Tag Archives: Matthew

Matthew 25- The Parable of The Talents

1 Reply

For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. Matthew 25:14-19

When Jesus Christ returns, what will He say to you? Well done, Good and faithful servant or You wicked , lazy servant? Notice Jesus addressed both groups as servants, if you are a Christian , you are a servant of Jesus Christ! The Church has work to do, we are not just to sit around and wait for the rapture, we are to use our talents for the Kingdom of God

As we see in this parable, Jesus gives all of his disciples talents, some less and some more, but the point is “How are you using the gifts God has given you”? The Bible tells us we all have gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12) God wants us to use these gifts and talents, to build the Kingdom of God. Are you neglecting your gift from the Holy Spirit? Notice the response in the parable when Christ returns, he asks each individual what they did with their time and talents.

We must remember that each one of us have different talents and gifts given to us, (Romans 12) As the Body of Christ, one talent is not greater than another, when put together, the Body of Christ becomes complete, this is why it’s important for Christians to gather and work together as the Church

And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Matthew 25:20-26

Notice those who used their talents and gifts for the Kingdom of God, Jesus said “Well done good and faithful servant, those who hid their talents and didn’t produce fruit, Jesus said “You wicked, lazy servant”! So if Christ came back today, what would he say to you? If we truly love Jesus, then we should strive to make our Master happy, because we love him! This is not about earning salvation, this is about showing evidence of your conversion, showing evidence of your faith, showing evidence that you truly love The Lord God with all your heart, soul, and strength

Those who share their gifts and talents of God, they “share in the joy of Thy Lord” When you feel alone, like your the only one serving The Lord, remember you enter into the Joy of serving Christ! The world can’t understand this joy, the world can’t understand working for The Lord, because the world doesn’t know or love Christ!

So when you stand face to face with Christ, what will he say to you? Well done good and faithful servant or depart from me I never knew you? Don’t bury your talents, let your light shine to others in Jesus name! Amen!

Matthew 25- The Ten Virgins

6 Replies

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Matthew 25:1-6

Jesus continually teaches about His return, we see this in Matthew Chapter 24 and now here again, the theme continues in Matthew Chapter 25, the parable of the Ten Virgins is about Christ’s return, and whether or not the Church is ready. It’s a continual theme and message , Be Ready for Christ return!

We also see the reference of Christ return as a wedding, where the Church is the bride of Christ, and Jesus is the groom. This is a personal relationship with God, this is not a religion that you worship a deity in the sky, Christ knows you and has called you by name before the foundations of the world. The Ten Virgins here is the Church, half are asleep and half are filled with the Holy Spirit ready to meet The Lord

Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit in the Bible, the message is stay filled with the Holy Spirit, be ready for Christ’s return at an hour you least expect him. Don’t fall away and asleep like half of the Church. This is the separation between the Sheep and the Goats, the false converts and the true Born Again believers

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 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. 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. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matthew 25:7-13

The foolish ones, the false converts, beg the Born Again believers to “give us your oil” , this shows their foolishness, no one can give you the Holy Spirit except Christ. As Jesus said “ I don’t know You” (v12) if they would have called upon the name of The Lord Jesus Christ, then they could have been saved, however they cling to their own abilities to save themselves, clinging to their religion and traditions, when they should be clinging to Jesus Christ

The last words by Christ again are “Keep Watch , You don’t know the Day or Hour”, how many times has Jesus told us this? Are we getting the message? Are our lamps full of the Holy Spirit? If you knocked on the door, does Jesus know you? Don’t wait until it’s too late and the door is shut! Amen!

Matthew 24- Keep Watch

4 Replies

Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 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. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:40-44

When will Jesus Christ return? This is probably the question most asked and pondered by Christians throughout the centuries, however as Jesus is teaching us, Nobody knows the day or hour of His return. So how should we respond to this information? Well it’s simple “Always Be Ready”, however that doesn’t sound so simple in its application. 

Jesus taught us another parable “If the homeowner knew when the thief was going to break into their house, he would have watched” makes sense, if we knew the exact day and time Christ was going to return, then I’m sure most people would be counting down the time, however since we don’t know, it’s important to stay ready and be on alert.

