Matthew 24:32-25:30

Seven Powerful Illustrations of Jesus Coming!

Matthew continues building his case for the Jewish doubters and skeptics to show that they failed to recognize Jesus, the Messiah. Here, Jesus answers question about the signs of Jesus' return and of the end of the age with seven illustrations. The illustrations reveal a common thread of truth that relates to the present day: a mentality of unbelief that leaves people unprepared.

  1. Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:
  2. So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
  3. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
  4. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
  5. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
  6. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
  7. 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,
  8. And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
  9. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
  10. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
  11. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
  12. 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.
  13. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
  14. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
  15. Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
  16. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
  17. But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming;
  18. And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
  19. 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,
  20. And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
  1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
  2. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
  3. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
  4. But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
  5. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
  6. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
  7. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
  8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
  12. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
  13. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
  17. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
  18. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.
  19. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. 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.
  24. 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:
  25. And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
  26. 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:
  27. Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
  28. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
  29. 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.
  30. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.