Second Coming - How Will We Be Judged?

Matthew 24 tells of Jesus' explanation about the Second Coming. Matthew likely includes this detailed account to help answer the question, "If this is the Savior, why wasn't his coming as spectacular as we expected?" Matthew shares Jesus' message about the sign of His Second Coming in Matthew 24; this coming will be incredibly spectacular, and surely the world is becoming more and more technologically spectacular each day.

At the end of Matthew 24 and in Matthew 25, Jesus explains who will be prepared for his second coming. He essentially tells 4 stories.

1) His coming will be as a thief in the night, very unexpectedly. The good servant will continue doing good. The evil servant will:

48 But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord^adelayeth his coming;

49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;

He will be mean to those around him and hang out with those wasting their time; doing nothing positive (the drunken).

2) Some will not be prepared (parable of the 10 virgins)

3) Some will take the investment God's made in them and double it, others will do nothing. (parable of the talents)

4) Some will bless the lives of others, and Jesus will consider that those actions were done to him. Others will ignore those in physical, emotional, or spiritual need. (parable of the sheep and the goats)

It appears clearer to me than ever before that it is not enough to live an okay life in which you don't hurt others but don't really help them. We must live a life looking after those around them and helping them get through difficulties in life. It is not okay to be idle, and it's not okay to be mean to others. We must lift others and do positive works.

Occasionally I've spoken with people who say, "I'm living a good life. I don't hurt anyone." I've also heard someone who supposedly wants to get back into good standing in the church say, "I don't commit any sins of commission, only sins of omission." It's very clear to me, that not doing something or doing wrong things in the end will cause someone to be out of the kingdom of heaven, not living with God or the Savior. Therefore, the end result isn't significantly different. Living a good life and blessing others is critical and is a major way we'll be judged.

Do not bury thy talent

It's long, but I'm posting the parable of the talents from Matthew 25 at the bottom of this post.

A few months ago I was talking to our friend Emily about this parable and said that usually when we talk about talents that we might bury, it's in the context of "abilities we're given by God." I don't think God cares if decide not to play the piano in front of people or sing in the ward choir if we have that ability, which is one common way I've heard this discussed. I do think he gets upset if we don't bring up the gospel and help people come to church, and that's something that it's very common for us to "hide". She thought that made some sense.

Well, if only I knew the scriptures better because the Lord says in D.C. 60 that he definitely was referring to sharing the gospel when discussing "talents".

1Behold, thus saith the Lord unto the elders of his church, who are to return speedily to the land from whence they came: Behold, it pleaseth me, that you have come up hither;

2But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their^amouths, but they hide the ^btalent which I have given unto them, because of the ^cfear of man. Wo unto such, for mine ^danger is^ekindled against them.

3And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be ^ataken away, even that which they have.

13Behold, they have been sent to preach my gospel among the congregations of the wicked; wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, thus: Thou shalt not ^aidle away thy time, neither shalt thou bury thy ^btalent that it may not be known.

Doesn't it make sense that God would be most upset if we didn't share the gift of the gospel that he's given to us. Missionary work is not a program or something we should get around to if we have time, it's a critical piece of life for those with the gospel. We don't quite understand this as a church, and I don't do nearly enough of this as an individual.

Have a great day!

Matthew 25:

14¶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.

15And unto one he ^agave five ^btalents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

18But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money.

19After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and^areckoneth with them.

20And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou ^adeliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

21His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful^aservant: thou hast been ^bfaithful over a few things, I will make thee ^cruler over many things: enter thou into the ^djoy of thy lord.

22He 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.

23His lord said unto him, Well done, good and ^afaithful 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.

24Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an ^ahard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

25And I was ^aafraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo,there thou hast that is thine.

26His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and ^aslothfulservant, thou knewest that I ^breap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

27Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with ^ausury.

28Take therefore the ^atalent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

29For unto every one that hath shall be ^agiven, and he shall have^babundance: but from him that hath not shall be ^ctaken away even that which he hath.

30And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.