Churchwork
11-12-2005, 11:49 PM
Jesus says in Luke 12, "Be dressed for service and well prepared, as though you were waiting for your mater to return from a wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let Him in the moment he arrives and knocks. There will be special favor for those who are ready and waiting for His return. I tell you, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, ther will be special favor for his servants who are ready!" (vv.35-39).
Jesus will return when least expected. This illustration is not for everyone. It is only for those who are Christians. We Christians are the "sensible servants" because we have given our lives to Christ.
For that servant who is ready, He "will put that servant in charge of all he owns" (v.44).
But if that sevant is not ready, "the master will return unannounced and unexpected. He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the unfaithful. The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it" (vv.46,47).
Where are the unfaithful sent? Hell. The unsaved will go to hell, an eternal separation from God. What this means is that Christians will not lose eternal life, but they will be placed into hell to burn off the dross of their works at judgment seat, and then cast into outer darkness in loss of rewards during the millennial kingdom.
The Greeks believed that the Kingdom was a heavenly, idealized and spiritual Kingdom only. But the Jews, like Isaiah and John (writer of the book of Revelation), believed it was a restored earthly kingdom.
If we look for rewards now, we will lose them later (Mark 8.36). If we receive a reward now ALWAYS, we would always be looking to get something in return and use it to boast, and only do good when we know we will get something in return in this life.
Rewards of the kingdom will be unimaginable. This is the first resurrection Paul was looking and hoping and striving for. This does not refer to the general resurrection.
Jesus will return when least expected. This illustration is not for everyone. It is only for those who are Christians. We Christians are the "sensible servants" because we have given our lives to Christ.
For that servant who is ready, He "will put that servant in charge of all he owns" (v.44).
But if that sevant is not ready, "the master will return unannounced and unexpected. He will tear the servant apart and banish him with the unfaithful. The servant will be severely punished, for though he knew his duty, he refused to do it" (vv.46,47).
Where are the unfaithful sent? Hell. The unsaved will go to hell, an eternal separation from God. What this means is that Christians will not lose eternal life, but they will be placed into hell to burn off the dross of their works at judgment seat, and then cast into outer darkness in loss of rewards during the millennial kingdom.
The Greeks believed that the Kingdom was a heavenly, idealized and spiritual Kingdom only. But the Jews, like Isaiah and John (writer of the book of Revelation), believed it was a restored earthly kingdom.
If we look for rewards now, we will lose them later (Mark 8.36). If we receive a reward now ALWAYS, we would always be looking to get something in return and use it to boast, and only do good when we know we will get something in return in this life.
Rewards of the kingdom will be unimaginable. This is the first resurrection Paul was looking and hoping and striving for. This does not refer to the general resurrection.