PARABLE 41 - Signs From A Fig Tree

PARABLE 41 — MATTHEW 24:32-35 — SIGNS FROM A FIG TREE 

32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

THE DAY AND HOUR UNKNOWN

36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41 Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 

42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Discussion Questions – Parable 41

PARABLE 41 — MATTHEW 24:32-35 — SIGNS FROM A FIG TREE 

1. “Signs From a Fig Tree” is one of only six parables repeated in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. What does this tell us? 

The meaning is this, when a fig tree begins to bloom, men know that summer is near. If we lived in Washington D.C. we might say it this way… When the cherry trees blossom, we know that summer is near. (The fig tree is a general time indicator.)

So it is with the end times; when we begin to see the prophetic events described in Matthew 24 occur, the generation then living will know the Lord’s return is very near and we are living in the last days.

The point of the parable is obvious; there are specific signs that will precede the Lord’s coming. These indicators allow us to know the general time or season of His coming.

We know what will happen. We know how it will happen. We know where it will happen. We just don’t know exactly when. But we have enough information that we shouldn’t be caught off guard!

2. In Verse 24:33 and 34, what does “all these things” refer to? 

“All these things” refers to everything Christ just talked about: wars, famines, earthquakes (24:4-8), persecution of Christians (9-10), false prophets (11), the abomination that causes desolation (15), false Christs (24), the need to flee because of the Great Tribulation (16-28), and the stellar events (sun darkened, no light from the moon) of verses 29-31. All those things will signal the nearness of Christ’s return, just as a tree with new shoots signifies that summer is coming. 

3. In Verse 24:34, what does “this generation” refer to? Do you feel as though you are in the generation that Jesus speaks about? 

“This generation” does not refer to the disciples, not to the Jewish race, not to the nation of Israel, and not to those who reject Christ. 

The new leaves on the fig tree are symbolic in some way to the signs preceding the second coming. The phrase “this generation” clearly refers to the generation that is alive at the time those signs are fulfilled. Basically, Jesus was saying, “The generation that sees the signs of the second coming will not pass away until I return.” That was Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ question of how much time would pass between the sign of His coming and His actual return. So once the birth pains begin (Matthew 24:8), everything else will happen in rapid succession. 

The Master is near. He is knocking at the door!

ANOTHER COMMENTATOR’S VIEW

So He tells them that the generation of people that will be alive on the earth when the Last Days come about, they would witness what He called the "fig tree" blooming, and putting forth it's leaves. And He equated that with the fulfillment of His End Time prophecy. So what or who is the "fig tree"? It would seem that if we could figure that out, then we would know who the last generation might be.

Throughout recorded history, nations have always be typified by "types and figures" to describe them. Russia is the "bear", America is the "eagle", England the "lion", and Israel the "fig tree". Wait...did I just say "fig tree"? Wow, what a coincidence!

So Jesus was saying that when you see ISRAEL re-blooming, whenever that would take place, that that generation would be the one that would be on the earth and living when the Last Days would occur. So if Israel was destroyed in 70 AD, and it was, when did it "bloom" again? May 14, 1948 is the date that history records that fact occurring. The generation that witnessed that, the WWII generation, still have not, for all intents and purposes, passed off the scene. They are still alive and with us today, and we are the people that Jesus said would be alive on the earth when the Last Days would happen.

WOW!!!

4. Who knows when the end times will come? (24:36) What does it mean for you to “keep watch” (24:42) or “be ready” (24:44)?

Let us be abundantly clear: we do not believe that God has revealed to anyone when Jesus is coming back, and we see nothing in Scripture which indicates that God will ever reveal to anyone when Jesus is coming back. Matthew 24:36-44, while spoken directly to the people in Jesus’ time, also contains a general principle. The timing of Jesus’ return and the end of the age is not for us to know. Scripture nowhere encourages us to try to determine the date. Rather, we are to “keep watch, because we do not know on which day our Lord will come” (v. 42). We are to “be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when we do not expect Him” (v. 44). The force of Jesus’ words diminishes if at some point in the future someone will be able to determine when He is coming back. If the date is discovered, we no longer need to “keep watch” or “be ready.” So, with the principle of Matthew 24:36-44 in mind, no, it is not possible for anyone to know the date that Jesus is coming back.

