9/27/14

Two Servants, Ten Virgins, Ten Talents: Only The Parables Of Mt. 24-25 'Olivet Discourse' Apply To Christians; ACG 1910

[3-part study, reposted for any interested]

A highly recommended study, as the author, A.C. Gaebelein, lays out the correct interpretation - i.e. 'rightly dividing the word of truth' (2 Tim 2:15) - of this very important and most always wrongly interpreted NT passage of prophetic scripture. Many saying 'I am Christ' (Matt. 24:5), wars and rumours of wars (Matt. 24:6), pestilences and earthquakes (Matt. 24:7), i.e. the beginning of sorrows (Matt. 24:8), persecution unto death (Matt. 24:9 and on) - none of this can apply until after the tribulation, the "time of Jacob's trouble" (Jacob = unbelieving Israel) begins (Jer. 30:7). And the tribulation cannot begin before the Antichrist (by permission of the Lamb - Rev. 6:1-2) mounts the Rev. 6:2 white horse, and the Antichrist cannot mount that white horse before the Daniel 7:23-24 'Ten Kings' arise, and those ten kings have not as of yet arisen on the world's stage [link]. Do not get the cart before the '(white) horse':
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Matthew 24-25 Olivet discourse and Christians

The first section (24:3-44) of the Olivet discourse of Matthew 24-25 speaks solely of the time referred to as the time of "tribulation", aka Daniel's 70th week. The language used is very literal, describing in specific detail the great trouble to come upon the earth, and the end result, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, when all the world "shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." (Matt. 24:30)

The 'church' is not found in any connection with this first section of the Olivet discourse. The reason for this is that before that great and terrible day of tribulation comes forth, before that stone which the builders rejected comes crashing down upon the kingdoms of men, the Lord Jesus Christ, the "Bridegroom", shall have first escorted his own, his bride, safely to his Father's house. (John 14:1-3)

In contrast then, the second section of the Olivet discourse deals with matters related only to the NT church, and is the topic of this study. The concept of the 'church' was unrevealed at the time the discourse was given, but as we now of course know began shortly after* the resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:8-11) of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (*Acts 2:1-4)

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This second section (24:45 - 25:30) presents a marked change in the language used. The Lord no longer uses the literal and descriptive language found in the first section, but instead presents three distinct parables. These three parables are seen as presenting a brief overview and a 'prophetic history' of the new dispensation which was about to begin - the "church age".

It is with this perspective that well known and widely respected bible teacher of years past, A.C. Gaebelein, wrote his commentary on the gospel of Matthew, from which this teaching on the three parables has been excerpted.

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A study on the three parables of the Olivet discourse (Matt. 24:45 - 25:30) excerpted from "Exposition of the Gospel of Matthew"; 1910, by A.C. Gaebelein (1861-1945)

Chapters xxiv:45—xxv:30. THE CHRISTIAN ERA.

1. The faithful and evil servant
2. The ten virgins and the midnight cry
3. The parable of the talents


"Not in the Gospels do we find full revelation about the church, her relationships, her calling, her heavenly hope and glorious destiny. All this is made known elsewhere in the New Testament. The parables concern the Christian profession in a general way. If we hold this fast in our minds we shall find no difficulties at all. This Christian age is a mixed age and will be so to the end and the Coming One will find the faithful and prudent servant and the evil servant; the wise virgins and the foolish; the faithful servants using their talents and the wicked and slothful servant. The Coming One will mete out the judgment. The faithful servant is called "Blessed," the evil servant is cut in two and cast out. The wise virgins go in with the bridegroom and the foolish face a shut door. The servants who used the talents are set over many things and the slothful servant is cast out into the outer darkness. That the Lord will first descend into the air (1Thess. 4:15-18) and that the true believers -resurrected [NT] saints and living saints, will be caught up in clouds to meet the Lord in the air to appear then before the judgment seat of Christ; that the unsaved, nominal Christians will go into apostasy and after the great tribulation receive judgment when the Lord comes out of heaven and all His saints with Him [1Thes. 3:13 - link] —all this is not revealed in these parables."

read full: pt.1
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Matthew 24:3-4 'And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you'

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