Will You "Keep on the Watch"?

REWARD FOR THE DISCREET AND PUNISHMENT FOR THE FOOLISH

Near the end of the parable, the foolish virgins ask the discreet virgins to give them oil for their lamps. But the discreet virgins refuse to help.  (Read Matthew 25:8, 9) But when have faithful anointed Christians ever refused to help someone in  need?  Remember  the time period that the parable applies to. Jesus, the Bridegroom, comes to judge near the end of the great tribulation. So it is likely that the conversation  refers to what happens just before the end of the great tribulation. Why do we say so? Because by that time, the anointed will have received their final sealing. 

So, then, before the great tribulation starts, all the faithful anointed  one earth will have received their final sealing.  (Revelation 7:1-4) From then on, it is certain that they will go to heaven.  But think about the years before the great tribulation. What would happen to anointed ones who did not keep on the watch and become unfaithful?  They would not receive a final sealing. By that time, other faithful Christians would be anointed. Once the tribulation begins, the foolish ones may be shocked to see Babylon the Great destroyed. It may only be then that they realize they are not ready for Jesus' arrival. At that time, what would happen if they asked for help?  The answer is in the parable.  The discreet virgins refused to give their oil to the foolish virgins and instead told  them to go and buy oil.  Since it was "in the middle of the night," there was no one to sell oil to them. It was too late!

During the great tribulation, faithful anointed ones cannot help anyone who became unfaithful. It will be too late. So, what will happen to the unfaithful?  Notice what happened to the foolish virgins who went off to buy oil.  "The bridegroom came.  The virgins who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut."  When Jesus comes in his glory near the end of the great tribulation, he will gather the faithful anointed ones to heaven. (Matthew 24:31; 25:10; John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:17) However, Jesus will reject the unfaithful ones. Like the foolish virgins, they may say:  "Sir, Sir, open to us!" But how will Jesus respond? Sadly, he will give them the same answer that he will give to the many goat like ones:  "I tell you the truth, I do not know you." -Matthew 7:21-23; 25:11, 12. 

 Was Jesus saying that many of the anointed will become unfaithful and need to be replaced?  No. In Matthew  chapter 24, we read that Jesus warned the faithful and discreet slave not to turn into an evil slave. This did not mean that he expected to see what happen. Similarly, the parable of the ten virgins were foolish and five  were discreet, each anointed Christian must choose to be prepared and watchful.  Otherwise, he or she could become foolish and unfaithful . Paul gave a similar warning  to his anointed brothers ans sisters.  (Read Hebrews 6:4-9; compare Deuteronomy 30:19) His warning was direct, but he also had confidence that his brothers and sisters would receive their reward. The ten virgins reveals that Jesus had similar confidence in the anointed.  He knows  that each of his anointed  servants can remain faithful and receive the wonderful reward!

Next time: Will You "Keep on the Watch"? - HOW CAN CHRIST'S "OTHER SHEEP" BENEFIT?

From the Watchtower magazine, 2015