The fact that the day of Jesus’ return is unknown should motivate us to live every day in light of His immediate return.

When the apostle Paul described the coming of the Lord in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, he went on to tell them, “But of the times and the seasons, you have no need to know…”

“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. Be ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of the light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of the darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; BUT LET US WATCH AND BE SOBER.” (1 Thessalonians 5).

5. Just as it was in the days of Noah so shall be the coming of the Lord. What was it like in the days of Noah? Can it be compared to the time we are living in?

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5.)

When Jesus described the events that will surround His second coming, He said, “Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26–27). Jesus was pointing out that, although the people of Noah’s day were totally depraved, they were not the least bit concerned about it. They were carrying on the events of their lives without a single thought to the judgment of God. Noah is described as “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), meaning he had spent years warning his friends and neighbors what the Holy God was about to do. No one listened.

It is interesting that God allowed Noah nearly one hundred years to complete the building of the ark. Through all that time, God patiently waited (1 Peter 3:20). Scripture seems to imply that Noah preached to the people of that time about what was coming (Hebrews 11:7). They did not believe Noah and were content with their wickedness and idolatry. Their hearts were hard and their ears dull. No one repented, and no one cared to seek God.

Jesus said that the world will be much the same before He returns to set up His earthly kingdom (Matthew 25:31–33). He warned us to “be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” 2 Timothy 3:1–4 gives us a clear picture of the state of the world before Jesus comes and most likely also describes the world in the days of Noah. That verse says, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God...” It is becoming increasingly obvious that, to understand what the world was like in the days of Noah, we only need to watch the evening news.

6. Jesus said if we knew that our home was going to be broken into we would keep watch? In what ways can we keep watch and stay ready for the coming of the Lord?

We must watch and pray. We are easily distracted by this world, our fleshly needs and desires, and the schemes of the enemy (2 Corinthians 2:11). When we take our eyes from Jesus and His soon return, our values begin to shift, our attention wanders, and soon we are living like the world and bearing little fruit for God’s kingdom (1 Timothy 6:18–19). He warned us that we must be ready at any moment to stand before Him and give an account of our lives (Romans 14:12; 1 Peter 4:5; Matthew 12:36).

We must watch and pray. We can only remain faithful when we are devoted to prayer. In prayer, we continually allow God to forgive us, cleanse us, teach us, and strengthen us to obey Him (John 14:14). In order to keep watch, we must pray for endurance and freedom from distractions (Hebrews 12:2; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18). We must pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). When we live with the eager expectation of the Lord’s return and expect persecution until then (2 Timothy 3:12; Matthew 24:9; 1 Peter 4:12), we are more likely to keep our lives pure and our hearts ready to meet Him.

Another occurrence of the phrase “watch and pray” is found earlier in Jesus’ ministry when He prophesied about the end times. Luke chapter 21 details many of those events, and Jesus warns that they would happen suddenly: “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap” (Luke 21:34). He then says, “Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (verse 36).

7. In what ways are you NOT READY to face the Lord today? 

See on blog “Redeeming the Time”

PARABLE 42 - Wise and Wicked Servants

PARABLE 42 — MATTHEW 24:45-51 — WISE AND WICKED SERVANTS

45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; 49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, 51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Discussion Questions – Parable 42

PARABLE 42 — MATTHEW 24:45-51 — WISE AND WICKED SERVANTS

1. What is the basic meaning of this parable? Who are the wise servants? Who are the wicked servants?

The parable of the wise and wicked servants can be found in both the Book of Matthew and the Book of Luke (parable #9). Jesus told this story to illustrate the return of the Lord. (Vs. 45) The wise servants are the ones found being faithful upon their lord’s return. They are the wise and faithful servants. (Vs. 48) The wicked servant has evil thoughts. They think their lord has delayed his return. They think they have plenty time to set things in order before he returns. In the meantime they do as they please and abuse their fellow servants. The Lord will return at a time they think not and be punished. This parable teaches us that we should remain vigilant and faithful until His return and maintain the righteous path and we will be greatly rewarded, if not we will be cut asunder.

