Section 115, Two End Time Parables

Section 115
CONCLUSION OF OUR LORD'S DISCOURSE. PARABLES OF VIRGINS AND TALENTS.
THE FINAL JUDGMENT.
(Mount of Olives. Tuesday, April 4, A. D. 30.)
MATT. 25:1-46

Jesus relates two parables regarding the end times.  The first, the Parable of the Ten Virgins, is a warning to be watchful and prepared.  The second is another parable of talents, conveying the truth that we should be diligent while we wait and look to Him in faith.

My Thoughts on the End Times...

End times are some of my least favorite parts of the gospels.  Yes, I look forward to His return, and Briggs pointed that out immediately. the overwhelming thought of stars falling from the sky, people caught off guard, and judgments being cast--

From the last section, I agree with the comments of the Fourfold Commentary in this regard:

25 And there shall be signs in sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the billows [We can conceive of nothing which would produce greater mental distress or perplexity than changes in the position or condition of the heavenly bodies. Such changes will be followed by corresponding commotions on our planet, as, for instance, great tidal waves and vast agitation in the ocean.]-Fourfold Gospel

And I also appreciate their nudge to refocus here too:

 c 28 But when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh. [The preliminary death-throes of this present physical universe, which will strike terror to the souls of those who have limited themselves to material hopes, will be to the Christian a reassuring sign, since he looks for a new heaven and a new earth.]-Fourfold

It is our positional difference---it will be our positional difference--that impacts our feeling about this chaos.
If it is the beginning of a new birth, then all is well.

"The words the nations (ta ethnē) should be translated “the Gentiles.” These are all people, other than Jews, who have lived through the Tribulation period (cf. Joe_3:2, Joe_3:12). They will be judged individually, not as national groups. They are described as a mingling of sheep and goats, which the Lord will separate." BKC

"The expression “these brothers” must refer to a third group that is neither sheep nor goats. The only possible group would be Jews, physical brothers of the Lord. In view of the distress in the Tribulation period, it is clear that any believing Jew will have a difficult time surviving (cf. Mat_24:15-21). The forces of the world dictator will be doing everything possible to exterminate all Jews (cf. Rev_12:17). A Gentile going out of his way to assist a Jew in the Tribulation will mean that Gentile has become a believer in Jesus Christ during the Tribulation. By such a stand and action, a believing Gentile will put his life in jeopardy. His works will not save him; but his works will reveal that he is redeemed."BKC

"In this parable, Jesus refers to the judgment of nations that will take place at the end of the Tribulation. According to Zec_14:4, when Jesus comes back to earth, the Mount of Olives will split in half the moment His feet touch down upon it. I found it interesting that contractors were denied a permit to build a hotel on the Mount of Olives because seismological studies indicated a major fault running through it. When Jesus comes, that fault will split the mountain in half, a great valley will open up, and a new stream will begin to flow from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean. Joel refers to this valley as the valley of decision (Joe_3:14) because those who survive the Tribulation will be brought there to stand before the Lord at the judgment of the nations. The sheep will be allowed to enter into the millennium. The goats will be sent away to destruction. Who are the sheep? "The ones who clothed Me; fed Me; and cared about Me," answers Jesus.

"When did we do that, Lord?" the sheep ask.
"When you did it to the least of My brethren—the Jews," Jesus answers.

You see, midway through the Tribulation, Antichrist's determination to destroy the Jews will come to light. All over the world, anti-Semitism will run rampant. At that time, however, many will refuse to take the mark of the beast and will help the Jews, even as some did in Nazi Germany. They will visit those in prison. They will hide those in need of protection. They will reach out to those who are hurting. They will go on record, saying, "We will not take the mark of the beast. We will stand with these persecuted people." Jesus said in so doing, they will demonstrate outwardly their faith in Him." -Jon Courson