END TIME PARABLES, BE PREPARED

(Jeremiah, Hosea & Matthew)

By Don Hollifield

Selected Verse: Matthew 24v33: "When you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors."

Today's message is called: "End Time Parables, Be prepared." How many of you believe that we are in The End Times, or very near? Suppose I would say that in one of the parables, I believe Jesus identifies The End Times as being the present.

Let's go back to the time of Jesus and review His final days. He has entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Then on Monday morning as He returned, He stops to curse and kill a fig tree. He then drives the money changers and dove merchants from the Temple of God.

Why did Jesus curse and kill the fig tree? Later Jesus with His Disciples go to the top of Mount Olive away from the crowds. There He is asked by His Disciples about the end times.

Matthew 24v3: And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives, the Disciples came to him privately, (Or away from the crowds) saying, "Tell us, when these things be and what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?"

Then Jesus gives them the signs of the End Times, as recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21. I won't cover all of these verses, but instead the parables that Jesus answered immediately after being asked about The End times. Keep in mind that Jesus said these parables as part of the answers to the questions by His Disciples. I believe they are as important as the signs of The End Times.

Matthew 24v32, Jesus said: "Now learn the Parable of the Fig Tree."

This is the only Parable that Jesus commands us to learn. I dare say that far less than 1% of all Christians know the parable. I have taught the parable in many Churches and I have yet to find a single person including ministers that knew the parable. I won't fully cover the parable in detail, since I have already sent the Parable to you, plus it would take at least 30 minutes.

The parable covers Two fig trees, beginning in the Garden of Eden and ending in the Book of Revelation. The parable is scattered throughout the Bible.

The fig trees are as follows:
1. The Tree of Life is God, the Messiah and if you seek His tree and consume its fruit, and accept Jesus as your savior, you shall Not die.
2. The Tree of Knowledge of Right and Wrong, which I call the Tree of Death, since it is the devil or the false messiah; and if you consume his fruit, you'll die.

Since God is the Tree of Life which is symbolic as a special Fig Tree. The Nation of Israel is also referred to a branch to the Fig Tree, and since Jesus' roots come from the Israelites. Jesus also refers to himself as The Branch, and of course He is The Branch of the Fig Tree, or the Tree of Life.

In 611 BC, when the Assyrians captured Samaria, the 10 northern tribes of the Israelites were scattered. Some went into Northern Africa, some to Asia and some as far east as India, but the far majority have been traced into Europe, especially the British Isles.

Then in 477 BC, the Babylonians captured Judah and most of the remaining tribes of Judah and Benjamin were also captured. But the remnant from Jerusalem escaped to Egypt and has been traced to Spain and then to Ireland.

Later, after the Americas were discovered there was a large migration of the Jewish people into the United States and Canada. Then when Hitler started his rampage, there was a mass migration of the Jewish people into the USA. As a result, the United States became the world's largest population of Jewish Nationals.

Jeremiah 24v6, God says: "I will set my eyes upon them for good, (I'll watch over them) and I will bring them back to this land (Israel) and I will plant them (Like a tree) and not pluck them up.

God watches over the Israelites and says that He will bring them back to the Holy Land where they will stay. In 1948, when the United Nations established Israel, God's prophesy was fulfilled. The Fig Tree was replanted in the Holy Land.

This covers the background of the Parable of the Fig Tree. And now we understand why Jesus cursed and killed a fig tree before going to the cross.

The fig tree represented the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden which was the devil. Jesus told the devil, "I'm going to the cross to die for sin, and you're going to the abyss. Your days are numbered."

Let's repeat what Jesus said in Matthew 24v32-34&36: Now learn the Parable of the Fig Tree; when his branch is yet tender and puteth forth leaves, you know that summer is nigh." (or near) "When his branch is yet tender and puteth forth leaves summer is nigh." This is all in the same verse, so you know Jesus is talking about the Fig Tree.

When a tree is replanted, it will remain dormant for a short period of time, and then it will put out tender branches or starts to grow. The Jewish Nation is the fig tree and was replanted in 1948. Then shortly afterwards, tender branches started to grow, or the Jewish Nation started to expand. I believe Jesus is prophesying the 6 day war, when Israel captured Jerusalem and surrounding areas shortly before summer in June 1967.

What happens after summer? The Harvest. V33: When you see all these things, know that it is near; even at the doors.

What's near? The Harvest, when Jesus returns to gather His Flock. V34: Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled.

What generation? The generation of the Parable of the Fig Tree. The generation born after 1967.