2. What might be considered a faithful and wise servant of the Lord in our day and time?

Faithful means, “having or showing true and constant support or loyalty”. Synonyms of this word is, “constant, dedicated, devoted, devout, good, loyal, steady, and true.”

A true servant is one who not only has been “born again,” but he’s also one who is living a holy and righteous life before God. He has not only listened to sermons on Sunday and daily read the Word, he is actually obeying and doing what he hears and reads. He’s a “living example” of Christ.

He is a good, devoted, dedicated, loyal, working servant of God that is watching and awaiting his Lord’s return.

3. What might be considered a wicked and evil servant in our day and time? (Look up in the Bible what is consider an evil servant)

We must remember, that Christ has placed the riches of the Gospel into our care, and if we act like the evil servant did, we virtually rob him of what is his due.

The Greek word used for evil is “kakos” and means what we think it should mean,  “of a bad nature, wicked” and is described as doing “not such as ought to be done.” Biblically, evil is anything that contradicts the holy nature of God.

The evil servant was found "eating and drinking with the drunken" (Matthew 24:49). Christ's servants do that when they mix freely with the world which has been made drunk with the "wine" of Babylon the Great (Revelation 17:1-2). He was found smiting the fellow servants. Christ's servants can be guilty of the same fault if they unduly exercise lordship over their brethren. He was found saying, "My lord delays his coming." Christ's servants can also act upon that presumption.

In Jude 1:18 we are told there will be mockers in the last days, who walk after their own ungodly lust. Does that not sound like people of today? Mockers – mocking what? They are mocking the Lord’s return. How many times have you heard someone say “they been saying Jesus was about to come back for years and years.” They no longer believe it will happen or they think it is many, many years away. They think the Lord has delayed His coming. In other words they know He is coming, “but not anytime soon”. In the meantime they walk after their own ungodly lust because they think they have plenty of time to get ready. 

There is nothing pure in those that are defiled and unbelieving, for their minds and consciences are defiled. They say they know God, but in their actions they deny Him. In their actions they are wicked and disobedient (see Titus 1:15-16). These people too also walk after their own ungodly lust, but they have defiled their minds and consciences into thinking they are right with God. 

Remember, if you are a believer and doing “not such as ought to be done” you are consider an evil servant and the Lord will appoint you to the same place as the hypocrites. 

4. What does it mean to “give them meat in due season” (vs. 45)?

What is meat? Let us look at scripture where the first mention of the phrase "meat in due season" is found. These passages tell us exactly what this meat is, both in a general sense, and in detail. In general, this meat can be seen in the following verses:

These wait upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season (Psalms 104:27). The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season (Psalms 145:15).

In the above passages, we see immediately that this meat in due season is something that ultimately comes from our Heavenly Father, even though it is distributed by His stewards. Let us home in on two additional passages that show us some further detail of the meat in due season that brings nourishment:

(Proverbs 15:23) …”a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” (1 Timothy 4:6) “…nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine.”

We then see further confirmation in the passages above, that our nourishment comes from "the words of Faith and of good teaching" — from God's Word, the Holy Scriptures. Oh, how good it is!

What is “due season”? Just as important as feeding the right meal, so is the timing of the feeding. In the above passages, we have seen that the phrase 'due season' seen in Matthew and Luke is the Greek word, meaning "time, season, opportunity; the opportune or right time." So we see that there is an appropriate or proper time for each "course" of the meat that is to be fed to the household. 

Combining these meanings, we see that the 'due season' is both a description of proper timing, as well as the result of its application. We thus may say that the 'meat in due season' is “to give the Word of God to the household in the proper timing”.

The servants (disciples) were left with instructions (God’s Word) about how to care for the household of God and they were to pass on this Word in proper timing. What’s the proper time? The time before the Master returns. Our due season is now.

This is the general description of what “good stewards” are to feed the Master’s household.

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister (wise and faithful servant) of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained” (1 Timothy 4:6).

