattered seed.

Was he right in what he said to the master? Clearly all three men knew the master would come back, and they all knew that he would demand an accounting. But the first two men focused on the fact their master, besides being a fair man, could also be very generous. They knew if they did a good job, they would have a great reward at the end. The third fellow lived in fear and so didn’t do anything at all. His fear of punishment was far greater than his desire to be rewarded.

So what’s his problem? He thought he knew his master, but he didn’t. Because he didn’t know him, he didn’t trust him. Because he didn’t trust him, he did nothing.

What was the master’s judgment? Jesus says,

²⁶ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷ So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸ Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. ²⁹ For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'” (Matt. 25:26-30).

The master says that this servant is “wicked and lazy.” He is worthless and has shirked his responsibility. The third servant tried to use his bad thoughts of the master as an excuse for why he had done nothing with the one talent the master had given him. But even if what the servant said about him was true (and it’s not!), that still does not excuse the servant’s behavior. If the servant was afraid of the master and thought the master was that harsh, he should have at least put the money in the bank and earned some interest for the master. As it is, he did nothing, and that was unacceptable.

Christ operates on the principle of faithfulness. He is faithful even when we falter and fail. So He calls for faithfulness in us, promising that faithfulness meets with His pleasure and has the assurance of abundant reward in His presence. “ For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.” Doing nothing for God is unacceptable. Not only will you not receive a reward, you will also lose what God initially gave you as well. We have a saying for that don’t we? You’ve got to use it or lose it! God expects you to use the opportunities and gifts He has given you for His glory.

Sadly, the parable of the talents ends the same way as the parable of the two servants, with the unfaithful servant being thrown out into the darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

And this gives us the eternal perspective of this parable. What is the most valuable thing that the Lord has left with us, wanting us to cherish and to duplicate? It’s salvation. It’s the Gospel. It’s the Good News of Jesus Christ for the salvation of souls for whoever believes and receives. That’s what carries eternal weight in this parable.

MacArthur concludes about this parable,

In the kingdom, in the church, in the assembly of the redeemed, there are going to be those who are prepared and serving the Lord. There are going to be those who are unprepared and who outwardly may be active but are not ready for his coming. And when the Lord comes, there will be a separation and a delineation based upon their service rendered to him. All excuses set aside. False service will be ended and that which they appear to be doing will be given to others in the kingdom and throughout eternity.[2]

God has entrusted us with the gospel of Jesus Christ. What have you done with the opportunity the Lord has given for you to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ? Have you believed that He died for your sins and was raised from the dead to give you eternal life? And if so, is that new life bearing fruit, multiplying in faithful service and faithful sharing of the gospel with others? Will you hear the Lord say on that day, “Well done good and faithful servant … enter into the joy of your Lord”?

—————————————————

[1] Gary Hamrick, Get Ready ‘cause Here I Come – Part 3, https://assets01.cornerstonechapel.net/documents/studyguides/20210321.pdf

[2] John MacArthur, https://www.gty.org/sermons/2377/the-tragedy-of-wasted-opportunity-part-2

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Judgment, Matthew, Second Coming / 0

November 16, 2025

The Wise or Foolish Virgins – Matthew 25:1-13

The Wise or Foolish Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

Are you ready for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ? This is the theme of the parables we are studying in Matthew 24 and 25. We are in the middle of Jesus teaching His disciples on the Mount of Olives about the destruction of Jerusalem and about His coming and the end of the age (Matt. 24:3). In Matthew 24, Jesus made it clear that the end would not come immediately, but only after some general and specific signs that would precede His coming. And He commanded His disciples to watch and be ready because no one knows the day or the hour when the Son of Man will come (Matt. 24:42,44).

To exhort us to readiness for His return, Jesus then taught three parables. Last time, from the parable of the wise or wicked servant we learned that readiness for Christ’s return includes faithfulness. If you want to be ready for the Lord’s coming, be faithful to serve your Master while He is away. We said that being ready for Christ’s return means that we watch expectantly, serve faithfully, and live holy.

Now, as we turn to Matthew 25, Jesus will teach two more parables and then describe the judgment that follows His return. The theme that ties this section together is separation in judgment. when Jesus Christ comes again, the saved will be separated from those who are lost. Whether it is the wise virgins separated from the foolish virgins; the wicked servant separated from the faithful in the parable of the talents; or the sheep separated from the goats in the judgment, this is the point that Jesus emphasized. His second coming is a day of reckoning when those who are not ready will be separated from those who are ready.

Jesus previously taught this aspect of the kingdom of heaven in His parables of the wheat and the tares and the dragnet in Matthew 13. Jesus said about the wheat and the tares that grow together in the field of the world,

⁴⁰ “Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, ⁴² and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matt. 13:40-43).

And in the parable of the dragnet Jesus said,

⁴⁹ “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, ⁵⁰ and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 13:49-50)

Jesus’ coming will be a time of judgment when the righteous are separated from the wicked. That is the theme of Matthew 25.

Today’s passage is the parable of the ten virgins or bridesmaids waiting for the coming of the bridegroom. It is a parable to teach a truth about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” (Matt. 25:1).

In order to catch the impact of this story, we need to know something about first-century Jewish wedding customs. In those days, young people got married in three stages. First, there was the arrangement or engagement, The two fathers would make an agreement as to what the dowry, obligations, and arrangements would be. Later came the betrothal, the formal religious ceremony in the bride’s home. The bride and groom exchanged marriage vows and the dowry was given to the bride. Then the groom would spend from several months to a year preparing for his wife by establishing himself in his trade or farming and preparing a place for them to live. Finally, there was a wedding banquet (or feast) at the groom’s home. The entire community could be involved in this celebration which could last even up to a week. The festivities began with a bridal procession. The groom and his friends would come to the bride’s house where she and her bridesmaids were waiting. The whole party would then parade through the streets eventually arriving at the groom’s home or other place prepared for their wedding feast. These wedding processions were often at night with the wedding attendants carrying lamps or torches to light the way and to attract attention.

Knowing this custom, the parable becomes straightforward to follow. It is fairly easy to identify the bridegroom with Jesus and the arrival of the bridegroom with the return of Christ. Ten is a nice round number, and so the ten virgins or bridesmaids represent all who are waiting for Christ, while their different actions represent those who are prepared for the waiting and those who are not.

Let’s look at this parable in three parts: 1) the waiting for the bridegroom; 2) the coming of the bridegroom; 3) the entering into the wedding banquet.

1. Waiting for the Bridegroom (Matt. 25:1-5).

The parable begins with all ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. Jesus says, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” (Matt. 25:1). These ten virgins all had several things in common. All had been invited to the banquet and all had responded positively. All ten had gone out to wait for the bridegroom. They all had their lamps with them. All the virgins wanted to see the bridegroom. All were in the right place at the right time. All fell asleep while waiting for the bridegroom. All were awakened by the midnight cry. All ten virgins got up to prepare their lamps.

Yet there was one crucial difference. Jesus said, “Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.” (Matt. 25:2). “Wise” (φρόνιμος, phronimos) is the same adjective Jesus used in the previous parable to describe the faithful servant who did his master’s will. It means prudent, astute, or sensible. Their wisdom shows up in their preparation for the bridegroom’s delay. Jesus says, “but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.” (Matt. 25:4). The wise were ready for any potential delay. They didn’t know exactly when the bridegroom would arrive, so they brought extra oil with them. They did not want to miss out on this most joyful of events, and so they were ready for any potential delay.

The description “foolish” (μωρός, mōros) in the Bible indicates not just ignorance or silliness. It especially speaks of those that are dull to the things of God. Therefore they are impious, godless, or morally worthless. Their foolishness shows up in the lack of preparation. Jesus says, “Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,” (Matt., 25:3). The foolish did not bring any extra oil for their lamps. In other words, they made a foolish assumption. They assumed that the bridegroom would come sooner than he did, and so they did not make any extra preparations in case he came later than they expected. They evidently never thought about the possibility that he might be delayed. Or if they thought about it, they dismissed it as so unlikely that it wasn’t worth worrying about. Either way, they weren’t prepared when he suddenly arrived at midnight.

Before we feel sorry for them, consider this: The foolish virgins knew the bridegroom was going to get married; they knew he would come to the banquet; and they knew they needed oil for their lamps. All ten virgins started had the same information. The five foolish virgins had everything they needed to know. And still they were not ready!

Notice Jesus does not say the bridegroom was late in coming, just that he took longer than those who were waiting for him expected. The bridegroom’s delay is seen in Matthew 24:5, “But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.” No condemnation is given to either the foolish or the wise for sleeping. What this detail shows is the apparent delay and that the foolish had more than ample time to prepare themselves. The foolish virgins found time to sleep, but they neglected to get the needed oil. The five wise virgins could rest in confident assurance that when the bridegroom arrived, they were prepared.

So, that’s the first part of the parable: waiting for the bridegroom. Next, Jesus tells about the …

2. Coming of the Bridegroom (Matt. 25:6-9).

Jesus says, “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’” (Matt. 25:6). The bridegroom came at midnight when they did not expect him. The “midnight cry” awoke them from their sleep. The command went out, “go out to meet him!” The moment has come at last! As you can imagine, there was a flurry of activity and excitement. The moment they had waited for had arrived. No more delays, no more anticipation, the time had come for all of them to be part of the wedding festivities.

“Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps” (Matt. 25:7) so that they would be ready to join the wedding procession and the festivities that will follow. The mark that you belonged to the wedding party was your lamp. Without it, one would be excluded. The ten virgins knew this. That’s why we find them busily trimming their lamps to go out and meet the bridegroom. Only then does the foolishness of the first five become apparent to all. They are low on oil and a wick without oil will not stay lit.

“And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’” (Matt. 25:8). The foolish five recognize that they are in a dire strait. Panicking, they asked the wise to give them some of their oil. “But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’” (Matt. 25:9). The wise virgins prove themselves doubly prudent. This was not selfishness, but reality. There is not enough to share.

The five foolish maids left to purchase oil, “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came …” (Matt. 25:10). The five wise vrigins joined the wedding procession to the banquet. The five foolish missed it. They knew what they needed. They had ample time to prepare. But they did not. If the foolish virgins had known that the bridegroom was going to take longer than they expected, perhaps they would have brought the extra oil. The wise virgins knew that they didn’t know when the bridegroom was coming. So, they wisely brought the extra oil. They prepared themselves for a longer wait just in case.

The next scene shows the marriage feast guests arriving and the door being shut.

3. Entering into the Wedding Banquet (Matt. 25:10-12)

Matthew 25:10 continues, “… and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.” Two phrases stand out: “those who were ready went in with him” and “the door was shut.” The wise virgins who were prepared entered the wedding banquet. They experienced the joy of the bridegroom. The language implies that the door was shut and stays shut. No one else could enter. No bargains would be made. The door was shut.

Whether or not they found oil, we’re not told. Nevertheless, they made their way to the bridegroom’s home where the wedding feast had already begun. Jesus describes the scene. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’” The double use of “Lord” stresses the urgency in their plea as well as the verb tense for “open up.” Desperate for entrance to the wedding feast, they plead with the bridegroom to open the door that had been shut. But they had failed to prepare for the bridegroom’s coming.

Then come those ominous words of judgment in Matthew 25:12, “But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’” The bridegroom says that he has no relationship with them. This is similar to Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:

²² “Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'” (Matt. 7:22-23).

Then Jesus gives us the …

Conclusion:

Jesus concludes in Matthew 25:13, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” Be watchful and prepared while you wait for Christ’s coming (Matt. 25:13).

Here is how we apply this parable to ourselves today:

You don’t know when Christ will return, so be ready now.

The first application is this: You don’t know when Christ will return, so be ready now. Don’t delay. Don’t leave things for another day. Make things right in your life with God now. You should live every day as though Christ was returning today.

Do you have oil in your lamp? Have you repented and believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? If you have, God has made you a child of God and placed the oil of His Holy Spirit in you. He will keep you burning until Christ comes. If you have not yet trusted Christ to save you, you need to do that today. We can masquerade all of our lives as Christians, and having failed to prepare through trusting in Christ, hear those decisive words, “I do not know you.” It matters not how popular you are in church or how many accolades you’ve received for service or how wonderful everyone believes you to be. What matters is knowing Jesus Christ. Are you wise or foolish? Be on the alert-Behold, the bridegroom comes!

Today, the door is open. You can come to Christ. You can receive the gift of eternal life and the forgiveness of sins. Turn from your sin and selfishness. Believe in Christ that He died for your sin and is alive forever to save you.

When Christ comes again, the door will be shut. Some people will find out the value of Christ too late. They will suddenly realize how wrong they’ve been, but the door will already be shut. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

And then the second application is this …

You don’t know when Christ will return, so be ready to wait if necessary.

Just as you need to live your life as though Jesus could return today, you also need to live your life as though Jesus might not return for a long time. That means we don’t wait by going up on a mountaintop and gazing into the sky. It means we wait by being ready at all times while we work and grow and get married and have kids and live every day to the glory of God in Christ.

Waiting is hard. It’s easy to get discouraged waiting for Christ to return. We see the signs, and we wonder why it is taking so long. You need to be prepared both for the short term and the long term. You need to be ready to live for Jesus not just for a season but for the rest of your life.

So, what do you do while you are waiting? That’s what we are going to look at in next week’s message.

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Richard Sipes / Uncategorized / Judgment, Matthew, Second Coming / 0

November 9, 2025

The Faithful or Wicked Servant – Matthew 24:45-51

The Faithful or Wicked Servant

Matthew 24:45-51

Last time we began the application section of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse. The first part of Jesus’ teaching to His disciples on the Mount of Olives was explanatory (Mat. 24:4-35). Jesus was answering the disciples’ questions about the destruction of Jerusalem and about the sign of His coming and the end of the age (Matt. 24:2-3). First, He gave them some general signs that will characterize the age before His return (Matt. 24:4-14). Second, He gave some specific signs that would immediately precede His Coming (Matt. 24:15-28). Next, He described His glorious coming (Matt. 24:29-31) and its certainty (Matt. 24:32-35).

Jesus then began to apply these truths to His disciples (and to us). Matthew 24:36 sets the thesis for the exhortations that follow—no one knows the day or the hour of the coming of the Son of Man. Because no one knows when Christ will return, He exhorts us first to “watch,” to be on the alert (Matt. 24:42) and second to “be ready” or prepared for His coming at all times.

Next, Jesus relates three parables that illustrate and exhort us to watch and be ready for His coming. How can we make sure that we are alert and ready for Christ’s return? How are we to live in light of Christ’s imminent return? Jesus teaches that readiness demands faithfulness. Faithful waiting calls for devotion and service. Another way to say that is: If you want to be ready for the Lord’s coming, be faithful to your Master. Faithful service must occupy us until Jesus comes again.

Jesus illustrates this truth with a servant who is either faithful and wise or wicked and unprepared. Jesus begins the parable by asking a question, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?” (Matt. 24:45). The premise is simple to understand. There is a master and there is a servant. This master is planning on traveling away from his household for a time. In his absence, he leaves this servant in charge of his household. This servant is to oversee the affairs of the house while his master is gone. He is to make sure that those in the house are fed at the proper time (Matt. 24:45). He is to coordinate the other servants in their duties (Matt. 24:49). He is responsible for his master’s house.

The servant can respond in one of two ways. Either he can be a faithful and a wise servant, who does exactly as his master has instructed him to do. Or, he can be an evil servant, who doubts the return of his master, neglects the duties that were given to him, abuses his fellow slaves, and lives a life of drunken pleasure. When the master returns, his response to his servant will depend upon which course of action the servant has chosen. If he was faithful and wise, he will be rewarded with more responsibility. If he was evil and self-seeking, he will be punished severely.

Let’s look at these two possibilities and what they teach us today.

1. The Wise Servant (24:45-47)

First, Jesus tells us about the faithfulness of the wise servant. The word for “servant” here means bondslave (δοῦλος doulos), one who is bound to his master in servitude. The will of the bondslave is consumed with the will of the master. By the way, this was the term that the apostles of Jesus Christ preferred when they referred to themselves and other ministers of Christ in the New Testament letters:

Romans 1:1 – “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, …”

Philippians 1:1 – “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, …”

Colossians 4:12 – “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, …”

James 1:1 – “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, …”

2 Peter 1:1 – “Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, …”

Jude 1 – “Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, …”

We are bondslaves of Jesus Christ. If that language offends you, then consider the greatness and majesty of Jesus Christ the Lord. He is the eternal God, infinite in holiness, righteousness, and justice, purer than the driven snow, omnipotent in His rule, omniscient in His decrees, with no beginning and no end of days, the Creator and Ruler of the universe.[1] And Yet, Paul also uses the word “bondslave” to describe Christ Jesus Himself in Philippians 2:7, writing that He “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” As a bondservant of His Father, Jesus “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8).

Those who realize the majesty and mercy of our Lord gladly own the title “bondslave of the Lord Jesus Christ”. We do not deserve the glorious honor of being a slave to such a worthy Master. But by God’s mercy and grace, that is what we are.

What characterizes a good bondslave? In Matthew 24:45 Jesus indicates …

A. His Attitude (45)

This servant is faithful. A faithful servant is trustworthy, dependable, reliable, and consistent. “Faithful” describes one who remains firmly and devotedly bound to another. This servant understood his place—that he was the bondslave responsible to his Master.

Spurgeon once said “I know of nothing which I would choose to have as the subject of my ambition for life than to be kept faithful to my God till death.”[2] The ancient preacher John Chrysostom said “Faithfulness in little things is a big thing.”[3]

Not only was this servant faithful, he was also “wise” (Matt. 24:45), one who is thoughtful and sensible (φρόνιμος phronimos). Jesus uses this word four times in the next parable (Matthew 25:1-13) to describe the “wise” or prudent virgins who prepared for the bridegroom’s coming by having their lamps filled with oil. Because they were wise, prudent, and sensible, they were alert and prepared.

Because he was faithful and wise, “his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season” (Matt. 24:45). He put this faithful servant in charge of the household including the care and supervision of the other servants. He was to manage the household and ensure everyone does their part and gets fed at the right time.

So the attitude of the servant is that he is faithful and wise. Notice also …

B. His Actions (46)

Jesus says, “Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.” (Matt. 24:46). This faithful and wise servant is found doing the will of his master at all times. He did not know when the master would return any more than the evil servant did. He just stayed ready at all times by doing his duty. He didn’t need to be constantly watching over his shoulder to see if his master was coming so that he could hurry and get ready.