According to Jewish philosophy, a generation is 40 years; so add 40 to 1967 and you get 2007. Could the year 2008 be the beginning of the 7 years of the tribulations with Jesus returning in the year 2015. Interesting!!!

V36: But of that day and hour, knoweth no man; no not the angels, but My Father only. For in the days before the flood, they were eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until Noah entered the ark.

They were drinking, partying and jumping from bed to bed. Sound familiar? Remember in those days when a man slept with a woman he was married to her. V42-44: Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord come.

Then Jesus gives 4 parables involving everyone and remember Jesus is talking about the End Times. The time of the Parable of the Fig Tree.

The First Parable: V43: But know this, if the Goodman of the house had known what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would NOT have suffered his house to be broken up. The Goodman of the house, either male or female, whoever is responsible for the household. Don't go to sleep and allow the devil to steal your loved ones or destroy your home. Be prepared.

How many of you believe the Bible should be taught in school? Now how many of you study and teach the Bible in your home? You may be the only link your children or grandchildren have with the Bible. Or do you allow dust to collect on the Bible while it sits on a top shelf? Or do you only open it when you come to Church?

V44: Be ye also ready; for such an hour ye think not, the Son of Man cometh. We don't know the hour, but Jesus is specifically talking about when He returns, at the End-Times. Be prepared.

The Second Parable: V45-51: Who then is a faithful and wise servant; whom his Lord hath made him ruler over His household, to give them meat in due season. I repeat: "To give them meat in due season." V45: Blessed is that servant, whom His Lord, when He cometh, shall find him so doing. V47: Verily, I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all His goods.

The Lord is Jesus and the servant is anyone, or all of us, responsible for teaching the Word of God, especially the Meat of the Bible. You may teach the Word of God anywhere: at Church, Sunday School, Bible Study, at home or anywhere.

Meat is food for the soul, which is the Word of God. When we are in position for feeding the sheep, it behooves us to do our very best.

When a person is teaching the Word of God, he is responsible to God Himself. You will answer to God if you don't teach it properly, and to the best of your ability. God has put you in position and He expects the best, and He deserves the best. We are responsible "To give him meat in due season." "Due Season," is the season before the Harvest, which I believe is NOW.

The harvest is when Jesus returns for His Crop. God will never ask you to so something beyond your ability and God will always be with you.

But if you do not produce, look what Jesus says: V48-49: But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, "My Lord delayed His coming;" V49: And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken.

By partying with the wicked and failing to properly teach the Word of God. V50-51: 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. V51: And shall cut him asunder. And appoint him his position with the hypocrites.

Jesus will come when He is not expected and will cut him from His flock. He shall be cast out with those having the mark of the beast, There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Where's that? That's in hell? Be prepared.

The Third Parable: Matthew 25v1-13: Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto the virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom. V2: And five were wise and five were foolish. V3: They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them. V4: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. V5: While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. V6: And at mid-night there was a cry made, "Behold the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him." V7: Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. V8: And the foolish said unto the wise, "Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out." V9: But the wise answered saying, "Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you; but go to them that sell, and buy for yourselves." V10: And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready, went with Him to the marriage; and the door shut. V11: afterward came also the other virgins saying, "Lord, Lord, Open the door to us." V12: But He answered and said, "Verily, I say unto you, 'I know you not.'" Jesus continues: V13: "Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein THE SON OF MAN COMETH.

Jesus identifies the Bridegroom as the Son of Man, Himself. And who will Jesus marry? The Church!

Thus the virgins are the various Churches. The Lamps are the light of Jesus, being fed by the anointing oil of God, through the Word of God, the ministers and fellow Christians.

The wise virgins are the Churches that keep the Holy Spirit burning brightly, by teaching the Word correctly and exactly as it's written. Their congregations are united in their works, doing God's will. These Churches spread the Gospel throughout the community; by helping their friends and neighbors, according to God's Will, whenever and wherever possible. They are prepared for the marriage to Christ.

The foolish virgins are also Churches. They don't keep the Holy Spirit burning brightly in their Churches; through bickering among themselves and not following the teachings of Jesus. Their ministers do NOT always teach the Word properly. They teach what the congregation wants to hear and NOT what God wants them to hear. They put a spin on the Bible.

They have allowed the devil to infiltrate their ranks by misleading the congregation.

I.E. Homosexuality is just a way of life. That's a lie!

I.E. The Bible has many errors, so don't believe everything you read. That's a lie! Every word is true.

