“DO BUSINESS TILL I COME”
“Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said: ‘A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ’Do business till I come.”
"But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ’We will not have this man to reign over us.’ And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
"Then came the first, saying, ’Master, your mina has earned ten minas.’ "And he said to him, ’Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ’Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ "Likewise he said to him, ’You also be over five cities.’
“Then another came, saying, ’Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.
"And he said to him, ’Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’
"And he said to those who stood by, ’Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ ("But they said to him, ’Master, he has ten minas.’) ’For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.
’But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me." Luke 19:11-27 (NKJV)
In this parable each servant was given one mina with which “to do business”. A mina was equivalent of about three month’s wages in that day.
This parable embodies, in symbolism, some of the greatest doctrines of the Bible. Let’s see the ways in which this is true.
I. THE SYMBOLISM EMBODIED IN THIS PARABLE
1.) The “Certain Nobleman” symbolized the Lord Jesus
2.) The "Far Country" to which the Nobleman went symbolized heaven.
3.) The "Servants" symbolized Christians
4.) "His Citizens" symbolized unbelievers
5.) The “Mina” represented the equal opportunity of life itself for a Christian.
God endows each of us with time, talents, opportunities and His Word. This is not to say that everyone is endowed quantitatively or qualitatively to the same extent. Obviously, some live longer lives than others. We possess differing levels of innate talent or ability and our mental acumen varies widely. The number and quality of opportunities that come to us differs.
What this does mean is that for the tasks God gives us to do, He will provide each of us with all that is necessary to do them. If faith the size of a grain of mustard seed is all that is needed to move the mountains in your life...then that is the size of the faith you will be given. Christians often pray for faith the size of a mountain before they will confront the “mustard seeds” in their life! Consider this lttle verse that is still very relative:
“To each is given a block of time...and a bag of tools;
...And the Word of God for a Book of Rules;
For each to build…in this life alone;
...A stumbling-block or a stepping stone.”
II. THE NOBLEMAN’S RETURN TO HIS COUNTRY SYMBOLIZED THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST: "having received the kingdom."
The length of time that the nobleman was away from his country is not stated or even suggested…and intentionally so. Jesus, Himself, declared:
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.
"It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming--in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning-- lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.” Mark 13:32-36 (NKJV).
Our Lord speaks of a kingdom that has been granted to Him…a kingdom that will be established on this earth immediately following His glorious return when He shall sit upon the throne of His father David. Concerning this He said:
"And you are those who have stood by Me in My trials; and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Luke 22:28-30.
IV. THE ACCOUNTING SYMBOLIZES THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST. (Literal translation: "bema" of Christ.)
"And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.” Luke 19:15 (NKJV)
The servants are called to account of their stewardship. This accounting symbolizes the judgment that born-again believers will face when our Lord returns to this earth. That judgment is referred to as “The Judgment Seat of Christ.” The “bema” of Christ!
The "bema" was a raised platform in the square at Corinth where Roman magistrates administered justice and rewarded those who were victorious in the athletic competition. We read of the “bema” of Christ in II Corinthians 5:10.
“For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
The Judgment Seat of Christ is where the Lord Jesus will reward His servants for the service they have rendered for Him and to His glory. It will NOT be a judgment for lost sinners. Only the redeemed will stand before this judgment. Those who have served the Lord faithfully will be given a reward (a crown) and those who have nothing to lay at His feet will be saved...yet so as through fire. Consider:
“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
"If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NKJV)
V. THE DESTRUCTION OF HIS ENEMIES SYMBOLIZES THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT.
“But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me." Luke 19:27 (NKJV)
This execution of the sentence of death to His enemies symbolizes “The Great White Throne Judgment”. All unbelievers…and only unbelievers will stand before this judgment. Only one sentence will be given out…ETERNAL DEATH! Consider:
“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15.
Many “professed Christians” will stand before this judgment. They will plead their innocence declaring the “great works” they had done in His name, citing miracles done in His name; demons cast out in His name; prophecies declared in His name. Some will probably speak proudly of their church membership and high office…but, in spite of their profession, they never knew Him…nor did He ever know them! But hear the words of Jesus:
"Not everyone who says to Me, ’Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ’Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ’I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” Matthew 7:21-23 (NKJV)
