THE LAST PARABLES

PREFACE

(KEEP AWAKE)

Newcomb

This lesson plan is to search for the meaning of each of these Last Parables, post them in order and discover in detail what Jesus’ parting words demand of us as we faithfully occupy till He returns.

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As we continue to study Parables in their context, it is also important to follow the scripture narrative.  Think of the parable as a word picture illustrating the Bible story. Matthew has placed these Parables in sequence, and we understand them more, when we read each as it is written. 

This group of parables includes that of the ten virgins.  A case in point, where books have been written, to extract detail from lamps, oil and flask, while Jesus’ makes His Point in three words. (We will look at them below,) There are but two more days, for Jesus’ ministry.  So little time for instruction.  The parables chain together.  They become discourses.                                Time is spent in the Temple for instruction and healing.  Short hikes out of town to be with each other and spend the nights

Jesus has gained a large following from the people and separated the religious leaders from Himself to the point that they want Him dead. Single-handedly, He ejected commercial animal sales from the Temple, and bad named the officials. (Imagine the smells and loose feathers competing with the Temple incense!)

As we read, look for stories within stories.  Like this one about the Temple.

Matt 23: 38-39 Look, look! There is your temple, forsaken by God. And I tell you, you shall never see me until the time when you say, “Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord.”

We turn the page to Matt 24: verses one and two.

Jesus was leaving the temple when his disciples came and pointed to the temple buildings He answered, yes, look at it all. I tell you this; not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down. (These net fishermen are impressed with all this dressed and stacked, stone; Jesus sees it as no longer God’s house.)

Verse 3) When He was sitting on the Mt. of Olives the disciples came to speak to him privately.  ‘Tell us, they said, ‘when will this happen? And what will be the signal for your coming and the end of the age?

You will be handed over for punishment and execution; and men of all nations will hate you for your allegiance to me.  Many will fall from their faith.  They will betray one another and hate one another.  Many false Prophets will arise and will mislead many.  And as lawlessness spreads, man’s love for one another will grow cold.  But the man who holds out to the end will be saved.

And this gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the earth as a testimony to all nations.  And then the end will come.

V 15 So when you see “The abomination of desolation” of which the prophet, Daniel spoke, standing in the holy place (Let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must take to the hills. If a man is on the roof he must not come down to fetch his goods from the house. If in the field, he must not turn back for his coat.  Alas for the women with child in those days and those with children at the breast! Pray that it not be winter when you have to make your escape or Sabbath.  It will be a time of great distress.  There has never been such a time from the beginning of the world until now, and, will never be again.  If that time of troubles were not cut short, no living thing could survive,  But, for the sake of God’s chosen, it will be cut short.

V 23Then, if anyone says to you,” Look, here is the Messiah, or there He is” do not believe it.  Impostors will come claiming to be messiahs or prophets, and they will produce great signs and wonders to mislead even God’s chosen,( if such a thing were possible.)  See, I have forewarned you, If they tell you, ‘He is there in the wilderness”, do not go out, or if they say,” He is there, in the inner room do not believe it.  Like lightening from the east, flashing as far as the west, will be the coming of the Son of Man.

V28 Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather

As soon as the distress of those days has passed, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give her light, the stars will fall from the sky, the celestial powers will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign that heralds the Son of Man. All the peoples of the world will make lamentation, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with great power and glory.  With a trumpet blast He will send out his angels, and they will gather His chosen from the four winds, from the farthest bounds of heaven on every side. V31

This ends Jesus’ long answer to the Disciple’s question ( When will this happen?) Immediately below, Matt 24:32, Jesus tells the “First of the Last” Parables.

 

LEARN A LESSON FROM THE FIG TREE MATT 24: V32-V34

 When its tender shoots appear and are breaking into leaf, you know that summer is near.  In the same way when you see all these things, you may know that the end is near, at the very door I tell you this, the present generation will live to see it all.  Heaven and Earth will pass away my words will never pass away,

But about that day and hour no one, knows not even the angels in heaven, not even the Son, only the Father.

As things were in Noah’s days, so will they be when the Son of Man comes. Then there will be two men in the field, one will be taken, the other left; two women grinding at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. KEEP AWAKE, then, for you do not know on what day your Lord is to come.

PARABLE OF THE THIEF

MATT 24: V45-V 51

Remember if the householder had known at what time of night the burglar was coming, he would have kept awake and not have let his house be broken into.  Hold yourselves ready, therefore, because the Son of Man will come at the time you least expect him.