5. What are some things you can do to feed the household of God?

PARABLE 43 - Ten Wise and Foolish Virgins

PARABLE 43 — MATTHEW 25:1-13 — TEN WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Discussion Questions – Parable 43

PARABLE 43 — MATTHEW 25:1-13 — TEN WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS

1. The scene portrayed in this parable is a wedding about to take place. What was a Jewish wedding like in Jesus’ day?

Although many sources describing the practice of Jewish marriage at the time of Jesus Christ differ in the details, but there is general agreement concerning its major elements. Unlike Western marriage practices, the Jewish marriage has a greater degree of formalism involving numerous steps:

First, betrothal (which involved the prospective groom’s traveling from his father’s house to the home of the prospective bride, paying the purchase price, and thus establishing the marriage covenant); 

Second, the groom’s returning to his father’s house (which meant remaining separate from his bride for 12 months, during which time he prepared the living accommodations for his wife in his father’s house); 

Third, the groom’s coming for his bride at a time not known exactly to her; 

Fourth, his return with her to the groom’s father’s house to consummate the marriage and to celebrate the wedding feast for the next seven days (during which the bride remained closeted in her bridal chamber).

2. What is the meaning of this parable?

As we take a good look at the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), at least one side of this parable can be known with absolute certainty. The bridegroom is Jesus Christ, and this parable describes His return. Both the Old Testament (Isaiah 54:4-6; 62:4-5; Hosea 2:19) and the New Testament (John 3:27-30; Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:19-20) represent the Messiah as a bridegroom. Both God’s people Israel and the Church are described in Scripture as the bride (Ephesians 5:25-32) for the Messiah.

Some ask which return of Christ is this? Is it His return for the rapture of the Church, or is it His return to set up the Millennial Kingdom at the end of the Tribulation? Dispensational scholars divide over this issue, and no attempt will be made to answer that question here. Regardless of which return it is, the lessons to be learned are relevant to both.

The overall and easily seen message of the parable is that Christ will return at an unknown hour and that His people must be ready. Being ready means preparing for whatever event may arise in our lives and keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus at all times while we eagerly await His coming. As seen in the fact that all the virgins were sleeping when the call came indicates that it doesn’t matter what we are doing when Christ returns. We may be working, eating, sleeping, or pursuing leisure activities. Whatever it is, we must be doing it in such a way that we don’t have to “make things right” (get more oil) when He comes. 

3. What was the difference between the wise and foolish virgins? What did the wise have that the foolish did not? How is it that the foolish virgins took no oil with them?

Taking Matthew’s words literally (and not supplying words for him), I read that the difference between the foolish virgins and the wise virgins was one thing: the wise virgins had oil for their lamps, while the foolish virgins did not. The wise virgins had the opportunity to obtain oil, and did so. The foolish virgins had plenty of opportunity to obtain oil too, but did not.

There are many today that attend church. They think they are converted. They all believe in Jesus and are “going forth to meet him with no oil”. Many that think they have oil. They are just as the foolish virgins they have not took the necessary steps to assure their salvation. But just as the foolish virgins realized they had no oil when it was too late so will “Christians” when the Lord returns.

How does this happen? Perhaps…

Some may continue for a long time in a state of anxious concern, under conviction, without finding relief. After a while their consciences become hardened, and gradually become quiet, and so “The foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them.”

Another person, under deep conviction, thinks he has done too much already. He grows tired and discouraged, and finally decides that there is no such thing as conversion, and so he becomes like the “foolish [who] took their lamps, and took no oil with them.”

Another, under great conviction, looks around for some relief. He then has an emotional feeling that he thinks is conversion. This person repents but goes no further, and not being careful to examine himself, he settles down in a false hope and sleeps in dangerous security. And so he becomes like the “foolish [who] took their lamps, and took no oil with them.”

Sometimes the sinner who has been under conviction and anxiety for a long time thinks that he should say he is saved, and by saying it, he will be relieved. This has been followed with sad disappointment – no love for God, no baptism in the name of Jesus, no infilling of the Holy Ghost (they don’t find it necessary for salvation). Sometimes this ends with great security – and they then say, “I know I am converted.” Now they are doomed! In this way they that were “foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them.”

