“The RoseBouquet”

Here’s yet another very instructive message from Jesus. It’s not really a parable, but a simile When the Son of Man, that’s Jesus, comes into His glory and sits on His throne, surrounded by angels, all the nations and peoples of the earth will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the sheep from the goats, just like a shepherd does. One kind to the left, and the other to the right.

These people will have no say in which side Jesus sends them to; He will decide that. Those He sees as sheep will go to the right, and those He sees as goats will go to the left.

Then Jesus will invite those on the right to (here His simile changes) enter into their inheritance in the kingdom of the Father, a place prepared for them since the foundation of the world. He explains why they have been chosen. They are the righteous because when He was in need, they fed Him, gave Him to drink, invited Him in as a stranger, clothed Him when needing clothes, looked after Him when sick, and visited Him when in prison. The righteous will be astonished and ask when they ever did these things for Him.

His reply; “whenever you did it for the least of My brothers.”

Those on the left will be sentenced into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. The charge against them is that they did not minister to Him when He was hungry, thirsty, a stranger, needing clothes, sick or in prison. They too will be astonished, sure that they did all these things for Him. Jesus will reply that if they did not do this for His brethren, they denied it to Him.

PRAYER: Lord, there is no mention of faith as a criteria here for entering Heaven. Is it truly wrapped up in how we treat the marginalized and needy in Your name? I do automatically reach out to help those whose needs are in my power to meet, but I confess I have not always seen them as representing You, dear Jesus. What if I’m ignoring some? I want to pay better attention to the needy people around me and which ones I can help - and do it for the love of You, dear Lord!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. Got sibling troubles? Do you and your sister fight like cats? Sometimes it’s two against three - never really fair, is it? Ruthe, in Ruthe’s Secret Roses has one jealous sister and one who adores her and is able to keep secrets very well. You’ll find that she understands your dilemma, as you watch her struggle for answers.

This is a longer story Jesus told; I hope you take time to read it first, as I don’t have space on one page to tell it and draw applications too. Note also, at that time a talent was a coin, a unit of money. Today we use that word, talent, as a gift or skill that is unique to an individual. But again, this helps us understand the story on two levels.

Basically, a rich man left on a journey but first entrusted his money to servants and expected them to do business on his behalf, and to increase or make profits for him. As his servants they were to see this as a job that they must fulfill. The master was not cruel or blandly indifferent to their abilities. He entrusted them with funds according to what he knew their abilities were.

I suspect Jesus’ listeners waited with baited breath because such responsibility sounded like a great job to them. If only they could be so fortunate.

Jesus doesn’t go into a long side-story about how they multiplied their talents (which makes it easier for us to apply this lesson to our own situations), except to say that the first and second servants did business and were able to double the funds entrusted to them.

I was about 13 when I heard a sermon on such a passage, probably this one. My reaction was; I had no talents or gifts - unless God would count my imagination. I offered it to Him willingly, if He found it acceptable. God accepted it. As I wrote a novel, planned lessons and outings for my Sunday School class, led a Pioneer Girls club (in London, ON), and taught many crafts, my skills and abilities increased and multiplied.

A decade later I heard such a sermon again. That’s when I realized my imagination had multiplied and become writing, teaching, leadership, administration, intercessory prayer and other skills.

PRAYER: Lord, I better look at the talents, assets and resources You have entrusted to me, to make sure I have not buried or hidden some talent, and am failing to bring You profit. Thank You!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. “God, give ME a Friend!” Is that your heart’s cry? If you feel friendless, you will be thrilled to meet Ruthe and her BEST Friend, whom she loves to share! Get the book; Ruthe’s Secret Roses.

The great truth in this parable seems to escape many in the churches today. There are those Christians who are convinced of the Rapture and who are sure they are ready to rise at a moment’s notice to meet the Lord in the air. This is when they will go to that seven-year long wedding feast of the Lamb and the Bride.

Those that go to meet Him are in fact, the Bride herself! There are many other passages that describe the true believers, who are saved and sanctified by the precious blood of Jesus, and so part of Christ’s Body, also known as the Church, of which He is Head.

There are those, of course, who believe on Jesus too, who know their names are on their local church membership list. But as Jesus describes, if they do not have oil in their lamps, that is, the Holy Spirit filling them, they will not be going with the first group to meet the Bridegroom, and get into Heaven for that wedding feast.

Jesus says plainly here, that they will bang on the doors of Heaven (figuratively), and cry out, “Open the door for us!” But He will say, “I don’t know you.”

