Which of these EndTimes Servants are you?

The scene is set. Jesus is talking with His Disciples about the rapture and His second coming. He talks at length with them about being ready, waiting and watching and staying awake.  He talks about rewards for those who are faithful. This is all found in Luke 12. Then He says in verse 40

 

Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

 

And Peter asks Him if the parable He is saying is specifically for them or for everyone. Jesus proceeds to tell the following story of the four servants. 

 

1. The Faithful Servant 

 

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season?
Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 

 

Notice the reward of being faithful! To bring this into our present time, this is a person who knows the Lord is coming back, sees the signs, watches with excitement but who also is busy doing what the Lord asks him to do. He is using the talents the Lord has given him to help save the lost. He is taking care of the Lord's business and the Lord's household while Jesus is gone.  This could be something as simple as being the best wife and mother or husband and father you can be, or giving to those in need as the Lord leads, or preaching to the lost on social media, or being a prayer warrior as the Holy Spirit directs.  We all aren't going to be evangelists, pastors, or Bible teachers. We all have various talents. Maybe yours is painting or quilting or creating things that glorify God when others see them. I get angry at some pastors who say we all have to be out there preaching the Gospel. Just do what the Lord leads you to do and He will be pleased!

 

2.  The Wicked Servant

 

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.  

 

This is a person who believes in Jesus, who professes to be a Christian, but who turns back to his or her sinful ways. returns to the world, and lives in sin like everyone else. He or she has no idea when the Lord will return, nor are they even thinking about it. Notice the result of this lifestyle. Jesus appoints that person with the unbelievers. In other words, this person is no longer saved. 

 

3. The Carnal Servant

 

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

 

This one actually gave me hope for some people!  This is a Christian who knows the Lord, knows His will, but chooses not to do anything for the Kingdom of God. Even so, he or she does not return to the world and live in willful sin.  The Lord says this person will be punished, but He does not say this person will lose their salvation. 

 

4. The Ignorant Servant

 

 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

 

This is a person who is saved but who is really clueless about what he or she is supposed to do to live a Godly life.  Maybe this is someone who is adverse to attending church, who doesn't read the Bible, or perhaps a new Christian who was never taught, never discipled in how to walk with Jesus.  In God's grace and mercy, this person is punished, but not nearly as much as the person who knew what he was supposed to do, but didn't. God is so good! 

 

Now, some of you may be saying, Wait a minute. Christians aren't judged for their sin when we get to heaven. The blood of Jesus covers all our sin and God remembers it no more. Absolutely!  But we are judged for our works.

 

For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works. Matthew 16:27

 

Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 1 Corinthians 3:8

 

Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 2 John 1:8 

 

Now the question becomes, since we are so close to that day, which of these servants make it in the rapture. Is the rapture itself an award? Is the Tribulation a punishment for those believers left behind? Based on what I've seen in Scripture, I believe this to be true, but I leave that up to you to ask the Lord yourself. Either way, this is not something you want to take lightly.  Here are 2 of my prior articles about this very topic.

 

Who Goes in the Rapture?

Only those who listen and obey will be my Bride 

 

Have a wonderful week!  I would be remiss in not mentioning that this weekend is the Feast of Trumpets, one of God's Holy appointments with man. Many believe the rapture may occur on this feast day. I wrote an article on that as well, if you're interested.  (Click on Feast of Trumpets in this paragraph)

 

Keep looking up!!