The Great Commission

After his resurrection, Jesus had directed the disciples to meet him in Galilee.  As we saw in John 21:14-22, the disciples had gone to Galilee, where they met the Lord.  He would spend about a month in Galilee, reviewing what had happened and what he had taught them so that they would fully understand his purpose.  Matthew 28:16-20 gives us a small description of some of the things he taught at that time.   The last three verses are what is known as the Great Commission, The responsibilities of Christ’s disciples.  

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

The great commission is based on the fact that Christ has been given final authority over everything in this universe.  I Corinthians 15:24-28 tells us, “Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.”  God has given that authority to Christ.  Hebrews 2:7-8 says essentially the same thing.  “Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.”  

Because Christ has been given that authority, His disciples are commanded to go out and “teach(μαθητενω-disciple) all nations,” literally to cause them to become disciples.  Once they become disciples they are to baptize(βαπτίζω-Immerse) them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” Not merely dipping them in the water, but causing them to understand the role of the Father, the son, and the Holy spirit in their salvation and Christian life.  Finally, they are to teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, literally, they are to teach them to obey everything Christ has commanded.  Simply getting a profession of faith, or getting them to go through the ritual of baptism is not enough. 

II Timothy 4:3-5 warns, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”  Eventually people will not want to hear God’s word, and will turn against those who teach it.  As Christians, we are to make full proof of our ministry, literally doing all there parts even in those times when people do not want to hear.  We need to remember that hard as it may be, Jesus promised, “… lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world….”  Knowing we have the full support of ruler of the universe, we should not hesitate to do what he has commanded us to do.   

Just Serve The Lord

Shortly after his resurrection, Jesus went into Galilee to meet with his disciples.  They had gone fishing in an effort to clear their minds after seeing Jesus crucified and learning that he had been raised from the dead.   Jesus was waiting on the shore with bread and fish already prepared when they came ashore.  Jesus would use the situation to teach a valuable lesson about the spiritual life.  John 21:14-19 gives background for what Jesus is teaching.  “This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.  So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.

He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?

Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.

Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.  This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.”

Just before the crucifixion, In Matthew 26:33-35, Peter had bragged  “…Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.”  He was convinced he loved the Lord more than any of the others.   Jesus asked him if he still believed that.  Peter couldn’t say he loved the Lord more than the others at this point.  He just said the Lord knew how much he loved him.  Jesus repeated the question two more times, driving home the point that is not about how much we love the Lord, or even that we have failed him, but that we are to just serve him.  In fact, as pointed out there are times when we have no control of our situation, but we are to continue to teach others about Christ anyway.  We are not perfect, but we can still obey him.    

In an effort to take the attention off himself, Peter asked what John would do, in John 21:20-22.  “Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?  Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?

Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.”   Jesus made the clear point we are not going to be judged by comparing us to others, but only on whether we have done what we were told to do.  What others do is irrelevant.  All that matters for us is whether we have obeyed the Lord ourselves.

Separating The Sheep From The Goats

Jesus finished off his teaching about the Lord’s return with one final illustration about a shepherd separating his sheep and goats in Matthew 25:31-33.  “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”

Sheep and goats are very different by nature.  Sheep tend to be somewhat timid, hesitating to do anything unless they see others doing it.  Goats, on the other hand seem to delight in doing something everyone else is afraid to try.  As a result, the sheep tend to flock together while the goats tend to go off on their own.   If left to themselves, the goats tend to find their own way home while the sheep get lost.  As a result, it is frequently necessary to separate the sheep from the goats so that the goats do not lead them into trouble. 

The sheep tend to follow their shepherd, going where ever he leads and doing what he directs them to do simply because they have learned to trust him.  The shepherd leads them to safe places and sees that they have what they need as a result.  Matthew 25:34-36 describes those who follow Christ completely.  “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.” 

Like sheep, the believers have learned to trust Christ to take care of them and lead them in the right way.   They tend to simply do what he says without giving it much thought, often not even realizing what they are doing, as Matthew 25:37-40 describes.  “Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” 

They don’t work particularly hard or agonize over what is right because it is their nature to just do what the master says, as II Corinthians 5:17-18 makes clear.  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ…”  It is a totally different attitude than the Goats, who are focused on doing as they please.   Matthew 25:41-45 demonstrates the attitude of those who have not submitted themselves to Christ.

“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” 

God’s people have a genuine concern about what is best for other people, while the goats, those who do not follow Christ are only concerned with what they want at the moment and never even think about how their actions affect others.  In their pride, it never occurs to them that what they want may result in others being hurt.    

Three Servants

In the parable about the ten virgins, Jesus warned that religious activity without the Holy Spirit in one’s heart would miss out completely when the Lord returns.   Now Jesus tells another parable to help understand what is involved in being a Christian.   Matthew 25:14-18 gives the background of the story.  “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.”  

The master assigned each servant certain responsibilities, understand their various abilities and skills.   Two of the servants accepted their responsibility and actively worked at the doing what they had been given to do, using the money their master had provided.   The third servant went and buried the money so that he wouldn’t have to worry about it being lost or stolen. 

One day the master returned and each one gave an accounting for what they had done.  Those who had actively used their Lord’s money to accomplish something were rewarded,  as described in Matthew 25:19-23.  “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.  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.”   

