The Parable of the Three Servants
Lyn Mize
The second aspect
of the Second Coming takes place in the middle
of the tribulation period. It is the time
of the Main
Harvest Rapture of all of those
Christians who were left behind at the
Firstfruits Rapture or the Separation. It
is the time that Satan is cast out of the first
heaven and into the earth. He takes up his
abode in the Antichrist, and he goes and sits in
the temple and claims to be God. Since the
entire Church is now gone, Antichrist will begin
his persecution of the Jews who are still upon
the earth. This terrible time for the Jews
is called the time of Jacob's trouble. All
of these events are described elsewhere in
Scripture, but since we are still in the Church
section of the Olivet Discourse, the following
verses describe the Church during the first half
of the tribulation period right up to the Main
Harvest Rapture and the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The three servants typify the three Churches of Thyatira, Sardis, and Laodicea who were left behind at the Separation. They also represent the five foolish virgins who were rejected from going through the open door. They were not accounted worthy to enter into the marriage.
(Mat 25:14 KJV) For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
The underlined insert by the translators does not clarify this passage as they intended. It obscures the true meaning of the verse. Therefore, it should be removed in order to determine the correct meaning of the verse. Therefore, the passage literally reads:
(Mat 25:14 LMV) For as a man traveling into a far country called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
The man is Jesus Christ, and traveling into a far country means going abroad or into another realm. His own servants mean that they belong to him already, or they are already saved. Delivered means that He completely turned over all of His wealth (earthly) to these servants. The "For" refers back to an antecedent, which is the parable of the virgins. Since the parable of the virgins described the Separation, this parable continues the explanation. A paraphrase would be "For the separation is as a man traveling into another realm, and he called his own servants and delivered all of His wealth into their hands to be used by them on behalf of the Master." Thus, the aftermath of the Separation is described in the following verses in perfect sequence.
(Mat 25:15 KJV) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
The wealth was distributed according to the servants own ability. At the separation, the Christians who have been left behind will be subject to Antichrist, and the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit will have been removed. The Christians left will prosper or fall according to their own abilities without the intervention of the Holy Spirit.
It is important to note that there are three servants. This is in accord with the three churches left behind, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego going through the furnace of fire, and the three types of seed that did not bear fruit in the current age. Other typical passages of Scripture confirm that it will be a time of the famine of the Word of God. There will be enough to sustain the servants, but it will not be the quality that we have now with the Holy Spirit as our teacher.
(Mat 25:16 KJV) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Christians will work according to their own ability, and we will see later that reward will be proportional to what the servant did in relation to his abilities. This servant doubled the wealth of the master. Please note that this is in contrast to the parables of the kingdom where the servants bore fruit 100-60-30 fold.
(Mat 25:17 KJV) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
This servant also doubled that portion of the Masterís wealth for which he had responsibility. The word for gain means the profit that comes in escaping from evil.
(Mat 25:18 KJV) But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord's money.
This verse means the individual burrowed into the ground and hid or kept secret that he had any of the Lord's wealth. This is the Christian in the tribulation period who hides away and keeps it a secret that he is a Christian. This establishes that those Christians who are left behind should continue or actually embark upon doing the Lord's work, even if it means severe persecution or even death.
(Mat 25:19 KJV) After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
We know from Daniel 7:25 that the length of this period is about 42 months. It will seem like an eternity to the Christians who are going through the tribulation under Antichrist. Also, 42 months is a very long time for an individual to stay on a journey abroad. It is a very long time from the Christian's perspective, especially while in tribulation.
This coming is in the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church, and the reckoning is the Judgment Seat of Christ. The use of the phrase "those servants" shows that these are not all of the Lord's servants, for He has already reckoned with the faithful and wise servants.
(Mat 25:20 KJV) And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
The servant is giving an account of his life during the time of the Lord's absence. This time is during the first half of the tribulation period. It is important to note that the Lord is not absent from us currently, since He is with us via the Holy Spirit.
(Mat 25:21 KJV) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things (i.e., a short time), I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
The Lord commends him as a "good and faithful servant" and tells him that he has been faithful over a short time. The word for "few things" means a short time. Thus, it says "Thou has been faithful a short time." This perspective is from God rather than man so it is a short time. Remember that from the servant's perspective, it was a long time.
It is important to note that this "good and faithful servant" is in strong contrast to the "faithful and wise servant" who went out in the Separation. The "faithful and wise" servant was made ruler over "all things." This servant is made ruler over "many things."
This servant is the most faithful servant during the tribulation period, and he does not attain to the highest level or position in the kingdom, but he does attain to a position in the kingdom.
(Mat 25:22 KJV) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
The second servant gives his accounting for his work during the tribulation period, and he also doubled His Master's goods.
