Yesterday, I promised a teaching I heard from Mike Bickle on Matthew 25 and the "End Times" at the Call in Las Vegas almost two weeks ago. Here's the first part of it:

I. The context of the Parables in Matthew 25

In Mt. 24-25, Jesus gave His primary teaching on the End-Times just before going to the cross, and it's important to understand the context of these parables. The Second Coming will come after the tribulation.

These are "leadership parables," meaning that these are parables about being leaders in the Church or having a ministry. There should be no chapter break between 24 and 25 - these two parables should always be studied together.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light… Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven… He will send His angels with… and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31)

There are more than 100 chapters on the End Times in the Bible, and this is referring to "World Dominion. In Mt. 24:37-41, Jesus prophesied of the great death toll that will occur in the generation in which He returns (Rev. 6:8; 9:15). The word "taken" does not refer to being caught up with him in the sky; they will be struck dead in some way. Those "taken" in Noah's day were "taken in death." Here's the context:

As the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking… until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. (Mt. 24:37-41)

This is not talking about the rapture! This is the judgment of God - which is the release of His ultimate love for humankind. He loves us too much to allow anything to separate us from Him, and He must judge everything and anything that does separate us.

Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. They said, "Where, Lord?" He said, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered." (Lk. 17:36-37) Eagles or Vultures gather around dead carcasses.

Jesus' primary emphasis in Mt. 24-25, as well as His pastoral advice in light of the coming unprecedented death toll, was to watch or to develop a deep inner life in connection with the Holy Spirit (Mk. 13:32-37). This seems impractical to many; however, if we do this, then we will receive instruction, strength and supernatural courage to face everything else.

Watch therefore, (connected to the Holy Spirit) for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house (place of inheritance) to be broken into. (Mt. 24:42-43)