One servant had gained five talents while the other had gained two, but both had doubled what they had been given.  Both were commended as good and faithful servants and were welcomed into the master’s celebration.  Things are completely different for the third servant. As we see in Matthew 25:24-30.  “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 strowed: 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 strowed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.  Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.  For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 

As the master explains, the third servant knew that because of who he was the master would make a profit on everything he was involved with.  If the servant had even bothered to take the money to the bank and put it into a savings account, he would have earned a little bit of interest on it, and the money would have been almost as safe as it was buried in the ground.  By burying the money, the servant had guaranteed there was no possibility of his master making a profit on the money he had been entrusted with.   He simply couldn’t be bothered to make the effort, because it might not make very much. 

Because he made no effort to act on what he had been given, the servant lost everything and was cast into outer darkness.  The illustration is, once again of a person who has heard the truth, but never incorporates it into his life, never allowing the Holy Spirit to produce any changes in their life.  They will be cast into hell along with those who have openly rejected Christ, simply becauser they have never trusted Christ to give them salvation.    

Wise and Foolish Virgins

The disciples had asked Jesus when the end of the world would be and what signs they should be looking for.  Jesus made it very clear that most of the signs people focused on had nothing to do with when the Lord would return.  It is not God’s plan for anyone to know the date of Christ’s return.  Instead, we are to focus on serving and being ready when he comes.  In Matthew 25:1-13, he used a parable to reinforce the point. 

“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.  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.”

In the parable, all the virgins were planning on attending the wedding.  All of them had their lamps and wedding garments and all appeared to be ready, until the time when the groom actually appeared.  When he did, it suddenly came out that some had not taken the ttrouble to make sure there was oil in the lamps.  They had to go looking for some source of oil and as a result ended up missing out on the feast.  This parable illustrates again what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23.  “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”  

Sadly, many people have spent a great deal of effort doing religious and philanthropic activities or following some moral code, but have never developed a true spiritual relationship with God.  They appear just as dedicated and holy as anyone else until Christ comes, but when he does, it will quickly become apparent that the appearance is only an illusion, because there is no source of spiritual power.   Everything is about the appearance, but there is no reality there.  Unfortunately, like the foolish virgins they simply assume that when the time comes it won’t matter and that someone else will make up the difference for them.  As Jesus pointed out in the parable, they will have to address the spiritual lack personally.  Nobody else can do it for you. 

When You See the Leaves you Know Summer is Almost Here

Jesus had just made it very clear that the sign of the end of the world would be when the abomination described in Daniel appeared.   When that happened then thare would be a tremendous upsurge in persecution of those who believe and they should flee to safe places for the last three and half years of the Tribulation.  In Matthew 24:32-35, Jesus uses an illustration or parable to help us understand what he means again.  “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.”

When we see the trees begin to bud, we know that summer is close, and when we see the leaves start growing we know that is is only a few days until summer comes.  Similarly, as we see the attacks on Israel, we know things are getting close. But when we see the Antichrist actually move in and set himself up as God we know that the Lord’s return is going to happen within a matter of days or weeks.  The end is so close the people will not all die before it is over. 

It is important to understand that until it reaches that point, no one knows what the schedule will be, according to Matthew 24:36-44.  “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.  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.” 

While there will be gathering clouds and indications that something is fixing to happen, there will be nothing specific to indicate just when it will occur.  When the flood came in Noah’s day, the people had been warned, and they had seen the clouds gather but there was nothing shouting that today is the day.  Nothing really changed until the day the rain started falling.  When it did, there was no time to run get ready.  When that time comes, they will either be ready or they will not.  Like Noah, we have had advance warning, and if we act on it we will be ready, but there will be no special warnings, no special signs of the times such as the prophetic teachers have taught, because as Acts 1:7 tells us, “…It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” 

Instead of worrying about when the Lord will return, Christians need to be focused on doing the Job Christ gave us here on earth, as Matthew 24:45-51 warns.  “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.” 

Those who have faithfully taught people to obey God will be rewarded for their faithfulness.  Those who have used the ministry to enrich themselves or build their own reputation or empire will be severely punished. 

The Sign Of Christ’s Return

Jesus had made it clear that most of the signs that have been touted as indicating the end of the world are in fact only signs that there are consequences for sin.   The disciples had asked “…what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world,” in Matthew 24:3.  In Matthew 24:15-22, Jesus described a specific sign the Christians should be looking for. 

“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: 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.” 

Jesus said that when Christians saw the fulfilment of the prophecy in Daniel 9:27, they would know it was the end.  “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”  Daniel 11:36-38 gives more detail as to what this abomination will entail.  “And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.  Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all.  But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.” 

Halfway through the Tribulation period, the Antichrist will turn on Israel in a deliberate effort to destroy those who worship God, both Jews and Christians.  As Jesus warned, there will be trouble like the world has never seen, and especially in Israel.  It will make the Holocaust seem easy by comparison, and if God did not limit its duration, no one would survive, but God will limit it for his people’s sake.  When that time comes, the Christians are not to worry about being left behind. 

Matthew 24:23-28 tells us, “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 show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Behold, I have told you before. 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.” 

When we hear about people gathering to meet the Lord in certain place, we should not believe it because charlatans and false teachers will use such gatherings to rip off people, even using fake miracles to convince them.  When the Tribulation is over, there will be tremendous changes in the natural world, and Christ will separate out his children from the wicked, as Matthew 24:29-31 describes. 

“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: 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.” 

Jesus is the creator of the world and God in the flesh.  It would be pretty arrogant to conclude that what he says about the Second Coming and the End of Time are wrong.