(Mat 25:23 KJV) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
This servant is also called "good and faithful" and he also has been faithful over a short period of time. He is made ruler over "many things" also. Entering into the joy of the Lord shows entrance into the kingdom, although into a lesser position than the 24 elders and the Four Living Creatures as described in Revelation.
(Mat 25:24 KJV) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed:
This verse confirms very strongly that this servant was in the tribulation period. He calls the master a harsh man. He is resentful of being cast into the tribulation period. He takes no responsibility for being cast there because of his unfaithfulness during the present time. This shows that he has not repented as the other two servants. In addition, he states that the Master reaps where He has not sown. All seed sown during the current age were sown by the Master, but the seed sown (i.e., those saved during the tribulation) will take place in the Master's absence. The "gathering where thou hast not strowed" refers to the gathered grain that has been separated during the threshing and winnowing process. This will take place during the tribulation period, and it is Antichrist who will be wielding the tribulum and the winnowing fork. It is strange that Antichrist will actually be working for the Lord, but he will do it unknowingly. We need to remember the type of Boaz on the threshing floor. He was asleep during the night of threshing and winnowing, and Ruth (i.e., the faithful and wise servants) was protected under his cloak during this time.
(Mat 25:25 KJV) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
The servant admits that he was afraid and hid the fact that he was a Christian. He still has the Master's goods that have been entrusted to him, but he has not gained any profit. He has still not produced any fruit through the use of his Master's wealth.
(Mat 25:26 KJV) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed:
The unfaithful servant is sternly rebuked for his continued unfaithfulness during the tribulation period. He is called evil and lazy.
(Mat 25:27 KJV) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
The exchangers are those two servants who did work using the Lord's talents to help the Lord realize a profit. This wicked and slothful servant could have at least allowed his talent to be used by these two servants, even if he did not use them himself. If he had merely assisted the other two servants with his talent, then the Lord would have realized a small profit, even though it may not have been doubled as with the first two servants.
The wicked servant had not repented as the other two servants and he hid the fact that he was a Christian. Consequently, he did not work for the Lord, and he did not assist the other two servants in their work. He must suffer the consequences, which is the loss of his inheritance. He will not enter the kingdom.
(Mat 25:28 KJV) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
The evil servant's inheritance is taken from him and given to the one who was faithful.
(Mat 25:29 KJV) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Everyone in the tribulation who has used the talents the Lord has given them will be given even more responsibility, but those who did not use their talents in the Lord's work will lose their inheritance in the Lord's kingdom.
(Mat 25:30 KJV) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The unfaithful servant is cast into outer darkness, which is in a position outside of the kingdom. Outer darkness is not hell. Outer darkness is an idiom for a person who receives the displeasure of the Lord and is not honored with a position in the kingdom.
The three servants typify the three Churches of Thyatira, Sardis, and Laodicea who were left behind at the Separation. They also represent the five foolish virgins who were rejected from going through the open door. They were not accounted worthy to enter into the marriage.
(Mat 25:14 KJV) For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
The underlined insert by the translators does not clarify this passage as they intended. It obscures the true meaning of the verse. Therefore, it should be removed in order to determine the correct meaning of the verse. Therefore, the passage literally reads:
(Mat 25:14 LMV) For as a man traveling into a far country called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.
The man is Jesus Christ, and traveling into a far country means going abroad or into another realm. His own servants mean that they belong to him already, or they are already saved. Delivered means that He completely turned over all of His wealth (earthly) to these servants. The "For" refers back to an antecedent, which is the parable of the virgins. Since the parable of the virgins described the Separation, this parable continues the explanation. A paraphrase would be "For the separation is as a man traveling into another realm, and he called his own servants and delivered all of His wealth into their hands to be used by them on behalf of the Master." Thus, the aftermath of the Separation is described in the following verses in perfect sequence.
(Mat 25:15 KJV) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.
The wealth was distributed according to the servants own ability. At the separation, the Christians who have been left behind will be subject to Antichrist, and the restraining influence of the Holy Spirit will have been removed. The Christians left will prosper or fall according to their own abilities without the intervention of the Holy Spirit.
It is important to note that there are three servants. This is in accord with the three churches left behind, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego going through the furnace of fire, and the three types of seed that did not bear fruit in the current age. Other typical passages of Scripture confirm that it will be a time of the famine of the Word of God. There will be enough to sustain the servants, but it will not be the quality that we have now with the Holy Spirit as our teacher.
(Mat 25:16 KJV) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.
Christians will work according to their own ability, and we will see later that reward will be proportional to what the servant did in relation to his abilities. This servant doubled the wealth of the master. Please note that this is in contrast to the parables of the kingdom where the servants bore fruit 100-60-30 fold.
(Mat 25:17 KJV) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.
