One Minute Before Midnight
Dan Rodgers
Matthew 25:1-13
February 10, 2008
ILLUS: Central New York has the distinction of being the first city in America to build a plank road. The Plank Road roughly followed the path that Native Americans had used to travel from Pennsylvania to the St. Lawrence River. They had called this footpath the Thousand Island Trail.1
The road was built in the year 1860, at the cost of $390,000. However, instead of "paying as you go," the city fathers felt it best to sell bonds for the project. They sold bonds for at seven percent interest. The plank road eventually rotted away, forcing the city to pave Central Avenue.
Today, years after the plank road has been forgotten, the City of New York is still paying seven percent interest on those bonds and it will continue to pay seven percent interest until the bonds are retired--in the year 2147!
By the time the last bond has been retired, that road will have cost the people of New York millions. Why? Because of procrastination.2
INTRODUCTION: Chapter 25 of the book of Matthew is a parable about a wedding. In (vs. 1), it says, "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom." The 10 virgins represent Israel at the end of the tribulation period; the Bridegroom represents the Lord Jesus, who has come for them. By the way, this is not to be confused with the rapture of the church and the consummation of marriage between Christ and His church. The rapture takes place before the tribulation.
We notice that five of the virgins were prepared and ready to meet the Lord; but the Bible says 5 were foolish and unprepared. At midnight, the Lord came--those who had not prepared were left behind.
Here, again, procrastination was a costly mistake.
I wonder how many people are living with the idea, I know there are some things I need to do--some things I need to change in my life, some things ...
Dan Rodgers
Matthew 25:1-13
February 10, 2008
ILLUS: Central New York has the distinction of being the first city in America to build a plank road. The Plank Road roughly followed the path that Native Americans had used to travel from Pennsylvania to the St. Lawrence River. They had called this footpath the Thousand Island Trail.1
The road was built in the year 1860, at the cost of $390,000. However, instead of "paying as you go," the city fathers felt it best to sell bonds for the project. They sold bonds for at seven percent interest. The plank road eventually rotted away, forcing the city to pave Central Avenue.
Today, years after the plank road has been forgotten, the City of New York is still paying seven percent interest on those bonds and it will continue to pay seven percent interest until the bonds are retired--in the year 2147!
By the time the last bond has been retired, that road will have cost the people of New York millions. Why? Because of procrastination.2
INTRODUCTION: Chapter 25 of the book of Matthew is a parable about a wedding. In (vs. 1), it says, "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom." The 10 virgins represent Israel at the end of the tribulation period; the Bridegroom represents the Lord Jesus, who has come for them. By the way, this is not to be confused with the rapture of the church and the consummation of marriage between Christ and His church. The rapture takes place before the tribulation.
We notice that five of the virgins were prepared and ready to meet the Lord; but the Bible says 5 were foolish and unprepared. At midnight, the Lord came--those who had not prepared were left behind.
Here, again, procrastination was a costly mistake.
I wonder how many people are living with the idea, I know there are some things I need to do--some things I need to change in my life, some things ...
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