This person under conviction started attending church, paying their tithes, living a good life, but never read their Bible. They listen to others, the preachers, teachers, but never read it for themselves. They never took the necessary steps to salvation because they never took the time to search out their own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105). In this way they were like the foolish virgins “that took their lamps, but took no oil with them.”

4. How can a person be assured they have enough oil to meet the Bridegroom? 

1. A real experience of the new birth – for without the new birth there can be no real conversion. Without this change you cannot be a child of God. Those who are born again find that “old things are passed away and all things become new.” These are the characteristics of a “wise” person who is converted. How can you be saved? Read the first two books of Acts where you can read about the new birth and where the apostle Peter tells you how you can be saved (Acts 2:38).

2. A real faith in Christ. An empty “faith” is not enough, “for the devils believe and tremble.” True faith in Christ makes Christianity real, and changes your whole way of life. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

3. A willingness to give up the world. “Wherefore come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord” (2 Corinthians 6:17). “If any man will be a friend of the world he is the enemy of God” (James 4:4). “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed” (Romans 12:2).

4. Live a holy life, let your body be a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1-2). Without holiness no one shall see the Lord! (Hebrews 12:14).

5. Read you Bible daily. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalms 119:105). Should I say more folks, there is your lamp and light!

The difference between the wise and the foolish may seem small. But to God they are as different as light and darkness. Thus the wise are called “children of light” and the foolish are said to be “in darkness.” 

4. Why did the wise virgins refuse to share their oil? Was this fair?

First of all many are under the false conception that the five foolish virgins ran out of oil. The text is clear on this point; the five foolish virgins never brought any oil with them (vs. 3).

Not only is the text clear about the foolish virgins bringing no oil with them, it is difficult to interpret the parable if, indeed, they did run out of oil. The difference between the five wise virgins and the five foolish virgins is salvation. These five foolish virgins were not once saved, but then “ran out” of salvation. They were lost, and never had it. They never had oil. They were just empty lamps. They looked useful, they seemed to give promise of light, but they never produced it. 

Also, we are initially surprised (and even disappointed) that the five wise virgins will not share their oil with the foolish virgins. This is not because the five wise virgins were selfish. In the context of the story, sharing their oil may have meant that all ten would run short of oil. But when we come to the interpretation of this parable, we can see that the saved cannot share what they have in Christ with the lost. The lost will not enter heaven based on the salvation others have received. Jesus himself said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3), you must be born again for yourself. Each person is accountable for his own choices and must obtain salvation (oil) for themselves (see Deuteronomy 24:16; Ezekiel 18:20; Jeremiah 31:29-30).

You have to save yourself (Acts 2:40), no one can do it for you.

You have to repent for yourself (Acts 2:38).

You have to be baptized in Jesus Name for yourself (Acts 2:38).

You have to receive the Holy Ghost for yourself (Acts 2:38).

Just as the wise virgins said, you have to buy (oil/salvation) for yourself. 

Those who refuse to buy oil are the people who refuse to heed the warnings of God’s Word and the invitation of salvation through faith in Jesus. Those who don’t purchase oil are those who don’t think they need it, at least at the moment.

Jesus wants us to be careful about assuming we are saved, if indeed we are not. We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:13). How do we work out our salvation – by the Word of God. It is for this reason that the apostles challenge us to examine ourselves, to be sure we are in the faith: Put yourselves to the test to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize regarding yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you ”unless, indeed, you are reprobates (corrupt) and fail the test!” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

5. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us (vs. 11). But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not (vs. 12). Where else in scripture has the Lord said this?

The “Lord, lord” and “I do not know you” of verses 11 and 12 fit very well with Jesus’ condemnation of the false believers of Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast our devils, and in Your name done many wonderful works?’ And then I will profess unto them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you that work iniquity (lawlessness).’”

Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and do them, I will compare him unto a wise man… Matthew 7:24.

6. The Lord sends out a warning at the end of this parable “watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh (vs. 13). Are you watching? Is your lamp full of oil?

PARABLE 44 - Servants Must Remain Watchful

PARABLE 44 — MARK 13:32-37 — SERVANTS MUST REMAIN WATCHFUL

In verses 28 – 31 The Lord had just told the parable of the fig tree.

