Some of the disciples asked Jesus questions regarding the signs of His Return. The Discourse by Jesus in answer to the questions is found in Matthew chapter twenty-four and continues into the next chapter. The next chapter of Matthew contains some wonderful pictures of blessing. Here Jesus told the Parable of the Talents in which the obedient and faithful servant is told he would be “ruler over many things.” (Matthew 25:21) There is a very similar parable in Luke chapter nineteen in which the faithful servant is given “authority over ten cities.” (Luke19:17)

I am of the opinion that in Glory we will not sit on a cloud, playing a harp. I think we will have responsibilities in the Lord’s Kingdom. I think we Christians may be the “new shepherds” prophesied in Jeremiah 3:15 and Isaiah 30:20-21. The parables of the talents and the minas indicate the awarding of responsibilities. Some will shepherd a small group, others will shepherd a city, or five cities, or ten cities. It appears this is the meaning of the Lord’s parables in Matthew chapter twenty-five and Luke chapter nineteen.

Luke chapter seventeen, tells us that two people will be in bed; one will be taken, the other will remain. Likewise, we are told that two people will be working at a mill; one will be taken, the other will remain. This speaks of an instantaneous, day and night, world-wide event. This speaks of the Rapture. The Greek word for “taken” is paralambano (Strong's G3880), which can be defined as “received.” One will be received, the other will remain. I hope you look forward to being received by the Lord as I do. Please see John 14:3.

In Mark’s account of the Olivet Discourse the Lord Jesus instructs us to keep watch because we do not know when the “master” is coming. He then enumerates four watches; the evening, midnight, rooster crowing and the dawn watches. (Mark 13:35) In Psalm 90:4, Moses tells us that with the Lord a thousand years are like a day gone by, or a watch in the night. In Matthew’s account of the Olivet Discourse Jesus gave us a wonderful hint. In the Parable of the Ten Virgins the bridegroom came at midnight! (Matthew 25:6) Taking the information from Moses and the information from Jesus, the bridegroom may come at midnight, or the second watch, or the second thousand years, or, in other words, about now! This hint is not surprising.

“Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.” (Isaiah 42:9 – my emphasis)