Jesus says this servant is “blessed”. This is the same promise that Jesus gives in the beatitudes in Matthew 5. It means happy or content. This servant understood that we are most content when we are most obedient to the Master. The greatest blessing is not doing our own will, but the will of the Lord.

Faithful and wise are the attributes of this servant. His actions are to do the will of his master at all times. And then we see …

C. His Award (47)

Jesus indicated this servant’s reward, saying, “Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.” (Matt. 24:47). This servant understood that faithfulness will be rewarded by the master. Jesus teaches us that the reward of faithfulness to one’s responsibility is to be entrusted with greater responsibility. We will see this again in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 where the Lord says, “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things” (Matt. 25:21,23).

This is the reward of the faithful and wise servant. Now Jesus shifts gears in His parable from the faithful servant to …

2. The Wicked Servant (24:48-51)

Jesus says,

⁴⁸ “But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ ⁴⁹ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,” (Matt. 24:48-49).

Let’s examine the same three aspects of this servant.

A. His Attitude (48, 50)

Jesus says this is an “evil servant”. The word “evil” (κακός kakos) speaks of a lack of goodness and thus, worthless. This servant disregarded his master. He lost sight of the one he was supposed to be serving. Jesus says, “that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming” (Matt. 24:48). Due to the master’s delay, this servant was “not looking for” his master to return (Matt. 24:50). This evil and worthless attitude showed up in …

B. His Actions (49)

Jesus says that this wicked servant “… begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards” (Matt. 24:49). The evil servants’ attitude that the master would not return soon affected his treatment of others. This servant is unbelieving. The delay of his lord leads him to conclude that he is not going to return at all. His unbelief leads him to abuse his position—he becomes tyrannical and cruel in his treatment of his fellow servants. The way he treats others exposes a heart that is corrupted with self-centeredness. Then his own habits become unworthy; we find him eating and drinking with drunken men. He traded his place with the Master for the pleasures of the world.

His evil attitude of unbelief led to his wicked actions and earned him …

C. His Award (51)

Jesus says, “⁵⁰ the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,” (Matt. 24:50). Because he was not expecting the return of his master, he was unprepared. He was caught in the act by neglecting his duty, abusing others, and indulging himself. What was his reward from the master?

Maybe you have heard it said, “No man is entirely worthless, he can always serve as a bad example”. This servant is the bad example not to follow. He shows us that phoniness, laziness, and worldliness are not readiness. He didn’t fool the master. And you won’t be able to fool the Lord when He comes to judge.

Jesus says that the master “… will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 24:51). This is a severe judgment. All of this proves that the evil servant didn’t really belong to the master at all. He suffered the consequences of his evil, unbelieving heart. When the master returned, he severely punished him and assigned him his portion, his assignment or due part (μέρος meros), with the hypocrites.

What is the portion of the hypocrites? Jesus made that clear in speaking to the hypocrites of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23 calling them and their disciples “sons of hell” (Matt. 23:15) and saying, “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” (Matt. 23:33). Their portion is one of extreme anguish and misery that never ends.

That’s the parable. Its message is clear: If you want to be ready for the Lord’s coming, be faithful in service to your Master. We have a Master and Lord. His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and Son of God. Like the master in this parable, the Lord Jesus has gone away to heaven. Like the master in this parable, the Lord Jesus is coming back. Just because His return seems like it is delayed, doesn’t mean that it is not certain.

The Apostle Peter warns us about this when he writes,

³ knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, ⁴ and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Pet. 3:3-4).

Then Peter assures us that “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9). Jesus Himself just told us in Matthew 24:30, “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Like the master in this parable, Jesus has clearly assigned us responsibilities while He is away. And as servants, we are called to be faithful while our master is away; we want to be about pleasing our master according to His revealed will. And like the faithful servant, we will be rewarded for serving the Lord.

Lest you should misunderstand, let me make this clear: Good works do not get you saved. There’s only one good thing that gets you saved, and that’s the good work that Jesus did by dying on the cross for our sins. He purchased our redemption by His own blood. We do not deserve it, nor can we earn it. We simply receive salvation as a gift of God by faith in Christ and what He has already done for us. The servant did the will of his master because he trusted him and believed he was coming back to judge. He served by faith. We don’t do good works to get saved, we do good works because we have been saved. Our works are evidence that we believe Jesus is Lord and that we belong to Him. They are an overflow of our relationship with the Savior. We want to please Him because of what He has graciously done for us in forgiving our sins and making us His servants as born-again children of God.

If you have not yet been saved by believing in Jesus Christ, you need to trust in Him today. Now is the time of grace and opportunity when the gospel call goes forth and all who put their faith in Jesus will be saved. When Jesus returns, that window will close. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Repent and believe in Jesus. That’s the first thing you need to do to make yourself ready.

Then for those of us who are in Christ, what does it look like to be ready for His return? Three clear things:

Watch expectantly. You do not know when the Lord will return. But you know for certain that He will. To watch expectantly does not mean we constantly stand around gazing into the sky. It means we Keep ourselves always prepared, always ready. Watch expectantly; Christ is coming.
Serve faithfully. We are bondslaves of Christ. He will reward all who serve Him faithfully. One of the great joys of being a pastor is observing the ways that the Lord calls people to serve Him. What has Jesus Christ given you to do in His name? It may be to teach and care for children; or to organize acts of mercy; or to care for the poor; or to evangelize; or to go to a foreign mission field; or to plant churches; or to show hospitality to others; or to help with worship by using musical gifts; or to take care of little details that allow the church to function smoothly; or to pray for the salvation and needs of people; or countless other ways you can serve Christ and His church. Serve faithfully because you serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
Live holy. Don’t be like the evil servant who mistreated others and lived for his own pleasure. The fact that Christ is coming again at an hour we do not expect should compel us to holiness. Peter writes,

¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. ¹¹ Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ¹² looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? (2 Pe 3:10-12).

Learn the lesson Jesus teaches us here. Watch expectantly. Serve faithfully. Love holy.

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[1] Phil Newton, Alert, Ready, & Faithful, https://web.archive.org/web/20180811091051/http://archive.southwoodsbc.org/sermons/matthew_24.45-51.php.

[2] Charles Spurgeon, “Spurgeon at His Best: Over 2200 Striking Quotations from the World’s Most Exhaustive and Widely-read Sermon Series”, Baker Publishing Group 1988

[3] John Chysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople (349- 407), quoted on https://www.preceptaustin.org/matthew-24-commentary#24:45.

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Faithfulness, Judgment, Matthew, Second Coming, Service / 0

November 2, 2025

Are You Ready for Christ’s Coming? – Matthew 24:36-44

Are You Ready for Christ’s Coming?

Matthew 24:36-44

Are you ready for Christ’s coming? In Matthew 24:36, Jesus begins a new section of His Olivet Discourse. Remember that as Jesus left the temple in Jerusalem for the last time, He predicted it would be destroyed (Matt. 24:2). So, the disciples asked Him, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:3). They asked a “when” question and a “what” question: “when will these things be?” and “what will be the sign of your coming.”

As we have seen, Jesus answered the “what” question about the signs of His coming and the end of the age in Matthew 24:4-35. He warned them not to be deceived by false teachers, prophets, and messiahs. He predicted religious persecution, military conflicts, and natural disasters. It would culminate with the abomination of desolation and the great tribulation. After that, they would see the sign of the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

Now, Jesus deals with the “when” question. This seems to be the question that people always want the answer to, “When it Christ coming?” People will ask it in different ways, ‘Do you think we are close to the Second Coming?’; ‘Do you think these are the last days?’; ‘Could the Rapture happen soon?’

The disciples had the same question about the timing. In fact, they asked it again when Jesus appeared to them after His resurrection. It’s the last recorded question they ever asked Jesus. In Acts 1:6 they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” You can hardly blame them for asking the question. After all they had been through with Jesus, it was perfectly reasonable that they should wonder when He would establish His kingdom and rule over Israel from David’s throne in Jerusalem in fulfillment of scripture. But we must also pay attention to Jesus’ answer, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority” (Acts 1:7).

Jesus teaches them that the Father has ordained the events of the future by His divine authority. But it is not for them to know the timing. No matter how many times we may ask the question, God’s answer is always the same: “It is not for you to know.” That perspective comes through clearly in Matthew 24. In Matthew 24:36 Jesus says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” In Matthew 24:42, He says, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” In Matthew 24:44 He says, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

Jesus does not tell us when He is coming. He tells us we cannot know the exact time of His coming. We must not spend our precious time on this earth guessing about when Christ will come. Biblical prophecy is not given to us for speculation but for preparation and transformation. What Jesus teaches us in this passage is that we must use our days here making sure that we are ready for His return at all times. The question we should be asking is not, “When will Christ come?”, but “Am I ready for Christ to come?”

So, here is the one point from our text today: Only God knows the time when Christ will come, therefore, be ready at all times. Let’s consider what Jesus teaches. First, He teaches that …

1. The Son of Man Will Come …

The Biblical writers leave no question mark about whether or not Jesus Christ will return as the triumphant King. In our very text here in Matthew 24 notice how Jesus emphasizes it through repetition: Matthew 24:37, “… so also will the coming of the Son of Man be”; Matthew 24:39, “… so also will the coming of the Son of Man be”; Matthew 24:42, “… your Lord is coming”; and Matthew 24:44, “… the Son of Man is coming.”