32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Discussion Questions – Parable 44

PARABLE 44 — MARK 13:32-37 — SERVANTS MUST REMAIN WATCHFUL

1. What is the message in this parable?

The message of this parable of the watchful servants is very clear: be ready for Jesus' return because he will come when it is least expected. We are urged to be ready by repenting of sin, and obeying God.

Jesus says that we are to keep awake and be ready for his return, because he will return at an unexpected time. We do not know if he will come back in the evening, at midnight, at cockcrow, or morning. He repeatedly tells us to stay awake and WATCH!

"Remember then what you received and heard; obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you." (Revelation 3:3)

2. What does it mean to watch and pray?

Jesus used the phrase “watch and pray” on a couple of different occasions. Once was the night before the crucifixion. Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed that “this cup be taken from me” (Matthew 26:39). After the prayer, He found His disciples sleeping. He was grieved that they could not even pray with Him for an hour and warned them to “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

Another occurrence of the phrase “watch and pray” is found earlier in Jesus’ ministry when He prophesied about the end times. Luke chapter 21 details many of those events, and Jesus warns that they would happen suddenly: “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap” (Luke 21:34). He then says, “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (verse 36).

“Watch and pray.” The word translated “watch” means “to have the alertness of a guard at night.” A night watchman must be even more vigilant than a daytime guard. In the daytime, danger can often be spotted from a distance. But in the night everything is different. A night watchman must use senses other than sight to detect danger. He is often alone in the darkness and without the defenses he would otherwise employ. There may be no indications of enemy attack until it happens, so he must be hyper-vigilant, suspecting it at any moment. That is the type of watching Jesus spoke about.

The Lord said in verse 33 “take heed, watch and pray”. In other words he was saying, “Pay attention! Watch and Pray!”

3. Is it possible to predict Jesus’ second coming?

Jesus said, But of that day and that hour no one knows, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but only the Father (vs.32).

After Jesus’ resurrection, He again said, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority” (Acts 1:7). However, in spite of Jesus’ statements, countless people have foolishly tried to predict the time of His second coming. It is because we don’t know the timing that we must keep watching.

When a person thinks he has more than enough time to get ready, he is seriously tempted to let down spiritually. When we live with the eager expectation of the Lord’s return we are more likely to keep our lives pure and our hearts ready to meet him.

Continuing in Matthew 24, Jesus said, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44) Watching reminds us and motivates us to remain ready. That’s the main idea!

4. What other instructions did the Son of man give his servants in the parable besides watch and pray?

He gave authority to his servants to keep working – in other words keep doing God’s work. He also commanded the porter (watchman or doorkeeper) to keep watch.

God called the prophet Ezekiel to be a “watchman” to the nation of Israel to warn them to repent of their wicked ways or else suffer dire consequences (Ezekiel 3:17; Ezekiel 33:7). God told Ezekiel that He would hold him accountable—that if he didn’t warn the people he would share the guilt for their suffering (Ezekiel 33:1-6).

So this is another application of Christ’s command to “watch.” He means for us to act as watchmen! How can we best do that?

First, we must strive to be “the light of the world” by being a godly example for others to follow (Matthew 5:14).

Second, we must study the Bible so that when people ask us important questions, we’ll be prepared to give them biblical answers (1 Peter 3:15).

Third, we must learn how God is using His Church to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). We should learn how we can support and be a part of that great collective commission of “preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God” (Mark 1:14).

The role of the Church has some similarity to the role of the Old Testament prophets. They taught the godly standards of good versus evil, the promise of God’s blessings on those who do right, and the warning of God’s punishments on those who do wrong.

The word gospel means good news, and the true gospel includes the wonderful news that Jesus Christ will soon return to give us true peace on earth! And before that, God will give forgiveness and protection to those who repent of their sins and make the commitment to obey and serve Him.

Keep watching! Perhaps the best summary of this subject is this sobering warning from Jesus Christ in verse 37, “And what I say to you, I say to all! WATCH!

5. What specific task(s) do you think God has given you to do as you wait for Jesus’ return?