I’ve known this story since I was a child, and have often wondered why both groups would be called virgins and represent the church if Jesus would say one day that He didn’t know half of them. A parable is more like a sketch than a photograph. If we look for precise matches in details we go astray. The ten virgins seem to be representing all who call themselves Christians. (Only Jesus knows for sure which ones are His, in fact). The point is that at the time of the Rapture everyone will know by the panicked people who will be desperate to get into Heaven for that wedding feast. Suddenly they will KNOW they were not really part of the Church.

PRAYER: Oh, Lord, I praise You that I can say I know You, and You know me, and that You have anointed me with Your Holy Spirit. Thus, my lamp has oil! And I know that I can have a fresh infilling whenever I ask You for it. You graciously grant me Your Spirit for power to love and obey You, and to share the gospel. Oh, that I might help some other virgins to get oil!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. If you are fed up with “reality” stories and shows, and would like to see someone in action who lives with integrity, and does good to everyone she meets, and solves problems by prayer and faith in God - then it is time you meet Ruthe in Ruthe’s Secret Roses

The faithful and wise servants that the Master has put in charge of other servants in the Church to give them their spiritual food at the right times, is suppose to be found faithful in that work when He, the Master returns. Jesus promises that Master will put that servant in charge of all his possessions on his return.

However, if that servant is wicked and persuades himself that his Master is a long way from coming, and begins to beat the fellow servants, and waste his time drinking with drunkards - that servant is in for a big surprise.

The Master is going to come unexpectedly, destroy that wicked servant, and send him to the same place as the hypocrites, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I don’t know about you, but I can plainly see that this is a parable of Jesus Himself as the Master, and of us as His servants. We are to be faithful in serving - that is teaching, helping, comforting our fellow servants. Our priority one activity should be sharing the gospel, and teaching those who believe to know and follow Christ better. If we do, we will receive more responsibility on His return.

If we do not do our prescribed duties, Jesus, our Master will come at a time we least expect Him, and will deal thoroughly with us for our failures. In plain words, then we end up in Hell.

This should motivate us to be more faithful and eager to obey Jesus, our Master. He has certainly laid out the consequences of both obedience and ignoring our duties.

PRAEYER: Dear Lord Jesus, help me to get a fresh grip on the work You want me to do here while we wait for Your return. I want to be faithful and passionate about doing Your will, for I know You will make it well worth my while when You return! I do believe You will also be swift and thorough with punishment and a spot in Hell if I don’t. You have every right to be so firm. You deserve my BEST at all times! Oh, that I might be found faithful and wise! Please!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. Wish You had One Loyal Friend?

The secret is to BE one first. Discover how by watching Ruthe in this book! (You could gain her BEST Friend too).

I confess, I’m confused at today’s reading in this passage. I always thought it referred to the Rapture of the Church, but in verse 36, Jesus says, “No one knows about THAT day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” THAT must refer to the verses just preceding this passage. Then the chapter is referring to the Second Coming of Christ and not the Rapture. If THAT refers only to the fig tree illustration in verses 32-35, then this is talking about the sign that all these end times are about to begin, because the fig tree portrays that start of a season.

There is a description of people working side by side, and one will be taken (as a ready Believer) and removed, while the other person is left behind, in keeping with the Rapture in I Thessalonians.

It is reiterated that this event will sneak up without being announced because no one but God knows when this will happen. We are, Jesus says, to be alert and ready and waiting for it.

Life is going to continue as we know it until that time, just as in Noah’s day, people continued on their own way until God brought people into the ark, and shut the door. This illustration is a major confirmation that the Rapture will remove those God wants to preserve out of the Tribulation, just as He lifted Noah and his family above the waters that flooded the whole earth back then.

Ah, as I study and re-read this passage a few times I find myself convinced all over again a, that there will be two separate events, a Rapture of believers just prior to the Tribulation lasting seven years, and at the end, the Second Coming of Christ when everyone left on the earth will see Jesus arriving on a cloud!

PRAYER: Oh dear Lord Jesus, to us who believe right now, You are our loving Shepherd and Husband, who cares for us and provides for us. Those who will see You when You return as King Jesus, will see a different side of You. They will finally be in awe of You and fall down in fear and worship! Thank You for bringing me into the Church, which is Your beloved Bride! Help me to be alert and ready and watching for You!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. Are you an older sister? The one who is always expected to look after the younger kids? Well, here’s a book where the older sisters shine! Not just Ruthe, the heroine, but a lot of her friends are too. You ought to have a look at the sample chapters.