Therefore, when Jesus says in Matthew 24:36, “But of that day and hour no one knows…”, the day and hour He is talking about is the day and hour of His coming. The word “coming” (Greek παρουσία, parousia) means “arrival, presence, or advent”[1]. When used of Jesus in the New Testament, this word becomes a technical term for the second coming or future, visible return of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:23; 1 Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; 2 Thess. 2:1; 2:8; James 5:7; 2 Peter 3:4; 1 John 2:28).

Jesus has just described what that day will be like in Matthew 24:29-31:

²⁹ “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ³⁰ Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. ³¹ And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.“

That is the day Jesus is teaching about here, the day of His future, visible, personal coming in power and glory as the king and judge.

And Jesus says in Matthew 24:36 that His coming will be …

A. At a Time Known Only to the Father (Matt. 24:36)

Jesus says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matt. 24:36). Mark’s version says, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Mark 13:32).

This teaching tells us we need to be careful not to over-interpret the signs. The signs are meant to point us to Christ’s return and prepare us for Christ’s return. However, they are not meant to pinpoint the exact time of Christ’s return. Jesus says no one knows the day or the hour, not even the angels, nor the Son, but the Father only.

This verse gives us insight into Christ’s incarnation. We know that Matthew has clearly presented Jesus Christ as the Son of God. And we know that by that title, he means that He is literally “Immanuel,” “God with us” (Matt. 1:23). In Christ, the eternal Son of God, the second person of the triune God, the One who was with God and was God, became flesh and lived as a man on earth (John 1:1-3; 14). Jesus is the God-man. Fully God and fully human. At times, Jesus exercised His divine knowledge and powers, such as when He healed sicknesses, drove out demons, walked on water, multiplied bread and fish, forgave sin, and knew what people were thinking. And at other times, Jesus limited Himself to His human capacities. Jesus was obviously not bodily omnipresent while He walked on earth. In His humanity, Jesus got tired and hungry. In His incarnation, Christ humbled Himself, not losing any of His divine attributes, but willingly limiting Himself in obedience to His Father. This is the mystery of the incarnation.

Regarding what Jesus knew as a man, MacArthur says,

Jesus obediently restricted His knowledge to those things that the Father wanted Him to know during His earthly days of humanity. The Father revealed certain things to the Son as he reaveals them to all men—through the Scripture, through the Father working in and through His life, and through the physical manifestations of God’s power and glory. … Jesus’s human knowledge was limited to what His heavenly Father provided.[2]

If the Son did not know the time of His coming, who are we to presume that we could know the day or hour? Broadus comments, “how cheerfully should we his followers rest in ignorance that cannot be removed, trusting in all things to our heavenly Father’s wisdom and goodness, striving to obey his clearly revealed will, and leaning on his goodness for support”[3]

So, if Jesus Christ, in His humanity, did not need to know when He would return, then neither do we need that kind of precise knowledge. Christ will come again but the time is known only to God and not to men or angels.

Rather, Jesus teaches that His coming will be …

B. At an Unexpected Time for the Unprepared (Matt. 24:37-41)

Jesus compares the time of His coming to the days of Noah.

³⁷ “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. ³⁸ For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, ³⁹ and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matt. 24:37-39)

What was it like in Noah’s day? It was “business as usual.” While Noah patiently built the ark and warned men of coming judgment, people just went on living life as if nothing would ever change. They could see the signs—Noah building an ark, gathering the animals and food, and preaching about the judgment to come. They must have known that at least Noah believed something was coming. But they ignored the warnings. Everyone just kept living normally with no thought of divine judgment. Even the terminology in the verse describes the casual munching of food and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage—just normal everyday life. Nothing Noah did not said phased them.

Then suddenly, but not without warning, “the flood came and took them all away.” I think it interesting that we get our English word ‘cataclysmic’ from the word for “flood.” They did not know that they were in a flood until they were in the flood! But that is how cataclysmic events happen. Jesus says, that’s what it will be like at His coming. The signs of Christ’s return will be all around them, but people will keep living their lives as though nothing will ever change. And so, when Christ comes, it will be too late for them. Just like people were not ready for the flood, many will not be ready for Christ’s return.

Our Lord makes the dreadful picture even more personal in Matthew 24:40-41,

⁴⁰ “Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. ⁴¹ Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.” (Matt. 24:40-41)

When Christ returns, God will make a distinction between those who are ready and those who are not. And Jesus shows us how personal this will be. Two men, maybe brothers, maybe a father and a son, or maybe lifelong friends go to work in their field. One is a believer; the other is not. Two women grinding at a mill, maybe they were sisters or mother and daughter or servants of the same master or best friends. One is a believer; the other is not. When Christ returns, “a complete and permanent division” takes place.[4]

Each of us will stand alone before God in that day. It won’t matter who your parents were, who you were married to or what church you attended. The only question that will matter is do you know Jesus? Are you ready for His coming?

The return of Jesus Christ is a time unknown to us, a time when the world seems to be operating on normalcy, and a time that is unexpected. So in light of this, how do you prepare for His return?

2. We Should Respond with …

Three conditions ought to characterize us who expect Christ to return: watchfulness, readiness, and faithfulness. Two are in our passage today and the third we will look at next week. First, we should respond to the fact of Christ’s coming with …

A. Watchfulness (Matt. 24:42)

Notice Matthew 24:42 begins with “therefore”, a hinge word that indicates a conclusion. Jesus is drawing an application, telling us what to do in light of His coming. “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” (Matt. 24:42).

First, Jesus issues a command, “Watch”, and then He gives a rationale for it “for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” “Watch” means to be alert, stay awake, be vigilant, and pay attention. Then Jesus gives an illustration of what He means. “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.” (Matt. 24:43).

How does a thief come to your house? Suddenly and unannounced. After all, if you knew a thief was coming at 3:15 a.m. on Thursday morning, you would be ready for him, but thieves rarely call and make appointments in advance. “I’ll try to be there by 3:15 but it might be closer to 4:00 because we’ve got two other houses to rob, but it would help if you would just pile the stuff in the middle of the floor so we don’t have to search through all your drawers. And if you wouldn’t mind leaving the door unlocked, it would save us some time.” It never happens that way, does it?

Jesus is coming like a thief in the night. When people are not expecting Him, He’ll return to the earth. Therefore, do not be like the unsuspecting homeowner. You know He is coming, just not when He is coming. Therefore, watch!

How often do you think about Christ’s return? Are you keeping watch? When you see the clouds in the sky, do you long for His return? When you see wars, persecutions, false prophets, and the gospel being proclaimed in all the world, do you long for His coming? Do you wake up each morning hoping for the return of Christ? That’s the first thing Jesus tells us in this section. Keep watch, because you do not know when He will come.

Second we should respond with …

B. Readiness (Matt. 24:43-44)

Jesus again concludes, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matt. 24:44).

Jesus is telling us to prepare for something that is certain. He will return. We do not know the time or day. We cannot pinpoint a spot on a prophetic calendar to give us ease of mind about when He comes. He calls for us to be ready to meet Him at any time. “Be ready,” because we do not know when Christ comes, and we do not want Him to return and find us unprepared.

Next time, we will look at how to be ready by being faithful. But to conclude today, let me just ask you, Are you ready to meet Jesus Christ? He is either coming in your lifetime, or you will go to meet Him when you die. Are you ready? You do not know the day or hour when you will meet the Lord face to face. Are you ready?

Have you repented and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ? Only those who in Christ will be able to stand in the judgment because they stand on the finished work of Christ. You need to know Jesus and trust him as your Savior. Now is the time of grace and opportunity when the gospel call goes forth and all who put their faith in Jesus are saved. When Jesus returns, that window will close. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Put your trust in Jesus today.

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[2] Joh MacArthur, MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Matthew 24-28, Moody Publishers, Chicago, p. 72.

[3] John Broadus, quoted by Paul Apple from D.A. Carson’s Matthew Commentary on https://www.bibleoutlines.com/matthew-24236-44-be-discerning-be-alert-be-prepared-for-the-return-of-christ-in-judgment/.

[4] Leon Morris, The Gospel of Matthew, 615

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Matthew, Second Coming / 0

October 26, 2025

The Parable of the Fig Tree – Matthew 24:32-25

The Parable of the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:32-25

In our study of Matthew 24, last time we looked at Jesus’ prediction and description of His second coming (Matthew 24:28-31). We saw that His return will be public, powerful, and purposeful. Christ will come in the sky with power and great glory. This sign will be visible to all. It will be accompanied by cataclysmic events in the heavens and on earth. All the nations will mourn, and God will send His angels to gather of the elect.

The Lord’s return will be as real and historical an event as was His first coming. As believers in Jesus Christ, we should always be looking back to the moment of our saving faith in Christ, when our souls were redeemed. But we must also look forward with anxious anticipation towards the return of Christ, when our bodies will be redeemed and we will enter into the promised fullness of the kingdom of heaven. In that day, Satan will be defeated, the cursed lifted, Christ worshiped, creation restored, sin and death conquered, and all the saints glorified.

Among the many passages in Scripture that describes the Lord’s return, the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24-25) is unique and special because it’s the message that comes directly from Jesus Himself about His return. Remember that Jesus teaches about these things in response to the question of the disciples in Matthew 24:3, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” The disciples had been in awe of the temple buildings and its enormous stones as they left Jerusalem, and Jesus had told them, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.” (Matt. 24:2). The disciples thought the magnificent temple with its massive stones was permanent. Jesus says it is temporary.

