Matthew 25

Matthew 25

This chapter contains a couple of parables and then a warning about the final judgment.

I’ve heard a number of sermons about the ten virgins where preachers likened the oil to the Holy Spirit and then gave some convoluted explanation about the meaning of it. However, I think the lesson is clearly stated in verse 13: “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.” We do not know when Jesus is coming, but we should keep watch. It could be anytime.

The parable of the ten virgins and the parable of the three servants are both illustrations of the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus has a lot to say about the Kingdom of Heaven. In fact, John the Baptist even talked about the Kingdom of Heaven; see Matthew 3:1-2 which says, “In those days, John the Baptist came, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’”

In the Beatitudes (Matthew 5 and 6), Jesus speaks often of the kingdom of heaven, e.g., “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” and “Blessed are those who who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” and “Seek ye first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

It seems that one could spend months studying the Kingdom of Heaven.

To summarize, though, at the final judgment, the Lord will be separating the sheep from the goats. The sheep will inherit the Kingdom “prepared for you from the creation of the world” and the goats will be cast into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.

Tomorrow, we’ll read Matthew 26 and Mark 14.

Be Careful

A good reminder with the holiday, giving season ahead.

THINK BEFORE YOU DONATE

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
  BEFORE YOU MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS:

As you open your pockets to do a good thing

and make yourself feel good,
please keep the following facts in mind:
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The American Red Cross
President and CEO Marsha J. Evans'

salary for the year was $651,957 plus expenses

MARCH OF DIMES
It is called the March of Dimes because

only a dime for every 1 dollar is given to the needy.


The United Way
President Brian Gallagher

receives a $375,000 base salary along with numerous expense benefits.

UNICEF
CEO Caryl M. Stern receives

$1,200,000 per year (100k per month) plus all expenses including a ROLLS ROYCE.

Less than 5 cents of your donated dollar goes to the cause.

GOODWILL
CEO and owner Mark Curran profits $2.3 million a year.
Goodwill is a very catchy name for his business.

You donate to his business and then he sells the items for PROFIT.
He pays nothing for his products and pays his workers minimum wage! Nice Guy.
$0.00 goes to help anyone! Stop giving to this man.

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Instead, give it to ANY OF THE FOLLOWING

GO "GREEN" AND
  PUT YOUR MONEY

WHERE IT WILL
  DO SOME GOOD:

The Salvation Army
Commissioner, Todd Bassett receives a small salary of only

$13,000 per year (plus housing) for managing this $2 billion dollar organization.

96 percent of donated dollars go to the cause.

The American Legion
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!
The Veterans of Foreign Wars
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.

Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Disabled American Veterans
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!
The Military Order of Purple Hearts
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.
Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

The Vietnam Veterans Association
National Commander receives a $0.00 zero salary.

Your donations go to help Veterans and their families and youth!

Make a Wish: For children's last wishes.

100% goes to funding trips or special wishes for a dying child.

St. Jude Research Hospital

100% goes towards funding and helping Children with Cancer who have no insurance and can
not afford to pay.

Ronald McDonald Houses

All monies go to running the houses for parents who have critical Children in the hospital.

100% goes to housing, and feeding the families.

Lions Club International

100% OF DONATIONS GO TO HELP THE BLIND, BUY HEARING AIDES, SUPPORT MEDICAL MISSIONS AROUND THE WORLD.  THEIR LATEST UNDERTAKING

IS MEASLES VACCINATIONS (ONLY $1.00 PER SHOT).
Please share this with everyone you can.

Until next time…