Read these verses over a few times. It is Jesus Himself describing when and how He is coming again to the earth. He will come at a time great distress on the earth, even the sun, moon and stars will go dark and shaken from their positions in the universe.

When Jesus, the Son of Man, and God, appears in the sky, all the nations of the earth will mourn and be sad. (Why? Because they know judgment is coming).

What will Jesus’ appearing look like? Everyone will see Him coming on the clouds from the sky with great power and glory.

He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, from one end of the earth and Heavens to the other to gather up His elect - that’s those who have elected to trust Him for salvation.

Jesus explained that just as you know summer is very near when you see green leaves bud and come out on a tree, just so, once you see these signs of His second coming, you will know that His coming is very, VERY close! “I tell you the truth,” He says, “This generation (the one alive when that starts to happen) will not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth might pass away, but My words will never pass away.”

What does this mean we should do now?

If we have already accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour from sin, and our sanctifier so we can live holy lives, I think we need only to rejoice in this promise, and to share it with others.

PRAYER: Oh Lord Jesus, I am glad that I won’t have to stay around for that Tribulation period - You will come for Your Church before that and steal us away! But I’m also glad that You will have mercy on those left, and give them a chance to believe and be saved even in the midst of terrible times. One day all the nations of the earth will see You, and the unbelievers will hang their heads in shame! The Victor will vindicate all of us at once! Hallelujah! I worship You, O King Jesus!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. Need a Friend? You’ll soon think of Ruthe as your friend, when you read Ruthe’s Secret Roses

This is the end of the Study in Matthew, which seemed to me to be all about the Kingdom of Jesus. He taught the people about the Kingdom of God through His stories, and these carry lessons for us too, as we invite Jesus to be part of our lives, and reign in our hearts as King. I hope that it is your desire to always have Him reign in your life too! May He bless you with His peace.

As I mentioned last Friday, I do have other studies in various books and topics in the Bible, but they are not edited for sharing yet. When my season of transition and move to the city is complete, I’ll buckle down and prepare another one.

A time will come (and is already here to some degree), when people will say, “Christ is out in the desert; let’s go meet him there!” Or, “No, he’s in these certain inner, private rooms; you have to have passwords or guides to take you to him.” Jesus warned the disciples - and us now - not to go out looking for those “antichrists.” They are not the real Christ. How will anybody know which is the real Christ then?

Jesus explains that when He returns it will be as suddenly as a flash of lightening across the sky, and will be visible to all the world. There will be no doubt it is Him!

We can set it before us as a general rule that any “christ” that has to hide and have followers persuade others to come to his hiding place, is NOT the true Christ Jesus, the Son of God. Unfortunately, there will be many who will be led astray. They will be duped and unscrupulous people will take advantage of them. Even, I’m afraid some who think of themselves as Christians, if they have not studied the Bible and are not familiar with passages such as this one in Matthew.

We who know and study the Bible must share and spread the truth, so that at least some will be kept from falling for that foolish nonsense.

Jesus added, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vulture will gather.” I suspect He meant that figuratively as well as literally. There are always vultures where there are gullible souls.

PRAYER: Oh Lord Jesus, I’m glad I know and talk with You even at this time when You are still invisible to our eyes. I do believe that I shall rise up in the rapture to meet with You in the air before that great Tribulation period. I also believe that You are coming again to this earth to reign here. You will be like lightening, visible to all at once, and You will bring Your Bride, the Raptured Church, with You to reign here on earth for a 1000 years. No evil will be allowed! Peace will be everywhere, and the earth will become productive as all creatures obey only You.

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. What would it look and feel like to be a young woman who calls upon God in every crisis and always seems to get answers? You can vicariously experience this through the novel, Ruthe’s Secret Roses. .

Jesus continues His warnings concerning the end times. A major event will be the abomination foretold in Daniel. This is a time when a wicked ruler (Satan inspired), will abolish the daily sacrifice in the temple, and set up worship to himself in the holy place instead. When these things start to happen, Jesus says it is best to flee to secret hiding places in the desert. Don’t even stop to pack - hurry.

In fact, He adds, pray that that it won’t happen when you’re pregnant, or nursing, or anything that will slow you down. Get out with all speed!

Jesus said never will have been as much stress and frightening difficulties as will happen at that time. So much destruction will be havocked and lives killed that if God won’t step in, which He will, then everyone will be killed off the face of the earth.

