Scofield Reference Notes Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. [1] shall
This part of the Olivet discourse goes beyond the "sign" questions of the disciples Mt 24:3 and presents our Lord's return in three aspects: (1) As testing profession, Mt 25:1-13 (2) as testing service, Mt 25:14-30; (3) as testing the Gentile nations, Mt 25:31-46. [2] virgins The kingdom of heaven here is the sphere of profession, as in Mat 13. All alike have lamps, but two facts fix the real status of the foolish virgins: They "took no oil," and the Lord said, "I know you not." Oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit, and "If any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his" Rom 8:9 Nor could the Lord say to any believer, however unspiritual, "I know you not." Margin heaven See Scofield Note: "Mt 3:2" 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. Margin Son of man
Also Mt 24:31. See Scofield Note: "Mt 8:20". 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. Margin the kingdom of heaven is
Omit the italicised words, "the kingdom of heaven is". 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.
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. Margin Well done
The Lord's commendation may be earned by the weakest of His servants; it is given for faithful service. 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. Margin Well done
The same commendation is gained by the servant with two talents as by him with five; he was equally faithful though his gift was less. 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:
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.
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: Margin Son of man
See Scofield Note: "Mt 8:20". Margin angels See Scofield Note: "Heb 1:4" 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: [1] And before him
This judgment is to be distinguished from the judgment of the great white throne. Here there is no resurrection; the persons judged are living nations; no books are opened; three classes are present, sheep, goats, and brethren; the time is at the return of Christ (Mt 25:31); and the scene is on the earth. All these particulars are in contrast with Rev 20:11-15. The test in this judgment is the treatment accorded by the nations to those whom Christ here call "my brethren." These "brethren" are the Jewish Remnant who will have preached the Gospel of the kingdom to all nations during the tribulation. See "Remnant" Isa 1:9 Rom 11:5. The test in Rev 20:11-15 is the possession of eternal life. See, for the other six judgments: See Scofield Note: "John 12.31: See Scofield Note: "1Cor 11:31" See Scofield Note: "2Cor 5:10" See Scofield Note: "Ezek 20:37" See Scofield Note: "Jude 1:6" See Scofield Note: "Rev 20:12" And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
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: Margin kingdom
See Scofield Note: "Mt 3:2". For I was an hungred, 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.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? Margin righteous
See Scofield Note: "Rom 10:10" 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.
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: Margin angels
See Scofield Note: "Heb 1:4" For I was an hungred, 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 hungred, 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. Margin into everlasting Judgments (the seven). Lk 14:14 2Sam 7:14 Rev 20:12. "Eternal" and "everlasting" are the same word. Scofield Reference Notes by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield [1917] Bible Hub |
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