They thought that the temple and the city of Jerusalem would last forever. Jesus revealed that they’re actually going to be destroyed, and so this question of then, what’s permanent, must be in their minds. When will this happen? If this is impermanent, then what is permanent? As we look at these four verses that we’re studying today, I think the unifying theme is not so much the timing of Christ coming, but rather the trustworthiness of Christ’s words.

All we have as we look forward to the end of the age are the words of Christ, spoken either by Him, His apostles, or His prophets in the Bible. So if we are going to be ready for the coming of Christ, we must cling to His word.

In these four verses (Matt. 24:32-35), Jesus emphasizes what we can know with certainly. He says, “you know that summer is near,” (Matt. 24:32) and “know that it is near—at the doors!” What do we know? The things about Christ’s coming that He has just taught. How can we know? By the words of Christ.

First, let’s consider…

1. The Analogy of the Fig Tree (24:32)

Jesus says, “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.” (Matt. 24:32). Jesus tells very short parable about the fig tree. Remember that a parable is a story or illustration thrown alongside a spiritual truth. In this case, the parable is a simple analogy.

MacArthur points out that the Jews were used to the fig tree and figs functioning as illustrations. Jotham used a fig tree in his story shouted to the inhabitants of Shechem from the top of Mount Gerizim (Jdg. 9:10-11); Jeremiah saw two baskets of figs in his vision after Nebuchadnezzar took captives from Judah to Babylon (Jer. 24:1-10); Hosea used it as a figure in his prophecy about Israel (Hos. 9:10); and Joel used a splintered fig tree to illustrate the devastation of Judah by a plague of locusts (Joel 1:4-7). Jesus Himself had used the fig tree on numerous other occasions as a teaching aid (see Matt. 7:16; 21:19; Luke 13:6-9).[1]

Because it is so widely used in scripture, and sometimes refers to the nation of Israel, some have equated the fig tree in this parable with Israel. Hal Lindsay and others put a lot of weight on the formation of the modern state of Israel in 1948. In fact, this became a major factor in some people thinking that the rapture or second coming would take place in 1988 (forty years or a generation after the budding of Israel, the fig tree). Perhaps some of you remember the booklet “88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Be in 1988” written by Edgar C. Whisenant, a former NASA engineer, that predicted the Rapture would occur that year between September 11-13.[2] We all know that the rapture did not occur in 1988 or since then. They were wrong partly because they got the parable of the fig tree wrong.

In this parable, Jesus is simply talking about the change in season, using the fig tree as an example. During the days of Jesus, the fig tree was a very common tree in Israel, much as it is today. In those regions of the world, fig trees put forth their fruit for nine months of the year. They are dormant during a few winter months, but come out in blossoms during the early spring. It was one of the first plants to put forth its buds. When it does, you know full well that summer is near.

That is the illustration. Next, Jesus gives …

2. The Application of the Parable (24:33)

Jesus says, “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near–at the doors!” (Matt. 24:33). Just as you can look upon the change in seasons and can tell when summer is near, so also can you look at the signs that Jesus has spoken and realize when the Lord is near.

Jesus said that when you see “all these things,” you should be able to know that the time is near. What are “these things”? Jesus has spent much of His discourse describing the things that will take place before He comes. In Matthew 24:4-14, Jesus gave some general signs that will characterize the time between His first coming and His second coming: wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes in various places, apostasy, persecution, standing firm to the end, and the gospel being preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations. Most of these signs have been present throughout the whole church age, just in varying degrees of frequency and intensity. This is exactly what we are to expect from birth pains. When labor begins, we may not know exactly when the baby will come, but we know that the birth is near. Then in Matthew 24:15-28 Jesus gave specific signs that will occur during a time of great tribulation: abomination of desolation, people running for their lives, false Christs, false prophets, and then the celestial signs that occur when Christ comes.

Jesus says that when you see all of these things, you know that it is near, it’s “at hand.” The lesson of the fig tree is this: “know that summer is near!” The lesson for us today is this: “know that the Lord is near!” This is the language of the New Testament writers. In Philippians 4:5, Paul wrote, “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” Peter wrote, “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7). James said, ” You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. … Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:8-9). In Revelation, Jesus says, “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Rev. 22:12).

We need to learn this lesson. When we think of the coming of Jesus, we ought not to think that it is a long way off. We ought to think of the coming of Jesus as soon and near.

We have seen the analogy of the fig tree, the application of the parable, and now we see …

3. The Assurance of Christ’s Words (24:34-35)

In Matthew 24:34, Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”

“This generation” here could refer to the generation present at Jesus’ time which would see the beginning of each of these signs; it could refer to the final generation which will see the completion of each of these signs; it could refer to the unbelieving nation of Israel; or it could also refer to the human race as a whole.

“All these things” must refer to what Jesus has just taught in Matthew 24:4-31. All these things certainly began to take place when some of Jesus ‘ disciples were still alive. In the events leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by the Romans in AD 70, some of these things occurred. I believe the events in that generation were a foreshadowing of worse things to come in the final generation. However, many aspects of Jesus’ prophecy did not occur in AD 70; for example, the celestial signs and the coming of the Son of Man in power and glory in Matthew 24:28–31.

How do we know that all these things will take place? Jesus answers that in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” This is an amazing statement that Jesus makes here. He says that His words are more permanent than the universe. Do you realize that only God could make a statement like that?

Creation displays remarkable consistency according to the God-ordained laws that govern it, such as the sun rising in the east and setting in the west or the cycle of the stars. Yet, according to Jesus, the truth of His teaching is more certain than night following day or the constellations in the sky. The Bible is clear that the creation as we know it is not permanent. For instance, Isaiah reports that, in the end times, the earth will be destroyed:

“¹⁹ The earth is violently broken, The earth is split open, The earth is shaken exceedingly. ²⁰ The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, And shall totter like a hut; Its transgression shall be heavy upon it, And it will fall, and not rise again. … ⁴ All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, And the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll; All their host shall fall down As the leaf falls from the vine, And as fruit falling from a fig tree.” (Isaiah 24:19–20; 34:4).

Although the present world, which God cursed because of sin (Genesis 3:17–19), will come to an end, Isaiah reveals that a new, uncursed world will arise: “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.” (Isaiah 65:17; cf. 66:22).

In the New Testament, Peter’s description is even more detailed than Isaiah’s: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.” (2 Peter 3:10). He adds that creation will experience renewal: “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13). Furthermore, in the book of Revelation, echoing Isaiah and Peter, John writes, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1). The heavens and the earth aren’t eternal, but the words of Jesus are.

When He says His words will never pass away, Jesus builds on His teaching about the words of God in the Sermon on the Mount: ““For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:18). Jesus’ statement in Matthew 24:35 about the eternal nature of His words reveals that they are of the same nature as the Father’s words, inscribed in Scripture—they stand forever. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 119:160, “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.”

Isaiah 40:8 foreshadows the contrast Jesus makes in Matthew 24:35: “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.” One day the sun, moon, and stars will cease to exist, and the earth, sea, and sky will perish. Yet Jesus’ words will not pass away. They are eternally fixed, reflecting the unchanging character of God (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). As the psalmist says,

²⁵ Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. ²⁶ They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. ²⁷ But You are the same, And Your years will have no end. (Psalm 102:25–27).

The Word of Christ is more lasting and sure than the heavens and the earth. In God’s time and in God’s way, every Word will be fulfilled perfectly. The uncertainty of the exact time of Christ’s coming should make us more watchful, expectant and prepared not carelessly wasting our lives merely delving into the indulgence of the world and the flesh. Charles H. Spurgeon said, “Time is short. Eternity is long. It is only reasonable that this short life be lived in the light of eternity.”

As I close today, I urge you to meditate on this statement of Jesus, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matt. 24:35). Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount saying,

²⁴ “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: ²⁵ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.” (Matt. 7:24-25).

Is your life founded on the solid rock of Christ and His eternal words? He proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 4:17). He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28). He said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).

Jesus is the Son of Man and Son of God who came to give His life on the cross to redeem you from sin and death. The only proper response is to repent, change your mind and heart about Jesus; come to Him; believe He died for your sins and was raised for your justification. He has the words of life.

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[1] John MacArthur, MacArthur New Testament Commentary: Matthew 24-28, Moody Publishers, Chicago 1989, p. 61.

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_C._Whisenant

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Matthew, Second Coming / 0

October 19, 2025

The Gift of Deacon Ministry – Acts 6:1-7

The Gift of Deacon Ministry

Acts 6:1-7

The church of our Lord Jesus Christ is not simply a charitable organization, it is a living organism. Its origin is divine. Its mission is global. Its aspiration is holiness. Its nature is love. A study of the divine blessing upon the early church in the book of Acts reveals the love and unity among the family of faith. By the time we reach Acts 6, the church has been increasing, and thousands of people have been born into the family of God. It is at this point that God gives a gift to the local church. It is the gift of the ministry of deacons.