If false prophets arise, who call out, “Here is Christ!” or “He’s out in such and such a place,” do not believe them. Don’t follow them, even if they do signs and miracles. It is all meant to deceive you.

Jesus has warned us for a reason. So we won’t be misled. I am grateful for this serious warning. Personally, I believe that the Lord Jesus will rapture those of us who are part of His Holy Church, just at the beginning of that terrible Tribulation time, but there are many others who will be left behind. They need this warning too.

On the other hand, we have degrees of torment and the call of false prophets today too. Some of them seem so very Christian, so plausible. We also need to be on guard, and believe only God and His Word. We need to discern and reject when we hear lies, even if these preachers and writers of books guarantee that they are true prophets of the end times.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord Jesus, for this warning. We need to be very careful what we accept as Your truth. Help me to study Your Word, and know it well, so that when I hear counterfeits, I can tell, and avoid falling for their counsel.

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S.Watching your friend die is HARD, isn’t it? Ruthe handles it fairly well for her first time. You should read this book - you could learn from her.

As Jesus and His disciples were walking away from the temple, they pointed out to Him the beautiful architectural features of the temple with some pride. Jesus assured them that not one stone would be left on top of another. This would all be destroyed.

When they arrived back at their quiet haunt, the Mount of Olives, the disciples ask Jesus privately to explain what He had said about the temple’s future.

So Jesus began to prophecy of what was to come. He warned them of the signs of the end of this age.
1. there would be many pretending to be Christ,
2. there would be wars and rumours of wars,
3. nations would rise up against nations,
4. famines and earthquakes in various places.

All these, He said, would be like the beginning of birth pangs, however they should not despair. Even though His followers would be persecuted and martyred, and they would be hated in many nations, and many believers would turn away from Him because of increased wickedness - the gospel still has to be preached to all nations. Then the end will come.

In recent years I’ve read and studied more on these signs of the end of this stage of earth’s history, so these verses do not strike fear into my heart any more. Now I see Jesus’ encouragement in all this, and take comfort in His knowledge and love for us despite the worst that can come. If Jesus is not worried, why should we be?

As very God Himself, Jesus knows what the enemy will do, but also, how He will use their attacks against them, and how He will destroy all our enemies in the end.

PRAYER: I’m so glad, Lord Jesus, You know the future and it holds nothing that unsettles You. Thank You too, for warning us. We need some indication that You know and see our crises; it doesn’t mean You have failed and deserted us. Help us to be strong and to trust and love You, no matter what. You’ll triumph at last!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. So much fiction nowadays focuses on ‘reality’ - the ugliness of life, the raw pain. Ruthe’s Secret Roses is different in that it focuses on what life should be and can be like if someone has a lively relationship with God. True, there is a lot of suffering in this world, and the book doesn’t hide from that reality, but shows how one young woman deals with it in victory. Wouldn’t you like to see how she does it? Read about the book here

This is a strong, prophetic message addressed to the crowds and His disciples about the sins of their leaders. This chapter has a tone of righteous anger - such as I believe God has toward these sins;

1. Their teachers and Pharisees had Moses’ official position, but they did not do what they preached. They gave burdensome instructions, loved attention, and wanted to be honoured.

2. The teachers and Pharisees did not enter God’s kingdom themselves, and wouldn’t let others who wanted to come in.

3. They traveled and worked hard to win a convert, and then turned him into a twice-as-bad son of hell.

4. Blind guides! They fussed about the more effective oaths in the temple, ignoring what made those things holy in the first place.

5. They tithed their minute spices, and neglected the weightier issues of justice, mercy and faithfulness.

6. They fussed about table cleanliness but inside were spiritually full of greed and self-indulgence.

7. They were dressed beautifully like whitewashed tombs, but spiritually inside, they were full of dead bones and rot.

8.They honoured the dead prophets but said they would never have made the same mistakes as their fathers who killed them, proving they were their father’s descendants.

Jesus cried out in love to Jerusalem, and would have gathered them as a hen her chicks, but they were unwilling. He said their House would become desolate and they wouldn’t see Him again until they could say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.”

PRAYER: Oh Lord, may You find my heart tender and willing to humbly learn from these, to avoid the wrong and to do the right. I want to please and obey You!

+++++Jesus is my King+++++Jesus is my King+++++

Blessings on you Today!
Ruth Marlene Friesen

P.S. I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses, and the voice I hear, falling on my ear…. Ruthe’s Secret Roses, my novel, illustrates that dear song!