Stay Prepared for the Return of the Master

FINAL POST ON THE OLIVET DISCOURSE
At this point Mark adds another illustration the Lord gave of this teaching. He compares Himself to a man taking a journey far from home and leaves His servants with specific work assignments. The porter, the one that controls entry to His property is instructed to stand watch; I believe this is a reference to those who are in positions of spiritual oversight. The application is one of being diligent in your work and ready to greet the Master at any time. Again, I think this teaching is encouraging to believers both before the rapture and before the second coming. Both groups should want to please the Lord with how they have served Him and should keep their focus on the truth that He is coming to deliver them from the evil of this world to experience the joy of His kingdom.

Matthew then adds an illustration as to how the master of the house could effectively protect it if he knew when the thieves were coming. It think this statement ties in directly to His words to the church at Sardis, Revelation 3:3 “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” It is a warning to persevere in spite of how bad things get and not compromise your faith so as to be ashamed when He comes as He warns later in Revelation 16:15. “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

The Lord goes on to share words of praise and encouragement to the faithful and wise servants who diligently persevere in their work. He assures them they will be well rewarded; they will be given authority over all He possesses. He then gives words of warning to “evil servants.” They are obviously not serving the Master. They are serving self and are not at all concerned about the Lord’s return. Though they may be masquerading as “His servants,” they will be exposed as hypocrites, actors under an assumed name, and judged accordingly. This again takes us back to those verses in Matthew 7 referenced previously.

I’m not going into Matthew 25 at this time, since it is further instruction on being prepared for the kingdom and emphasizes the truth already discussed that only those who are prepared and qualified will get to enter Messiah’s kingdom. These parables are not found in Mark and Luke.