FIVE SECOND COMING PARABLES

By David Riggs

Intro.
   A. Peter, Paul and John wished for the Lord's return.
      1. 1 Cor. 16:9-24 - Thus, Paul with his own hand said, "O
         Lord, come!" which the KJV puts literally "Maranatha."
      2. 2 Pet. 3:10-12 - Thus, we should be "looking for and
         earnestly desiring the come of the day of God." (ASV)
         "Look forward to and speed its coming." (NIV)
      3. Rev. 22:20-21 - There two possibilities here:
         a. John wanted the Lord to come quickly in judgment and
            retribution - in bringing the plagues upon those who
            were persecuting Christians.
         b. John wanted the end of all things to come quickly.
   B. There are five parables in the New Testament which teach the
      sudden, unexpected, dramatic coming of the Lord. (See chart
      below)
      1. All of them teach the importance of readiness.

I. THE DOOR-KEEPER - Luke 12:35-36; Mark 13:33-37
   A. The man going into a far country represents Christ. Someday, He
      will return.
      1. He gave responsibility to all his servants, but we put
         emphasis here on the door-keeper.
      2. The door-keeper is similar to a century posted who was to
         guard something, perhaps a gate.
      3. The door-keeper was to watch at all times so that when his
         master returned, he could open the door to let him in.
      4. The watching door-keeper represents the responsibility for
         us to watch for our own souls, keeping ourselves ready for
         the Lord's return at all times.

II. OWNER OF THE HOUSE - Luke 12:39-40; Matt. 24:42-44
   A. The Lord's coming is not as a thief who comes "unnoticed," but
      as a thief who comes "unexpectedly."
      1. The thief comes at an unexpected time.
      2. If we knew when the burglar was coming to rob our house,
         we would stay home so that he would be scared away.
      3. Other passages show that Jesus is coming as a thief. 1      
         Thess. 5:2,4; 2 Pet. 3:10
   B. Again, watchfulness at all times is emphasized.

III. SERVANT IN CHARGE OF THE HOUSEHOLD - Matt. 24:45-
      51; Luke 12:41-46
   A. The servant said in his heart, "My master is delaying his      
      coming."
      1. Many people today think they have plenty of time; thus, they
         see no urgency in getting prepared; at least, not at this
         present time.
   B. The servant began to mistreat his fellow servants and to eat   
      and drink with the drunkards.
      1. He began to submit to temptations and to live an wicked     
         life.
      2. At times, some Christians become more wicked than they
         were before their conversion. 2 Pet. 2:20-22
   C. A new dimension is mentioned here - the peril of doom.
      1. The unfaithful servant will receive the same eternal
         destruction as the unbelievers.

IV. THE TEN VIRGINS - Matt. 25:1-13
   A. This parable is mentioned only in Matthew.
   B. The ten virgins represent the members of the church.
   C. The "extra oil" for the lamps represents complete service.
      1. All had made some preparation, but some were lacking.
   D. The sudden coming of the bridegroom, of course, represents the
      sudden coming of Christ.
   E. The foolish were not able to obtain extra oil from their       
      friends.
      1. Each person will stand on his own merits when the Lord
         comes.
      2. No one can come to our aid at that time.
   F. Sad, tragic words will be pronounced to those who are not
      completely prepared.
      1. He said, "I do not know you."
      2. They will not be treated as a distant acquaintance, but as
         someone He never knew. Luke 13:25-28

V. PROPER USE OF TALENTS OR POUNDS - Matt. 25:14-30;
   Luke 19:11-27
   A. The parables of the talents and pounds are similar, but Luke's 
      is wider in scope and more complex.
      1. The lessons and applications of the two parables are the
         same.
   B. Luke 19:11 - There was much excitement from the crowd. They
      thought the kingdom would be set us as soon as He arrived in
      Jerusalem.
      1. Luke 19:12 - The nobleman (Christ) went into a far country
         (heaven) to receive for Himself a kingdom (the church) and
         to return (His second coming).
         a. Daniel saw in the night visions One who came to the
            Ancient of Days and, among other things, a kingdom
            was given to Him. Dan. 7:13-14
   C. Luke 19:14 - His citizens would not have Him reign over Him. 
      1. Later, these (His enemies) were to be slain before Him. Luke
         19:27
   D. His servants were given money ("each according to his ability"
      Matt. 25:15) and were told to do business until He returned. 
      1. Because of their diligent labor, the faithful servants were
         greatly rewarded.
         a. When He comes, the Lord will bless those who are hard
            at work in His kingdom.
   E. In both parables there is one who does not use what was
      entrusted to him.
      1. He had a twisted type of fear. His fear should not have kept
         him from faithfulness, but prompted him to it.
      2. The unfaithful man is labeled as a "wicked and lazy servant"
         and is cast into outer darkness. Matt. 25:26,30

Concl.
   A. The five second coming parables emphasize the sudden and
      unexpected coming of the Lord.
   B. He will come as:
      1. The thief in the night.
      2. The midnight arrival of the bridegroom.
      3. The late return of the owner of the house.
      4. The nobleman from a far country.
   C. All the parables warn us to not be indifferent or slack.
      1. Let us be ready, waiting, and watching for His return.

Chart:
The Five Second Coming Parables
1. The Door-Keeper - Luke 12:35-38; Mark 13:33-37
2. Owner of the House - Luke 12:39-40; Matt. 24:42-44
3. Servant in Charge of the Household - Matt. 24:45-51; Luke 12:41-46
4. The Ten Virgins - Matt. 25:1-13
5. Proper Use of Talents or Pounds - Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27