PARABLE OF THE TRUSTY SERVANT

MATT 24: V45-V51

Who is the trusty servant, the sensible man, charged by his master to manage his household staff and issue their rations at the proper time?  Happy that servant who is found  at his task when his master comes! I tell you this, he will be put in charge of all his masters property. But if he is a bad servant and says to himself, “ The master is a long time coming.” and begins to bully the other servants and to eat and drink with his drunken friends, then the master will arrive on a day that servant does not expect, At a time he does not know, and will cut him in pieces.  Thus he will find his place among the hypocrites, where there is wailing, and grinding of teeth.

 

   THE PARABLE OF THE TEN GIRLS

Olive Oil ”Pinch” Lamp, The Pinch holds the wick in Place

MATT 26; v1-v13

 

When that day comes, the kingdom of Heaven will be like this.  There were ten girls. Who, took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent; when the foolish ones took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the others took flasks of oil with their lamps.  As the bridegroom was late in coming they all dozed off to sleep.  But at midnight a cry was heard; Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.  With that the girls all got up and trimmed their lamps.  The foolish said to the prudent,  “our lamps are going out;  give us some of your oil.”  No” they said. There will never be enough for all of us. You had better go to the shop and buy some for yourselves” While they were away the bridegroom arrived.  Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut.  And then the other five came back “ Sir, sir” ‘ they cried, “open the door for us” But he answered, I declare, I do not know you.’ Keep awake then, for you never know the day or the hour.

 

Here, Below, we list The Last of Jesus‘ Public Teaching.
Each with Jesus’ summation.

#1 The Parable of the Fig Tree:

When its tender shoots appear and are breaking into leaf, you know that summer is near.  In the same way, when you see all these things, you may know that the end is near, at the very door. But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in Heaven, not even the Son, only the Father.  Keep  awake, then, for you do not know on what day your Lord is to come.

 #2 Parable of the Thief:

Remember, if the householder had known at what time of night the burglar was coming, he would have kept awake and not have let his house be broken into.  Hold yourself ready, therefore, because the Son of Man will come at the time you least expect him.  

#3 Parable of the Trusty Servant:

Happy that servant who is found at his task when his master comes!  I tell you this: he will be put in charge of all his master’s property.

#4 Parable of the ten Girls:

There were ten girls, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the others took flasks of oil with their lamps.  As the bridegroom was late in coming They all dozed off in sleep.  But at midnight a cry was heard. : Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.”With that the girls all got up and trimmed their lamps.  The foolish said to the prudent, “our lamps are going out. Give us some of your oil. “No, they said  “ there will never be enough for all of us. You had better go to the shop and buy some for your selves” While they were away the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding.  And the door was shut. And then, the other five came back.”Sir,sir, they cryed, open the door for us. But he answered, I declare: I do not know you.” Keep awake then: for you never know the day or the hour

# 5  Parable of the Talents

It is like a man going abroad who called his servants and put his capital in their hands.  To one he gave five bags of gold,

Note: These coins were in circulation, in Jerusalem, when Jesus was teaching in parables.  They are not actually Talents.

 

  ( they are used here to visualize five, two and One. )

These pictures are the author’s and may be used freely.

To another he gave two

to another he gave one

(Our text continues below)

each according to his capacity.  Then he left the country.   The man who had the five bags went at once and employed them in business and made a profit of five bags, and the man who had two bags made two.  But the man who had been given one bag of gold went off and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.  A long time later the master returned and proceeded to settle accounts with them. The man who had been given five bags of gold came and produced the five he had made.  Master,” He said, “You left five bags with me, look, I have made five more.” Well done my good and trusty servant!” said the master.’ You have proved trustworthy in a small way.  I will now put you in charge of something big.  Come and share your master’s delight.”

The man with two bags came and said,” Master, you left two bags with me, look, I have made two more.” “Well done my good and trusty servant! Said the master.  “ You have proved trustworthy in a small way, I will put you in charge of something big.  Come and share your master’s delight.” 

Then the man who had been give one bag came and said,” Master I know you to be a hard man, you reap where you have not sown, you gather where you have not scattered.  So I was afraid, and I went and hid your gold in the ground.  Here it is—you have what belongs to you.” “You lazy Rascal!” said the master.  “You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered? Then you ought to have put the money on deposit, and on my return I should have got it back with interest.  Take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one with the ten bags. For the man who has will always be given more, till he has enough and to spare, and the man who has not will forfeit even what he has.  Fling the useless servant out into the dark, the place of wailing and grinding of teeth.