They are not called by that name in this passage, but it is clear that this is what they were. These seven were the very first to be appointed to the church ministry that would become the office of the deacon. The word deacon means “servant”, and that is what these men were called to do. They were appointed to the task of serving. In Acts 6:1, the term “distribution” (διακονία, diakonia) is from the same root word as the term deacon. In Acts 6:2, the word “serve” is the related verb form (διακονέω, diakoneō). They functioned as “deacons” serving the church.[1]

But why were they needed?

1. The Problem (Acts 6:1-2)

They were needed because the church experienced a problem. There are no perfect churches – not this one, not the church across town, not that church you watch online. Every church has problems. Acts 6 begins with a problem that the early church faced.

¹ Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. (Acts 6:1).

The church in Jerusalem was experiencing rapid growth. Souls were being saved, disciples were being taught, lives were being changed. But along with this explosive growth came a problem. The problem manifested in “ a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists.” The “Hebrews” were the Aramaic-speaking Jews from the area around Jerusalem and Galilee. The “Hellenists” were Greek-speaking Jews from other nations. There were Jews from both groups who had believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and became part of the church in Jerusalem.

One of the ministries of this church in Jerusalem was caring for the poor and needy “widows” who were part of the church. Many Jews who professed Christ were disowned and disinherited by their unbelieving families. There were no government agencies, welfare systems, or insurance policies to help these poor, believing widows if their families could not or would not. Through their generosity, the church distributed food to the widows daily.

The Hellenist Jews were complaining that “their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.” The Hellenistic Jews were convinced that the Hebraic Jews and the Apostles were showing favoritism to each other and that they were being slighted. Jealousy and division arose within the family of faith. Nothing divides the church more quickly or severely than complaining, grumbling, and murmuring.

The apostles recognized that this was not just a personal, cultural, or financial problem. It was a spiritual problem that put at odds two priorities: preaching the word and serving tables. Acts 6:2 says, “² Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.””

Both the ministry of the word of God and the ministry of serving tables were necessary, legitimate, and significant. But they were not equal priorities. If something wasn’t done, division at the tables would hinder the declaration of the word. The apostles were not above serving tables. But their God-given responsibility was to preach and teach the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. It was harmful to the church to allow anything to distract from the proclamation of the word.

Thus, the ministry of the deacon was born out of a potential problem. It finds its instigation in service, in meeting the practical needs of the membership. Why? In order to keep the unity of the family of faith in the bond of peace. Deacons ought to be the best at that of anyone. The primary reason for the ministry of deacons is to maintain love and unity among the family of faith.

Next, we see the …

2. The Solution (Acts 6:3-6)

The twelve apostles “summoned the multitude of the disciples” (Acts 6:2) to propose a solution so that the priorities of the church would not be compromised. Acts 6:3-4 is their proposed solution:

³ “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; ⁴but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:3-4).

Prioritizing the ministry of the word, the needs of the congregation, and the leadership of the Spirit shaped the proposal. Their strategy was to have the members minister to one another. The members were to select seven men to oversee the daily distribution to the widows. No single individual was put in charge. The seven men were to work together for mutual support and spiritual accountability. The qualification for leading this work was godliness, not giftedness.

The members were to select men “of good reputation.” Their godly testimony was to be respected throughout the congregation. Likewise, they were to be “full of the Holy Spirit.” This is the normal Christian life. In Ephesians 5, Paul commands all of us to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). Worldly, carnal, or self-willed people should not lead the church. The men were also to be “full of … wisdom,” who knew how to make practical decisions in a godly manner. These were high standards. But that’s how it should be.

The congregation was to choose these men so that the apostles could give themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). Prayer and the ministry of the word are not the pastor’s job. They’re the pastor’s life. When the deacon performs his ministry, there’s a beautiful integration with that of the pastor. The spiritual and practical needs of the members are met. It’s not just the pastor or elders that are “in the ministry”. Every member is a minister. Every member has a ministry. Every member serves the Lord and His church. We are all joined together in the body of Christ to serve the Lord by serving one another. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12,

⁴ There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. (1 Cor. 12:4-7).

Every member of the church has gifts to be used in ministry in various activities for the building up of the body of Christ.

So, Acts 6:5 tells us how the church responded to this proposal by the apostles:

⁵ And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, ⁶ whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. (Acts 6:5-6).

We see the unity of the church in the seven selected and confirmed. The most crucial detail about this list is that they are Greek, indicating they were Hellenists. The church resolved the problem by protecting the unity, not protecting their turf.

The twelve affirmed these men before the entire church. The fact that they made it through the congregation’s screening process proved they had what was needed for the task. They had a good reputation, were filled with the Spirit, and conducted themselves with wisdom. The laying on hands did not impart any special gift, unction, or ability. It simply affirmed these men in their ministries and set them apart for the purpose for which they had been chosen.

Finally, we see …

3. The Result (Acts 6:7)

Acts 6:7 is a progress report, “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.” When the church is united in love and devotion, the word of God increases. The Lord put his stamp of approval on this church unity by moving from increasing to multiplying their number.

Conclusion

The ministry of the deacon finds its instigation in Acts 6. Every deacon should ask himself a question…“Why am I a deacon?” The very office of the deacon was born out of a problem. The deacon’s primary task is to serve and to keep the unity in the church. What should characterize the deacon? He should be a true believer of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. How should the church operate? It should function by integrating the ministry of pastors, deacons, and members. It should all be about the business of inspiring unity in the body of Christ which in turn enables the ministry of the word and prayer, which results in a multiplying of men and women coming to faith and growing in Jesus Christ.

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[1] Other evidence for these men being chosen to the “office” of deacon includes: 1) these men had to meet certain spiritual qualifications (Acts 6:3) much like the qualifications of deacons that Paul later outlines in 1 Timothy 3:8-13; 2) They were selected by the church at the direction of the apostles (Acts 6:3-5); and 3) These men were formally ordained by the laying on of hands (Acts 6:6).

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Richard Sipes / Church Membership, Sermons / Acts, Church, Deacons, Ministry / 0

October 12, 2025

The Coming of the Son of Man — Matthew 24:27-31

The Coming of the Son of Man

Matthew 24:27-31

Today we come to the climactic event in Jesus’ Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24—the coming of the Son of Man. The Bible emphatically declares that Jesus Christ will return to earth. The story of Jesus, and indeed the story of mankind, salvation history, and the kingdom of God are not complete until Christ returns. The Old Testament is filled with prophecies of the coming of Christ—not just His first coming but also His second coming. There are over 1,800 predictions of Christ’s second coming in the Old Testament. There are over 300 references to the second coming in the 260 chapters of the New Testament. One out of every thirty verses in the New Testament refers to the second coming of Christ.[1]

Jesus is teaching about His coming in response to the disciples’ question in Matthew 24:3. Leaving the temple in Jerusalem for the final time, they had pointed out the marvelous buildings and splendor of the temple—to which Jesus replied, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down” (Matt. 24:2). When Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives the disciples came and asked him, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matt. 24:3).

In answering them, Jesus addressed both these their questions. He told them general signs that would characterize the whole period of the time prior to His coming (Matt. 24:4-14). Then He told them about the great tribulation (Matt. 24:15-26) and the sign of the abomination of desolation that would mark its beginning (Matt. 24:15). In our passage today, He tells about what follows that great tribulation, namely, The Coming of the Son of Man (Matt. 24:27-31). I want to just point out three truths about Christ’s coming today: it will be public, powerful, and purposeful.

First, the Coming of the Son of Man will be …

1. Public (Matt. 24:27-29)

Jesus contrasts His real coming with the false Christs and their false prophets. Unlike these imposters who supposedly appear privately out “in the desert” or “in the inner rooms” (Matt. 24:26), the coming of the Son of Man will be public for all to see, “as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west” (Matt. 24:27). It will be visible, obvious, and unmistakable. In Matthew 24:30 Jesus says “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

In Matthew 24:29 Jesus indicates the timing of His coming. He says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days…” The “tribulation” that Jesus speaks of here is the period of time He described in detail in verses 15-28—that future period He called “great tribulation” (Matt. 24:22). I believe Jesus is referring to the time that the Bible describes elsewhere as one in which the “man of sin” (2 Thess. 2), the Antichrist (1 John 2:18), will rise to world dominance, and which will be characterized by unprecedented suffering for both the Jewish people and for those who follow Jesus the Messiah. It’s a time that will be cut short by the return of our Lord (Matt. 24:22), and by the outpouring of God’s righteous wrath on those who sinfully rebel against Him.

Now some of you might be wondering about what has been called “the rapture”. This event is clearly taught by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4 where he says,

¹⁶ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. ¹⁷ Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

That passage certainly describes a “rapture” or “catching up” of believers in the clouds after the dead in Christ have been raised. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul also writes about this resurrection, saying it will occur, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Cor 15:52).

The question is not if there will be a resurrection of the dead and a rapture of believers in Christ, but when it will occur. Many believe that believers in Jesus Christ, His true church, will be raptured prior to the great tribulation period that Jesus just spoke about. I believe this is a viable interpretation of New Testament prophetic passages, but it is certainly not the only viable view. I don’t believe you can definitively prove when the rapture occurs from Matthew 24. Those who hold the pre-tribulation rapture position find support for it in 1 Thessalonians 4, in 1 Corinthians 15, and in passages that indicate that God will save believers from the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9; 2 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 3:10; 4:1). The Bible plainly teaches us that God’s wrath will not be poured out on those who are in Christ. Jesus Himself has taken all the wrath for our sins on His cross.