This servant also doubled that portion of the Masterís wealth for which he had responsibility. The word for gain means the profit that comes in escaping from evil.
(Mat 25:18 KJV) But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord's money.
This verse means the individual burrowed into the ground and hid or kept secret that he had any of the Lord's wealth. This is the Christian in the tribulation period who hides away and keeps it a secret that he is a Christian. This establishes that those Christians who are left behind should continue or actually embark upon doing the Lord's work, even if it means severe persecution or even death.
(Mat 25:19 KJV) After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.
We know from Daniel 7:25 that the length of this period is about 42 months. It will seem like an eternity to the Christians who are going through the tribulation under Antichrist. Also, 42 months is a very long time for an individual to stay on a journey abroad. It is a very long time from the Christian's perspective, especially while in tribulation.
This coming is in the Main Harvest Rapture of the Church, and the reckoning is the Judgment Seat of Christ. The use of the phrase "those servants" shows that these are not all of the Lord's servants, for He has already reckoned with the faithful and wise servants.
(Mat 25:20 KJV) And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
The servant is giving an account of his life during the time of the Lord's absence. This time is during the first half of the tribulation period. It is important to note that the Lord is not absent from us currently, since He is with us via the Holy Spirit.
(Mat 25:21 KJV) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things (i.e., a short time), I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
The Lord commends him as a "good and faithful servant" and tells him that he has been faithful over a short time. The word for "few things" means a short time. Thus, it says "Thou has been faithful a short time." This perspective is from God rather than man so it is a short time. Remember that from the servant's perspective, it was a long time.
It is important to note that this "good and faithful servant" is in strong contrast to the "faithful and wise servant" who went out in the Separation. The "faithful and wise" servant was made ruler over "all things." This servant is made ruler over "many things."
This servant is the most faithful servant during the tribulation period, and he does not attain to the highest level or position in the kingdom, but he does attain to a position in the kingdom.
(Mat 25:22 KJV) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.
The second servant gives his accounting for his work during the tribulation period, and he also doubled His Master's goods.
(Mat 25:23 KJV) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
This servant is also called "good and faithful" and he also has been faithful over a short period of time. He is made ruler over "many things" also. Entering into the joy of the Lord shows entrance into the kingdom, although into a lesser position than the 24 elders and the Four Living Creatures as described in Revelation.
(Mat 25:24 KJV) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed:
This verse confirms very strongly that this servant was in the tribulation period. He calls the master a harsh man. He is resentful of being cast into the tribulation period. He takes no responsibility for being cast there because of his unfaithfulness during the present time. This shows that he has not repented as the other two servants. In addition, he states that the Master reaps where He has not sown. All seed sown during the current age were sown by the Master, but the seed sown (i.e., those saved during the tribulation) will take place in the Master's absence. The "gathering where thou hast not strowed" refers to the gathered grain that has been separated during the threshing and winnowing process. This will take place during the tribulation period, and it is Antichrist who will be wielding the tribulum and the winnowing fork. It is strange that Antichrist will actually be working for the Lord, but he will do it unknowingly. We need to remember the type of Boaz on the threshing floor. He was asleep during the night of threshing and winnowing, and Ruth (i.e., the faithful and wise servants) was protected under his cloak during this time.
(Mat 25:25 KJV) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.
The servant admits that he was afraid and hid the fact that he was a Christian. He still has the Master's goods that have been entrusted to him, but he has not gained any profit. He has still not produced any fruit through the use of his Master's wealth.
(Mat 25:26 KJV) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed:
The unfaithful servant is sternly rebuked for his continued unfaithfulness during the tribulation period. He is called evil and lazy.
(Mat 25:27 KJV) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.
The exchangers are those two servants who did work using the Lord's talents to help the Lord realize a profit. This wicked and slothful servant could have at least allowed his talent to be used by these two servants, even if he did not use them himself. If he had merely assisted the other two servants with his talent, then the Lord would have realized a small profit, even though it may not have been doubled as with the first two servants.
The wicked servant had not repented as the other two servants and he hid the fact that he was a Christian. Consequently, he did not work for the Lord, and he did not assist the other two servants in their work. He must suffer the consequences, which is the loss of his inheritance. He will not enter the kingdom.
(Mat 25:28 KJV) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.
The evil servant's inheritance is taken from him and given to the one who was faithful.
(Mat 25:29 KJV) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.
Everyone in the tribulation who has used the talents the Lord has given them will be given even more responsibility, but those who did not use their talents in the Lord's work will lose their inheritance in the Lord's kingdom.
(Mat 25:30 KJV) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The unfaithful servant is cast into outer darkness, which is in a position outside of the kingdom. Outer darkness is not hell. Outer darkness is an idiom for a person who receives the displeasure of the Lord and is not honored with a position in the kingdom.