#6 Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

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THE PARABLE OF THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS     MATT 25: V 31-V46

When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, He will sit in state on His throne, with all the nations gathered before Him, He will separate men into two groups, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. and  He will place the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left.

Then the King will say to those on His right hand “ you have my Father’s Blessing, come enter and possess the Kingdom that has been ready for you since the world was made.  For when I was hungry, you gave me food, when I was thirsty, you gave me drink;  When I was a stranger you took me into your home,   when naked you clothed me, when I was ill you came to my help, when in prison you visited me. ”Then the Righteous will reply, “Lord, when was it that we, saw you hungry and fed you, or thirsty and gave you drink, a stranger and took you home, or naked and clothed you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and come to visit you?”And the king will answer, “I will tell you this; Anything you did for one of my brothers here, however humble, you did for me.”

 Then he will say to those on his left hand, the curse is upon you; go from my sight to the eternal fire that is ready for the devil and his angels.  For when I was hungry you gave me nothing to eat, when thirsty nothing to drink, when I was a stranger you gave me no home, when naked you did not clothe me; when I was ill and in prison you did not come to my help.”  And they too will reply,

 “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison he will answer, ‘I will tell you this, anything you did not do for one of these, however humble, you did not do for me and they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous will enter eternal life

              

SUMMATION EPILOGUE

 THE LAST PARABLES

EPILOGUE

(KEEP AWAKE)

Newcomb

This lesson plan is to search for the meaning of each of these Last Parables, post them in order and discover in detail what Jesus’ parting words demand of us as we faithfully occupy till He returns.  This Epilogue follows with the Author’s application summary and Jesus’ predictions (AND COME THEY WILL.)

As we continue to study Parables in their context, it is important to follow the scripture narrative.  Think of the parable as a word picture illustrating the Bible story. Matthew has placed these Last Parables in sequence, where we read each as written. 

This group of parables includes that of the ten virgins.  A case in point, where books have been written, to extract detail from lamps, oil and flask, while Jesus’ makes His Point in three words. (We will look at them below,) There are but two more days, for Jesus’ ministry.  So little time for instruction.  The parables chain together.  They become discourses.  

Time is spent in the Temple for instruction and healing.  Short hikes out of town to be with each other and spend the nights

Jesus has gained a large following from the people and separated the religious leaders from Him to the point that they want Him dead. Single-handedly, He ejected commercial animal sales from the Temple, and bad named the officials. (Imagine the smells and loose feathers competing with the Temple incense!)

As we read, look for stories within stories.  Like this one about the Temple.

Matt 23: 38-39 Look, look! There is your temple, forsaken by God. And I tell you, you shall never see me until the time when you say, “Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord.”

We turn the page to Matt 24: verses one and two.

Jesus was leaving the temple when his disciples came and pointed to the temple buildings He answered, yes, look at it all. I tell you this; not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down. (These net fishermen are impressed with all this dressed and stacked, stone; Jesus sees it as no longer God’s house.)

Verse 3) When He was sitting on the Mt. of Olives the disciples came to speak to him privately.  ‘Tell us, they said, ‘when will this happen? And what will be the signal for your coming and the end of the age?

You will be handed over for punishment and execution; and men of all nations will hate you for your allegiance to me.  Many will fall from their faith.  They will betray one another and hate one another.  Many false Prophets will arise and will mislead many. And as lawlessness spreads, man’s love for one another will grow cold.  But the man who holds out to the end will be saved.

And this gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the earth as a testimony to all nations.  And then the end will come.

V 15 So when you see “The abomination of desolation” of which the prophet, Daniel spoke, standing in the holy place (Let the reader understand), then those who are in Judea must take to the hills. If a man is on the roof he must not come down to fetch his goods from the house. If in the field, he must not turn back for his coat.  Alas for the women with child in those days and those with children at the breast! Pray that it not be winter when you have to make your escape or Sabbath.  It will be a time of great distress.  There has never been such a time from the beginning of the world until now, and, will never be again.  If that time of troubles were not cut short, no living thing could survive, but, for the sake of God’s chosen, it will be cut short.

