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When talking about our military, we speak of the state of readiness.
Christians also must remain in a state of readiness. We must be
ready for Christ's return and to stand before Him in judgment.
A few days before being crucified, Jesus taught His disciples about
being ready. Jesus' teachings in Matthew 24:36-25:46 were specifically
spoken concerning the end (24:6, 13, 14) from which we learn:
Jesus illustrates this fact with Noah. Up to the day of the flood,
people continued eating, drinking, and marrying. They did not know
the day or hour of the flood just as we do not know the day or hour
that Christ will be revealed. Nor do we know that day or hour that
we will pass from this life. So Jesus said: "Therefore you
also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you
do not expect Him" (Matt. 24:44).
God is man's Creator. Therefore each man is God's servant. But
there are two types of servants - faithful and evil. The Lord looks
down upon His servants and finds the faithful servant doing His
will while the evil servant is disobedient to His will. The faithful
servants are ready for their Master's return while the evil servant
is not ready. The faithful servant will be rewarded at his Master's
coming but the evil servant will be punished.
Jesus told His disciples a parable about the kingdom of heaven.
He said that the kingdom of heaven was likened to ten virgins. Five
of the virgins were foolish and five of the virgins were wise. The
five wise virgins were ready for the bridegroom and entered into
the wedding. But the five foolish virgins were not ready for the
bridegroom and did not enter the wedding. Then Jesus said: "Watch
therefore, for you know neither the day nor hour in which the Son
of Man is coming" (Matt. 25:13).
After the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus told His disciples
another parable. He said that the kingdom of heaven is like a man
traveling into a far country who called his servants and gave them
talents (i.e., money). One received five talents, one received two
talents, and the last received one talent. After a long time, the
Lord came back and settled accounts with his servants. The servants
with five and two talents doubled their lord's money, but the last
servant did nothing with his lord's talent. The profitable servants
were rewarded and the unprofitable servant was cast into outer darkness
where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus ends His discourse emphasizing the judgments of which He
has already taught. The unprofitable servants will go into everlasting
punishment, but the profitable servants will go into eternal life.
Let's ask ourselves these questions: Am I a faithful servant or
an evil servant? Am I wise and therefore ready for Christ's return?
Am I working to the very best of my ability? Am I ready for judgment?
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