I.E. Some of the miracles in the Bible were just normal events that can be explained. That's a lie. They were miracles.

I.E. They misquote the Bible and the congregation believes them. Check them out. I have heard ministers misquote the Bible. Most of which were minor, but some were not. Their sermons have little or no scripture in them.

These Churches are NOT prepared for the bridegroom and when the virgins return for oil in their lamps, it's too late. They are lost and their lamps do not have the proper oil in them. And as Jesus said, "I know you not." Be prepared.

The Fourth Parable: Matthew 25v14-25: For the kingdom of heaven is as a Man traveling into a far country, who called His servants, and delivered unto them His goods. V15: And unto one He gave five talents, to another He gave two, and to another He gave one; to every man according to his several ability, and straightaway took His journey. V16: Then he that had five talents went and traded with the same and made another five talents. V17: And likewise he that had two, he also gained other two. V18: But he that had received one went and digged in the earth and hid His Lord's money. V19: After a long time the Lord of those servants cometh and reckoned with them. V20: And so he that had five talents came and brought other five talents saying, "Lord, thou delivered unto me five talents. Behold, I have gained beside them five talents more." V21: His Lord said unto him, "Well done thou good and faithful servants. Thou has been faithful over a few things. I will make the ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. V22: He also that had received two talents came and said, "Lord, thou delivered unto me two talents. Behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. V23: His Lord said unto him, "Well done, good and faithful servant, thou has been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

Jesus is the man who called His servant together. Talents are weights of gold coins, they are also symbolic of our God given Spiritual Gifts and our skills. This parable tells us of our rewards in heaven, according to our works in serving God, or how we used our spiritual gifts and skills.

V24: Then he that had received the one talent came and said, "Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man reaping where thou has not sown, and gathering where thou has not strawed. V25: And I was afraid and went and hid thy talents in the earth, lo there thou hast that is mine. V26: His Lord answered and said unto him, "Thou wicked and slothful servant..."

This servant was lazy, slow and useless. He failed to reap any harvest, he did nothing. He had one gift but was lazy and useless. He failed to gain any talents for his Lord. He did nothing.

Look what Jesus says that will happen to him. Matthew 25v30: And cast the unprofitable servant into outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

This servant is cast into outer darkness which is with the devil who is called the Prince of Darkness. Where is this? Hell, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. If we don't want to be like this man, we better serve God as expected. Be prepared.

How do we stay prepared? Jesus gave us the answers in the parables. These parables indicate that NOT all believers are saved, especially when considering the 10 virgins. I believe there is a vast difference between having a casual acquaintance and having a permanent relationship with Jesus.

The same is true in believing the Bible. If you truly believe IN the Bible and IN Jesus, then you are part of the spiritual body of Jesus; and you will follow the teachings of Jesus and His Father, the Almighty. You obey God's laws, you study the Bible and you heed the warnings of the End-Time parables.

Why do you suppose Jesus taught these parables??? (1) Keep a righteous home. (2) Preach, teach and practice the Word of God. (3) Keep the Holy Spirit burning brightly in your Church. (4) Use your God given talents in serving God, your Church and the community, bringing lost souls to salvation. You never know when you may plant the seed that starts a person on the road to salvation.

Perhaps these articles may help someone or you may know someone that needs to better understand the Bible; and you give a minister's address to him. You never know when God may call on you!!!

Jesus then speaks about His return and the reward for the faithful. First: Jesus separates the sheep from the goats, putting the Sheep on His right and Goats on His left. Who are the sheep? They are the true Christians.

Who are the goats? They are the unfaithful and non-believers. Matthew 25v33: Then shall the King say unto them on His right, "Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundations of the world."

The Christians shall inherit the Kingdom of God. This plan was formulated when God first prepared the foundations of this earth. His plan is according to the works you accomplished helping to build the orderly foundations of Christianity in this world age. Or according to your works in Christ.

Some of you may Not believe we're in the final days. As I study the Book of Hosea, I came across this important scripture: Hosea 3v4 which is about the tribes of Israel being scattered throughout the world. The next verse is a prophesy about the tribes being united in Israel which came true in 1948.

Hosea 3v5: Afterward, shall the children of Israel return (To Israel) and seek the Lord their God and David their King (The teachings and practices of King David) and shall fear the Lord and His goodness, in the later days. When? "In the later days." Since 1948!

Yes I firmly believe we are in the Later Days. And the Parable of the Fig Tree tells us that the generation born after 1967 will witness the return of Jesus.

The time is near, even at the door. Be prepared.

AMEN