V 23Then, if anyone says to you,” Look, here is the Messiah, or there He is” do not believe it.  Impostors will come claiming to be messiahs or prophets, and they will produce great signs and wonders to mislead even God’s chosen,( if such a thing were possible.)  See, I have forewarned you, If they tell you, ‘He is there in the wilderness”, do not go out, or if they say,” He is, there, in the inner room do not believe it.  Like lightening from   the east, flashing as far as the west, will be the coming of the Son of Man.

V28      Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather

As soon as the distress of those days has passed, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give her light, the stars will fall from the sky, the celestial powers will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign that heralds the Son of Man. All the peoples of the world will make lamentation, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with great power and glory.  With a trumpet blast He will send out his angels, and they will gather His chosen from the four winds, from the farthest bounds of heaven on every side. V31

This ends Jesus’ long answer to the Disciple’s question (When will this happen?) Immediately below, Matt 24:32, Jesus tells the “First of the Last” Parables.

 

LEARN A LESSON FROM THE FIG TREE MATT 24: V32-V34

When its tender shoots appear and are breaking into leaf, you know that summer is near.

 In the same way when you see all these things, you may know that the end is near, at the very door I tell you this, the present generation will live to see it all.  Heaven and Earth will pass away my words will never pass away but about that day and hour no one, knows not even the angels in heaven, not even the Son, only the Father.

As things were in Noah’s days, so will they be when the Son of Man comes. Then there will be two men in the field, one will be taken, the other left; two women grinding at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. KEEP AWAKE, then, for you do not know on what day your Lord is to come.

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PARABLE OF THE THIEF

MATT 24: V45-V 51

 

Hold yourselves ready, therefore, because the Son of Man will come at the time you least expect him.

PARABLE OF THE TRUSTY SERVANT

MATT 24: V45-V51

Happy that servant who is found at his task when his master comes!

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   THE PARABLE OF THE TEN GIRLS

Olive Oil ”Pinch” Lamp, The Pinch holds the wick in Place

MATT 26; v1-v13  “ Sir, sir” ‘ they cried, “open the door for us” But he answered, I declare, I do not know you.’ Keep awake then, for you never know the day or the hour.

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THE PARABLE OF THE
TALENTS (BAGS OF GOLD)
MATT25: V14-V30 is like a man going abroad, who called
his servants and put his capital in their hands.   

The man who had the five bags went at once and employed them in business, and made a profit of five bags. And the man with two bags made two more.  But the man given one bag of gold went off and dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. 

A long time afterwards their master returned, and proceeded to settle accounts with them.  The man who had been given the five bags of gold produced the five he had made.  “Master, “You left five bags with me, look, I have made five more. well done, my good and trusty servant! Said the master. “you have proved trustworthy in a small way, I will now put you in charge of something big,  Come and share  your master’s delight.” The man with two bags then came and said, “ Master you left two bags with me, look I have made two more. “Well done my good and trusty servant, said the master,” you have proved trustworthy in a small way. I will put you in charge of something big. Come and share your master’s delight” Then the man who had been given one bag came and said,” Master, I knew you to be a hard man. You reap where you have not sown, you gather where you have not scattered, - - - - - - -so I was afraid  and I went and hid  your gold in the ground.  Here it is----you have what belongs to you.” “You lazy rascal!’ Said the Master. “you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered? * Then you ought to have put my money on deposit, and on my return I should have got it back with interest.  Take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one with ten bags. For the man who has will always be given more, till he has enough and to spare. And the man who has not will forfeit even what he has.  Fling the useless servant out into the dark, the place of wailing and grinding of teeth!

*NOTE the answer was a Question

THE PARABLE OF THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS MATT 25: V 31-V46

When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, He will sit in state on His throne, with all the nations gathered before Him, He will separate men into two groups, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. and  He will place the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left.

Then the King will say to those on His right hand “ you have my Father’s Blessing, come enter and possess the Kingdom that has been ready for you since the world was made.  For when I was hungry, you gave me food, when I was thirsty, you gave me drink;  When I was a stranger you took me into your home,   when naked you clothed me, when I was ill you came to my help, when in prison you visited me. ”Then the Righteous will reply, “Lord, when was it that we, saw you hungry and fed you, or thirsty and gave you drink, a stranger and took you home, or naked and clothed you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and come to visit you?” And the king will answer, “I will tell you this; anything you did for one of my brothers here, however humble, you did for me.”