Yet, we also know from Matthew 24 and from the rest of the New Testament that believers in Christ in all ages will endure persecution and tribulation. The experience of the church throughout its history has been characterized by what our Lord forewarned His disciples in John 16, saying, “In this world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). Even today, many of our brothers and sisters in some parts of the world are experiencing dreadful tribulation for their faith. But the encouragement that Jesus gives us in the midst of tribulation is “but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

So, whether you hold to a rapture of the church prior to the “great tribulation” or not, we must be ready for persecution and tribulation all throughout our Christian life. What Matthew 24:29 tells us is that the experiences of tribulation—and even ultimately the “great tribulation”—will come to an end. And it will be “Immediately after the tribulation of those days” that our Lord will gloriously return.

His return will be marked by cosmic disruptions. Matthew 24:29 says, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.” This is Old Testament cataclysmic language for the day of the Lord, the day when God comes to judge the world. (Isaiah 13:10, 34:4; Joel 2:29; 3:14). Because of this, some Bible scholars and teachers have concluded that these things must be figurative or symbolic. But they seem to be describing literal events, just as the tribulation was literal.

In Luke’s account of the Olivet Discourse, Jesus says, “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Luke 21:25-26). Jesus says these cosmic events will cause men’s hearts to fail from fear. I believe that Jesus is describing the cosmic disturbance that comes alongside His return to earth. When He comes there will be the darkening of the sun and moon, and the falling of stars!

It’s not too unreasonable to conclude this because the coming of the Son of Man will be …

2. Powerful (Matt. 24:29-30)

In Matthew 24:30, Jesus tells us, “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” When our Lord calls Himself “the Son of Man”, He is taking His name directly from the messianic prophecy of Daniel 7:13. He is “One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven!” He is the One of whom Daniel says, “Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.” (Daniel 7:14).

But what is the “sign of the Son of Man” that He speaks of? Is it the cosmic events of Matthew 24:29? Is it a sign or banner in the sky that signals His coming? Or is it the actual appearing of the Son of Man? Whatever it is, I have confidence that no one will misunderstand its meaning—that the Son of Man is now appearing on the earth and beginning His glorious reign. All the earth will see His return.

In fact, Jesus says viewing the “sign of the Son of Man” will cause “all the tribes of the earth will mourn.” I believe we should understand this “mourning” in at least two ways. In Zechariah 12:10, we’re told that, when the Lord makes His return to Jerusalem, “then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” So, for the tribes of Israel (that’s the context of Zechariah 12), this will be a mourning and wailing of repentance over having crucified their King. They will finally recognize Jesus as the Messiah, and welcome His rule as King!

But it won’t be a mourning of “repentance” for all. For the majority of the people of the earth, it will be a time of wailing in fear. The apostle John, in the Book of Revelation, writes;

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:12-17).

The nations will mourn when Christ returns because then it will be too late to repent and put your faith in Jesus.

The tribes of the earth, we’re told, then “will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” In the Bible, “clouds” are often symbolic of God’s heavenly majesty and glory. In Matthew 17, when Jesus was transfigured before His disciples on the mountain, we’re told, “a bright cloud overshadowed them” (Matt. 17:5). Later, when the Lord Jesus ascended to His Father as the disciples watched, “He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). In Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man, He appeared “coming with the clouds of heaven” (Daniel 7:13).

His coming is powerful. Jesus says it is “with power and great glory” (Matt. 24:30). In Revelation 19, John describes His coming in these words:

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:11-16).

Christ’s coming will be glorious!

Finally, we see that the Coming of the Son of Man will be …

3. Purposeful (Matt. 24:30-31)

Jesus ended His answer to the disciples’ second question about the sign of His coming by telling them, “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” (Matt. 24:31).

In Jesus’ parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13, the owner of the field said, “Let both (the wheat and the tares) grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”” (Matt. 13:30). In explaining the parable to His disciples, Jesus said,

…”He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸ The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked one. ³⁹ The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels. ⁴⁰ Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, ⁴² and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. ⁴³ Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matt. 13:37-43).

And again, after telling the parable of the dragnet, Jesus says, “So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just” (Matt. 13:49). They go out at His command, accompanied with a “great sound of a trumpet”. A trumpet is used to blast a sound that summons people from afar. This great trumpet will gather together His elect. The term, “His elect” refers the saved, all the people who have believed in Jesus as the Son of Man and Son of God. They were known and chosen by Him before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). When the great trumpet is sounded, every living believer on earth will be gathered by the angels.

What a joyous sound this will be for the saints! Their Redeemer has come, and now they are about to enter into the joy of the inheritance of their Lord!

Christ will come in the sky with power and great glory. This sign will be visible to all. It will be accompanied by cataclysmic events. All the nations will mourn, and God will send his angels for the gathering of the elect.

These are glorious words. And yet, these are sobering words. As a believer in Christ, there is no need to fear the second coming of the Son of Man. When He comes, He has a purpose: to rescue and to judge. The believer loves His appearing, because He loves the king! At the end of his life, Paul writes, “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:8). Do you long for (and love) His appearing? When Christ comes back, He will reward those who “have loved His appearing!” We are those who are “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13).

Here is the application of this great truth. Jesus is coming. That much is certain. The precise time is hidden in the heart of God. It may be soon. Since no one knows when He will come, our attitude and duty as believers is clear:

Believe in His coming.

Pray for His coming.

Love His coming.

Preach His coming.

Watch for His coming.

Wait for His coming.

Expect His coming.

Live for His coming.

Live as if it might be today and one day you won’t be disappointed. If you don’t know Jesus, don’t wait another day, another hour, another second. Repent today. Run to the cross, lay your sins on Jesus, and trust Him as your Savior. Confess Him as your Lord. This is the most important decision you can ever make. Don’t be caught unprepared when the Son of Man returns to the earth.

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[1] H.B. Charles, Jesus Is Coming Again | Mark 13:24-27, https://hbcharlesjr.com/resource-library/sermon-outlines/jesus-is-coming-again-mark-1324-27/ accessed 9/13/2025.

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Matthew, Second Coming / 0

October 5, 2025

Great Tribulation, Part 2 — Matthew 24:15-28

matthew-24_21-img_0745-edit-for-then-there-will-be-great-tribulation

Great Tribulation, Part 2

Matthew 24:15-28

Last time, we began looking at this section of the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 where Jesus tells about great tribulation. He says in Matthew 24:21, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” This time describes what will take place on earth prior to the return of Christ. It’s that unprecedented period of trouble that is mentioned in several places in the Old Testament. Isaiah 26:20 calls it “the indignation“. Jeremiah 30:7 calls it “the time of Jacob’s trouble“. Joel 2:1 refers to it by the broad name “the day of the LORD“. Daniel 12:1 calls it “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time“.

Remember that in Matthew 24-25 Jesus is teaching His disciples about His “coming … and the end of the age” in answer to their question in Matthew 24:3. We already saw in Matthew 24:4-14, some general signs, or birth-pains, that will characterize the times that precede Christ’s coming. And last time we looked in detail at Matthew 24:15 where Jesus describes …

1. The Event That Signals the End (Matt. 24:15)

Jesus said, “Therefore when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place” (whoever reads, let him understand), (Matt. 24:15). So, as Jesus instructed us, we took time to dive deep into the prophecies of Daniel to understand just what “the abomination of desolation” means and why it signals the end.

We saw that this sign was foreshadowed by a similar “abomination of desolation” during the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes in the second century before Christ as Daniel predicted. And in a sense, it was also foreshadowed by the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, just as Daniel and Jesus had both prophesied.

But the conclusion that I demonstrated from Daniel, Matthew, and the rest of scripture is that this sign is yet to be ultimately fulfilled in the future, just prior to the second coming of Christ. I believe it will be fulfilled by rise of the one whom John calls “the Antichrist” (1 John 2:18)—the future, satanically empowered world ruler described in dreadful detail in Revelation 13 as “the beast” who deludes the whole world into worshiping himself. Paul describes him as the “man of sin” in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12, whose revealing is immediately associated with “the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him” (2 Thess. 2:1).

The sign of the abomination of desolation is so specific that on the basis of it, Christ warned those living in Judea to flee when it occurs. His instructions were dramatic, as recorded in Matthew 24:16-20. There, we see …

2. The Tribulation Prior to the End (Matt. 24:16-21)

Jesus says that when “the abomination of desolation” (Matt. 24:15) is seen—when the Antichrist sets up the defiling image in the temple of God, and declares himself to be God (2 Th. 2:4) …

¹⁶ “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of his house. ¹⁸ And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.” (Matt. 24:16-18)

These instructions from the Lord describe the desperate urgency that will characterize the times. These are instructions specifically for those “who are in Judea,” the area around Jerusalem. A man shouldn’t run to the safety of the city, but rather should run for the hills of the wilderness. He shouldn’t even bother to get his valuables out of his house, or even bother with basic comforts such as his coat. It would be better to shiver in the cold than to fail to get away. He also adds to the sense of urgency by describing how horrible it will be for those whose travel is impeded:

¹⁹ But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ²⁰ And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. (Matt. 24:19-20)

This kind of urgency was needed in the times that preceded the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 also. And some interpret this passage in Matthew and the corresponding one in Mark to be fulfilled at that time. One of the major reasons that they interpret it this way is because they interpret Matthew and Mark based on Jesus’ teaching in Luke. Luke 21 is his account of the Olivet Discourse.