As Jesus said “You must be ready, for the Son of Man is returning at an hour you don’t expect him” Christ will return as a “Thief in the Night” at a time when we least expect him. So what do we as Christians need to do to prepare for his return? We need to remain as the spotless Bride (Ephesians 5:27) that Christ is expecting. We need to remain faithful and obedient to our Lord, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we need to be producing fruit worthy of the Kingdom (Matthew 7)

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; 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, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:45-51

We all heard the expression “When the Cat is away the mice will play” well this sums up the Church, when Christ ascended back to Heaven, most of the Church has fallen asleep. A majority of the Church has gotten lazy and buried their gifts. Alot of the Church has become more interested in worldly things than their mission from Christ

When our Master returns, what is he going to find? Is Christ going to find you managing your time and talents well serving the Kingdom, or will he find you wasting your life on meaningless worldly endeavors? Jesus has said over and over again “I will return in a hour you don’t expect” are we getting the message?

There is still time, it’s time to get on fire for The Lord and fulfill the Great Commision in Jesus name Amen!

Matthew 24- The Fig Tree

7 Replies

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Matthew 24: 32-35

When you talk to people nowadays, even people who have no knowledge of the Bible, they can all tell something is going on. Most people sense some urgency in the air, most people understand that our nations and governments are collapsing right before our eyes, however those who don’t have spiritual discernment or knowledge of the Bible, can’t explain these events

This is why it’s important to study your Bible on a daily basis, as Jesus said “My Words shall not pass away” The Word of God is eternal and relevant for every generation. Many people today are taught that the Bible is “outdated” or not relevant to todays generation, however when they notice today’s events were actually prophesied thousands of years ago, the light bulb sometimes goes off in their head, they actually realize the Bible is the Word of God and it’s very relevant to the world today and forever.

So the main event most Christians are waiting for is the return of Christ, this has been an event anticipated since the Apostles. The Church has longed for Jesus to come back and reestablish God’s Kingdom. However what most Christians forget or don’t realize, there is still work for the Church to do. The Great Commision was a command given by Christ “Preach the gospel to all the nations “ (Matthew 28:19) If there was ever a mission statement for the Church, this should be it! We as the Church have work to do, share the good news of Jesus Christ! 

But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 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 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:36-39

So even though nobody knows the exact day or hour of Jesus return, can we anticipate when Christ will return? Well Jesus taught us the “Parable of The Fig Tree” as an analogy to his return. Just as we can anticipate when summer or winter is coming based on the signs of the trees, we can anticipate when Christ’s return is getting closer based on the signs of the times. Of course we should always be ready and anticipate Christ return every day

Jesus compared His return to the “Days of Noah”, everyone was eating, drinking, living their best life now until the rain started. This will be the same as Christ returning, everyone going about their daily business, partying and working, having no discernment of the signs of the time. This is why it’s vital you share the gospel to everyone before it’s too late!

So how do we know what season we are in? Remember the parable of the Fig Tree, notice the signs of the times, remember the Days of Noah, Christ is returning soon! Amen!

Matthew 24- Every Eye Will See Him

2 Replies

Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: Matthew 24:26-29

When Jesus returns, every eye will see him, as it states in the scriptures here “As the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the Son of Man coming” meaning the entire world is going to see Jesus Christ return, it will not just be a certain group or a secret rapture, the world will know when Christ returns, there will be no mistake about it. 

Reminds me of Revelation 1:7 “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”  Notice the scripture says “Every eye shall see Him (Christ)” Many believe this was fulfilled in 70 AD, but how is that possible? Did the entire world see Christ return? The obvious answer is No, I believe Christ is going to return and the entire world will witness this event, joyful or mournful

Another interesting note here is the scriptures say “Immediately after the tribulation” Remember the tribulation described previously was a tribulation never seen before and never to be seen again. So how does the Pre-Trib Rapture fit into this? Hmmm…from a scriptural perspective it would appear to be Post Trib Rapture

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Matthew 24:30-31

All the Earth will mourn the return of Christ, why? This is why it’s important the Church is fulfilling the Great Commision, because time is running out! People need to repent and receive Christ while they still have the opportunity to do so, don’t delay! Remember this is what Jesus said to the religious leaders referring to Daniel 7, the Son of Man coming in the clouds! Jesus revealed He is the Son of God, the Messiah

Notice it says “He shall send his angels to gather the elect from the four winds” If the Pre-Trib rapture is true , how are the elect still on the Earth? The four winds indicate the entire Earth , Christ is now gathering his elect at this moment after the tribulation. 

I’m not here to argue for a particular view on the Rapture, however if we follow the teachings of Christ, I think the answer is very clear. Regardless, Christ is going to return soon, and every eye will see him and every knee will bow before him (Philippians 2) Amen!