 Then he will say to those on his left hand, the curse is upon you; go from my sight to the eternal fire that is ready for the devil and his angels.  For when I was hungry you gave me nothing to eat, when thirsty nothing to drink, when I was a stranger you gave me no home, when naked you did not clothe me; when I was ill and in prison you did not come to my help. And they too will reply “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison he will answer, ‘I will tell you this, anything you did not do for one of these, however humble, you did not do for me and they will go away to eternal punishment, and the righteous will enter eternal life.

Now, we will bring JESUS’ Final teachings together.  We will see His emphasis, as Mathew did, as he wrote it down for us.

============        First                  ==========
His remarks about the second coming. (ABRIDGED)

Take care that no one misleads you.  For many will come claiming my name and saying,” I am the Messiah.” and many will be misled by them.

You will be handed over for punishment and execution; and men of all nations will hate you for your allegiance to me. Many will fall from their faith. Many false prophets will arise, but the man who holds out till the end will be saved.  And this gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the earth as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Then, if anyone says to you, “Look, here is the Messiah, or there He is, do not believe it.” Like lightning from the east flashing as far as the west will be the coming of the Son of man. The Sun will be darkened, the stars will fall celestial powers will be shaken Then will appear in the heavens the sign that heralds the sign of the Son of man. 

But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels “”in Heaven. Not even the Son. Only the Father.

Keep awake then, for you do not know on what day your Lord is to come.

 

Hold yourselves ready, therefore, because the Son of Man will come at the time you least expect Him.

Happy that servant, who is found at his task when his Master comes.

Keep Awake, Then, for you never know the day or the hour.

Well done my good and trusty servant!” Said the Master, You have proved trustworthy in a small way I will now put you in charge of something big.” Come and share your Master’s delight.” (This portion abridged from full text.)

Then, the man who had been given one bag came and said,” I was afraid. And I went and hid your gold in the ground.  Here it is.  You have what belongs to you.”  “ You lazy Rascal,” Said the Master. “You ought to have put my money on deposit, and upon my return, I should have got it back with interest.  “Take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one with ten bags. For the man who has, will always be given more till he has enough and to spare and the man who has not, will forfit even what he has.

Fling the useless servant out into the dark”.

----------------

He will separate men into two groups as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left.

NOTE: The sheep are blessed and the goats cursed upon the charity or lack of it, shown Jesus, as follows:

Jesus says, “Blest,” For when I was hungry, you gave me food.  When I was thirsty, you gave me drink.  When I was a stranger, you took me to your home. When naked, you clothed me.  When ill, you came to my help.  When in prison, you visited me

The sheep (The Righteous)_ Ask in detail: Lord. When was it that we saw you a stranger and took you home, saw you hungry and fed you or thirsty and gave you a drink? Naked and clothed you? When did we see you ill or in prison and visit you?

                                          NOTE:

ADDING IT UP

The disciples ask, When? Jesus tells them What

From these several pages of Matthew, we make these several statements;

Take care that no one mislead you, for many will come claiming my name. Saying,” I am the Messiah”, and mislead many.

Nation will make war upon nation. Kingdom upon Kingdom.  There will be famines and earthquakes in many places. You will be handed over for punishment and execution and men and nation will hate you for your allegiance to me.  Many will fall from the faith. They will betray one another and hate one, another.  Many false prophets will arise and mislead many.

And as lawlessness spreads, man’s love for one another will grow cold.  But the man who holds out to the end will be saved, and this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed through out the earth as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come.

We notice that Jesus addresses several concerns: Stay awake, be ready, remain on the job, do not waste the time or your opportunity, do not bury your talent, be self motivated

From what we have read for this lesson, We believe that people can be “saved” during this event.

That the second coming has not taken place as of this writing

That the entire world will know of and experience it.

As I re-read this text, I see conditions described that closely mirror our own world at this time.  I have heard our own foreign Ambassadors, publicly say,” They hate us for the good that we do!”  Our own Government hates itself like never before in my memory.

We have posted on this site JESUS saying, ”alas to the world that allows harm to come to children and that come it will.          

(Matt: 18/1-7 and 10-12)        

It is now happening! And it is happening here! –USA- some, 15,000,000, Aborted (killed) UN-born and plane loads of Americans boarding Sex flights to abuse foreign children. (To say it nicely.)     (This warning is from the words of Jesus, His personal opinion.)

Dear Reader, make your own summation, count the times He said, you don’t  know the day or hour, be awake, be ready, use your time well, consider needs of others as needs of Jesus.             

KEEP THE FAITH  
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