But to me, it is clear that Luke records a different part of Jesus’ Olivet Discourse that Matthew and Mark do not. The warning is similar, but the circumstances and the sign are different. Listen to Luke 21:20-24,

²⁰ “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near. ²¹ Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her. ²² For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. ²³ But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people. ²⁴ And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:20-24).

Did you notice the significant differences in Luke’s account of Jesus’ warning? Luke’s sign relates to the city of Jerusalem (Luke 21:20), in Matthew’s account, the sign relates specifically to the temple, “the holy place” (Matt. 24:15). In Luke, the sign is Jerusalem surrounded by armies; in Matthew, it is the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place. In Luke, Jesus predicts great distress in the land and wrath on “this people” (the Jews); in Matthew, Jesus predicts unparalleled great tribulation on the world. He says, “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” (Matt. 24:21). In Luke, the distress is followed by the Jews being led away into captivity among the nations and Jerusalem trampled by the Gentiles; in Matthew, the tribulation is followed by signs in the heavens and the visible coming of Christ.

I believe that Luke and Matthew are describing different events. In Luke, Jesus is warning His disciples to flee Jerusalem prior to the destruction of the city the Romans. In Matthew, Jesus is warning about the great tribulation that will occur prior to His second coming. While the two events have some things in common, Matthew’s account clearly looks beyond the fall of Jerusalem to the end of the age. The events surrounding fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD may foreshadow the great tribulation prior to the second coming of Christ, but its fulfillment remains in the future.

Here in Matthew 24, Jesus didn’t go into specific detail about all the things that will occur in the great tribulation. But He tells us enough to let us know that He knows that they will be unprecedented. In Revelation 6-19 our Lord does give John a vision of this tribulation. What we need to remember is that Jesus knows what will happen. It is not a surprise to Him. The severity of the tribulation and persecution of those days is only by God’s divine permission and design. In fact, in Matthew 24:22 Jesus clearly states …

3. The Divine Limit of the End (Matt. 24:22)

Matthew 24:22 says, “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.”

The context of this verse is the great tribulation that Jesus has just warned about. The conjunction ”And” connects Matthew 24:22 to Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:21. On one hand, this verse serves to emphasis the unparalleled, unprecedented severity of the Great Tribulation; on the other hand, it emphasizes the sovereign control of the Lord over all the events of this world.

Look at the severity of it, “unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved.” The term “no flesh” refers to humanity (Jer. 12:12; Rom. 3:20; 1 Cor. 1:29; Gal. 2:16). This is yet another reason why we know that Jesus is speaking of something beyond the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD. That was a horrible distress; but it was not so intense that, unless it had been cut short, all flesh would perish. But the great tribulation will be that severe. It will be a time in which, unless God’s hand intervened to cut it short, it would result in the complete destruction of all human life. Unless God puts a stop to the tribulation, no one would survive.

But the total destruction of all flesh will not occur! God does not let evil run unrestrained. Jesus says, “but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” The elect are those the Lord has chosen for Himself, believers in Jesus Christ. There will be both Jewish and Gentile believers who come to Christ during the great tribulation. Our Lord let us know that not only is the beginning point of the great tribulation defined by Him, but so is its end. It will only go ‘so far’; and no further. It cannot harm His people any more than He permits it to.

Our loving God is sovereign over the great tribulation. Finally, Jesus warns about …

4. The Deceptive Climate of the End (Matt. 24:23-28)

²³ “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. ²⁴ For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ See, I have told you beforehand.” (Matt. 24:23-25).

Jesus had already warned about the deception of false christs in Matthew 24:4-5. But now Jesus shows that not only would these pretenders arise who say they are Christ or His prophets, but they will be demonically empowered to “show great signs and wonders.” Perhaps it is like the magicians of Egypt in the days of Moses. Through their cunning deception, were able to duplicate some of the miraculous signs that God did through Moses. The deception of these false christs and false prophets is so powerful that Jesus says that if it were possible (and it is not), they would deceive even the elect. Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2, “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception…” (2 Thess. 2:9-10).

But notice our Lord’s sovereignty here. He says, “See, I have told you beforehand.” All of these things are known to Him in advance; and so, He is able to warn believers in advance.

These false prophets will try to convince believers that Christ has already come in some hidden and secret way. Jesus says, “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.” (Matt. 24:26). When Christ comes back, He isn’t going to make His appearance off in the distance someplace in some shadowy form. It won’t be in secret or hidden to all but a select few. Many false teachers have claimed that Christ has already returned in a “spiritual coming” or a “coming in judgment”. Full preterists say that Christ returned in this way in 70 AD., so that the final judgment, the resurrection of the dead, and the new heavens and new earth all also took place at that time. Jehovah Witnesses say that Christ’s second coming was an invisible coming in October 1914 where Christ began ruling in heaven.

Jesus says that His coming will not be like that, so do not be deceived. When Jesus returns, He won’t be hiding out in the desert or in some back room someplace. When Jesus comes again, He won’t be making only faint “spiritual” appearances. When Jesus returns, it will be clear to all. There will be no mistaking it. Look at how He describes it in Matthew 24:27-28, “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” When Christ returns, everyone will know it. It will be as obvious as the lightning flashing across the sky—from the east to the west. It will be as obvious as spotting the carcass by the vultures that encircle it. Revelation 1:7 says, “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

Do not be deceived. Jesus has told us what His coming will be like.

Conclusion

Last week, when I began teaching this section of Matthew 24 about the great tribulation, I gave you some reasons why this prophecy (and all prophecies in scripture) should encourage us. We should be encouraged because the Almighty sovereign God, who knows all things from the beginning to the end, has revealed by prophecy what will happen in the future. Jesus gives His sure word about His coming and the end of the age so that we would be prepared and not be deceived.

I said that prophecy also encourages us because it assures us that God is in control over the events of history. The reason that God can reveal the future is not only because God knows the future, but because all of history—past, present, and future—is in His hands. Our sovereign God has determined the signs, the events, the severity, and the length of the great tribulation that precedes Christ’s coming. Nothing will happen outside of God’s predetermined plan.

Therefore, we are to watch, wait, and be alert, but not afraid. We are not to be paralyzed with fear, but rather, to be transformed into the likeness of our Savior who died for us, was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is coming again. The apostle John encourages us with the reality of Christ’s coming when he writes, “² Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. ³ And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3).

Do you have this hope in Christ? Do you believe He is coming again and every eye will see Him? If so, is that truth, that hope in Christ, having a purifying work in your heart and life? Is it keeping you from sin? Is it making you more righteous? Is it causing you to love the brethren? Is it driving you to tell others about the Savior?

Today, as we come to worship at the Lord’s table, consider Christ who died for your sins. Remember His body which was broken for you. Remember His blood poured out for the forgiveness of your sins. Remember that He promised to come again to receive us to Himself and judge the world in righteousness. Let these truths purify you as you eat and drink.

And if you have not yet trusting in Jesus Christ. Let these truths draw you to the Savior. Repent and believe in Jesus Christ today. Confess Him as Lord and He will save you now so that you will be pure on the day He appears.

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Richard Sipes / Sermons / Jesus Christ, Matthew, Second Coming, Tribulation / 0

The Sheep and Goat Judgment

Matthew 25:31-46

1. Scene of the Judgment (Matt. 25:31-33)

The Parable of the Talents

Matthew 25:14-30

1. Resources Entrusted (Matt. 25:14-18)

2. Faithfulness Rewarded (Matt. 25:19-23)

3. Opportunity Squandered (Matt. 25:24-30)

The Wise or Foolish Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

1. Waiting for the Bridegroom (Matt. 25:1-5).

2. Coming of the Bridegroom (Matt. 25:6-9).

3. Entering into the Wedding Banquet (Matt. 25:10-12)

The Faithful or Wicked Servant

Matthew 24:45-51

1. The Wise Servant (24:45-47)

A. His Attitude (45)

B. His Actions (46)

C. His Award (47)

2. The Wicked Servant (24:48-51)

A. His Attitude (48, 50)

B. His Actions (49)

C. His Award (51)

Are You Ready for Christ’s Coming?

Matthew 24:36-44

1. The Son of Man Will Come …

A. At a Time Known Only to the Father (Matt. 24:36)

B. At an Unexpected Time for the Unprepared (Matt. 24:37-41)

2. We Should Respond with …

A. Watchfulness (Matt. 24:42)

B. Readiness (Matt. 24:43-44)

The Parable of the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:32-25

1. The Analogy of the Fig Tree (24:32)

2. The Application of the Parable (24:33)

3. The Assurance of Christ’s Words (24:34-35)

The Gift of Deacon Ministry

Acts 6:1-7

1. The Problem (Acts 6:1-2)

2. The Solution (Acts 6:3-6)

3. The Result (Acts 6:7)

Conclusion

The Coming of the Son of Man

Matthew 24:27-31

1. Public (Matt. 24:27-29)

2. Powerful (Matt. 24:29-30)

3. Purposeful (Matt. 24:30-31)

Great Tribulation, Part 2

Matthew 24:15-28

1. The Event That Signals the End (Matt. 24:15)

2. The Tribulation Prior to the End (Matt. 24:16-21)

3. The Divine Limit of the End (Matt. 24:22)

4. The Deceptive Climate of the End (Matt. 24:23-28)

Conclusion

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