Matthew 24- Abomination of Desolation

4 Replies

When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: Matthew 24:15-20

What is the Abomination of Desolation? This was an event that was prophesied by Daniel, and then taught by Christ. Many believe this event was fulfilled in 167 BC when Greek ruler Antiochus IV desecrated the Temple by sacrificing a Pig on the altar and declaring himself God. However this event happened before Christ, and Jesus is prophesying about another future event

If you look at the prophecies from Daniel (Daniel 9:27, Daniel 11:31, Daniel 12:11) It appears the prophecy is referring to an individual , that I believe is the Anti-Christ. Now many believe this event could also have been fulfilled AD 70 , during the destruction of The Temple, however we still haven’t seen the Anti-Christ , the First Horseman (Revelation 6), as foretold in the Bible.

So the question is, are we still expecting another abomination of desolation event? Well remember , We (Christians) are now the Temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16, 1 Cor 6:19) Could the final Abomination of Desolation be The Mark of The Beast (Rev 13:16-17, Rev 14:9-10, Rev. 16:2, Rev 20:4)

For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Matthew 24:21-25

Jesus gives us some more detail into the Abomination of Desolation, first he says “Then Shall Be A Great Tribulation never to be seen again” Has the Great Tribulation happened yet? Most of us would say No, then the Abomination of Desolation must be a futuristic event. Now we know during the other two events mentioned, 167 BC and 70 AD, that great tribulation did come upon Israel, but Jesus said this would be a tribulation that was never seen before!

Jesus then warns about False Christs appearing, this sounds like the First Horseman, the coming of the Anti-Christ. Jesus said “Even the elect will be deceived” even people who claim to be Christians will fall to the Anti-Christ, don’t be deceived!


While we may not know exactly how everything is going to play out, we do know Christ is going to return, and we need to be ready and alert when that day comes, Amen!

Matthew 24- When Christ Returns

3 Replies

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. Matthew 24:9-14

When will Christ return? This is the question people have been asking for centuries. The last post we looked at the “Signs of Christ return”, which is the “How” today we look at the “When”. Jesus again gives us many details about how and when He will return, the day or hour we don’t know (v36) However we can discern the seasons, there are signs we can look for to spiritually discern if the time if coming

First thing Jesus said is “Many shall be offended and betray one another” Well we can of course check this off for our world today, however we can say it was always like this, or can we? What group of people is Jesus referring to here? I think he’s talking about the Church, Christians today spend alot of time fighting and arguing among each other. Are we living in the end of the Church age? Are we seeing the separation between the wheat and tares, the sheep and goats?

False prophets shall rise and deceive many, well you don’t have to go to deep into Church history to see many false prophets deceiving millions. One example, think of John Smith, who created the Mormon Church, he deceived millions into a false version of Christianity and led millions astray. This is just one deceiver, think of the many throughout Church history. Many more false prophets will rise, don’t be deceived!

Because of their wickedness and iniquity, the love will grow cold. We see wickedness on a grand scale today in the world and in the Church. The love of Christ has left the majority of the Church, they love their sin and power instead. The true Church who stand against immorality in the Church are persecuted and shunned by today’s false religion system

Jesus said “Those who endure to the end, shall be saved” Christ was not preaching a message of prosperity or comfort, he was warning about suffering and persecution, which we have seen happen also throughout Church history already. As it’s stated in the Bible, there will always be a true remnant of God (Romans 11:4, 1 Kings 19:18) and that true remnant will get persecuted by Satan

Now the final sign of when Christ will return “The gospel shall be preached to all the world” In order for Christ to come, the fullness of the Gentiles must be fulfilled. The gospel must be preached to the entire world, this is why the Great Commision is the most important job for all Christians. If you truly want Christ to return, you must fulfill your job of sharing the gospel. If you truly love Christ, share the gospel, if you truly love your neighbor, share the gospel…The gospel shall be preached to the entire world, Amen!

Matthew 24- Signs of The End

1 Reply

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:1-3

Matthew Chapter 24 is the core of all future end time events and the return of Christ. Now there are many Christians who believe all of Matthew 24 is already fulfilled, however while I believe parts are fulfilled, there are still many things to come, and will break it down in the next verses. The first sign of the end of the Old Covenant is the destruction of The Temple. This is one the of the charges the religious leaders placed on Christ during his trial, his prediction of the destruction of the Temple

We know that in 70 AD , this prophecy was fulfilled and the Temple in Israel was destroyed and never rebuilt , even to this day. Whether your a Christian or not, you can’t deny the accuracy of Jesus’ prophecy. However the destruction of The Temple has even greater meaning, as with the destruction of the Temple, goes the entire Mosaic Worship system, such as sacrifices, high priests, these are all fulfilled in Jesus Christ and his New Covenant (Hebrews 8)

