Page 148 - Eschatology - Masters revised

1 John 2:28 (NIV84)28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears, we may
be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

Any believer who sacrificially serves Jesus Christ will receive a commendation and eternal rewards for all
of eternity. In this parable each servant was given a different amount of responsibility, according to their
capabilities.

A steward should be found to be faithful. (1 Cor. 4:2)

1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV84)2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove
faithful.

Each of us will be rewarded for what we did with what Jesus Christ has given us. We must be faithful in
whatever He has called us to do (differing occupations, opportunities, talents, etc.)

In the parable of the Minas, each servant was given the exact same amount of responsibility, but the
commendation and the reward was proportionate to their sacrificial faithfulness. (Luke 19:16-19)

Luke 19:16–19 (NIV84)16 “The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ 17 “
‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very
small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ 18 “The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned
five more.’ 19 “His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’

We should be sacrificially serving Jesus Christ, our Bridegroom, in order to hear His commendation some
day and for all of eternity. Those who live for themselves rather than sacrificially serving Jesus Christ will
receive a rebuke and lose eternal reward they could have had.

The language of v. 30 would not have been understood by Jesus’ listeners to be describing hell, but
rather, the discipline of a servant. In a previous parable in this same context about the faithfulness of
believers (Matt. 24:45-51) Jesus also used the phrase “cut him in two” to signify a severe scolding. In
verse 26 the third servant is called a “wicked servant”. The Greek word for wicked can mean “bad,
worthless, of poor quality, sick” and that would fit this context. This servant was not willing to sacrifice,
to work for his master because he knew both the original talent and the resulting income would belong
to the master who was the rightful owner.

Many believers today are simply living for themselves, for their own comfort, not willing to sacrifice for
Christ’s work. The minimum interest expected could be that a believer would at least make it known
that he is a believer in Christ. An unfaithful believer may no longer have the use of the talents and gifts
he has been given here on earth, even though he will desperately desire to serve his King of Kings for all
of eternity.

Notice that the parable of the Minas, the word “enemies of mine” (Luke 19:27) most likely deals with
unbelievers. “Slaying” here is figurative for eternal separation from the kingdom which they declined.

Luke 19:27 (NIV84)27 But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—
bring them here and kill them in front of me.’ ”

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