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. Matthew 24:4-9

The disciples asked Jesus “What will be the signs of your return and the end of the age”? Jesus gives his disciples 4 signs, now when you study Revelation 6, the four horseman, they align perfectly with what Christ reveals here

  1. The Anti-Christ- 1rst Horseman White– And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. Revelation 6:1-2 

Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many Matthew 24:5

Yes many Ant-Christs have already come and gone, but the Son of Perdition(2 Thessalonians 2) will come at the end to deceive most of the world

  1. Wars- 2nd Horseman Red And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. Revelation 6:3-4

          And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom Matthew 24:6-7

Yes there have been wars in the past, but the Anti-Christ will generate a war on a global scale, with casualties never seen in human history

  1. Famine – 3rd Horseman Pale   And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. Revelation 6:5-6 

           . For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places Matthew 24:7

Famine will come on a global scale that has never been seen before, and large amounts of the worlds population will die

  1. Death- 4th Horseman Black – And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. Revelation 6:7-8

            Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. Matthew 24:9

The Last Horseman will be death and it will been seen on a scale never seen before in the world

Other resources:

Is Jesus The First Horseman?

Is Jesus The First Horseman?

Matthew 23- Whitewashed Tombs

1 Reply

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Matthew 23:23-28

As we continue to look at Jesus’ rebuke of the religious leaders of Israel, we see a pattern. As Jesus said “You have omitted the weightier matters of the law” The religious leaders used parts of The Law to make themselves appear holy and righteous , however they neglected the greater parts of The Law because it didn’t benefit them. As the Apostle James said “Whoever keeps the whole Law, yet stumbles in one point, is guilty of all” (James 2:10) We can’t pick and choose which parts of the Bible we want to follow, we either Love God or we love the world

Jesus called the religious leaders “Whitewashed tombs” (v27) Why? Because on the outside they appeared very holy and righteous. They sat in the most important seats, and quoted long prayers, and wore nice garments, but inside their hearts were wicked. They have adopted to a false religion, a religion that can’t save anyone, they needed to become Born Again through Christ

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. Matthew 23:29-36

Jesus points out the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, they decorate the tombs of the prophets, yet they are the one who killed the prophets. Jesus goes on to call them “You brood of vipers, how can you escape the damnation of Hell” The religious leaders are guilt of killing Gods prophets and eventually will kill the Messiah, they have brought a great judgment upon themselves and the nation of Israel

What can we learn from the religious leaders of Israel? We should learn not to fall for false religion, just because things appear to be “good” on the outside, doesn’t mean they are righteous on the inside. We have seen the Church today has fallen in the same trap, false doctrine and false teachers have flooded the Church. Don’t be deceived , God will not be mocked!

Worship God in Spirit and Truth, if we truly Love God with all our heart, soul, and strength, then our lives should reflect this Love, Amen!

Matthew 23- Woe to False Religion Part 2

4 Replies

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! Matthew 23:13-16

As we continue to look at Jesus rebuke of false religion , we must understand the word “Woe” in the Bible is the greatest condemnation you can receive. The word Woe can mean wretchedness or trouble, it basically means judgment is coming upon you. We often think of the Woes of Revelation, it’s the final judgment. So when Jesus is announcing Woe unto the religious leaders and their system, it’s an act of judgement and condemnation

Continually Jesus calls the religious leaders hypocrites, they don’t practice what they preach. They don’t truly love God and they don’t truly follow the Torah, they use man-made rules and religion to elevate themselves. Notice Christ said the religious leaders will receive “greater damnation” , so much for “soul sleep” as false prophets will receive a greater judgment in Hell than others, why? The Apostle James said “Many should not become teachers, because a greater judgment will be upon you” (James 3:1) There is a great duty and responsibility to be a servant of Christ, many have abused this calling and will suffer eternal consequences

Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. Matthew 23:17-22

Jesus continually calls the religious leaders “blind”, they are spiritually blind because they don’t have the Holy Spirit. As the Apostle Paul said “The natural man does not  receive the things from the Spirit of God, because they are foolish to them” (1 Corinthians 2:16) Even though the religious leaders know the scriptures and have dedicated their lives to studying the scriptures, they couldn’t properly discern them because they don’t have the Holy Spirit or received Christ as their Lord

People might say “Jesus is being harsh to these religious leaders” these are the same men who crucified The Lord on a cross! If you are going to be a religious leader than you need to make sure you are filled with the Holy Spirit, the false prophets and false teachers of the  Churches today will receive the same condemnation as the religious leaders of Israel, there is a great cost to be a disciple of Christ, make sure you are willing and able to pay that price! Amen!