All indicate that the end is near. Thoughtful men everywhere, whether Christians or not, feel that a crisis is imminent. Let us not sleep, as do oth- ers, but awake and await His coming. I Thess. 5:4-11.
3. The Signs Indicate that the Bay is near at hand. (a) Conditions of the Land (Pales- tine). Early and latter raips restored. (b.) Conditions of the people (Israel). Important to look up. (c) conditions of the world. (Polit- ically, socially, religiously.)
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON October 9th, 1910.
(b) Only one day. When evening came they settled up. The penny each received, no matter what hour he came, was not for service rendered, but condi- tions met. Went in. Salvation, eternal life, heaven, can not be purchased by toil, effort or service, they are the free gift of God— all of grace. He that be- lieveth, not he that worketh... The mom- ent a sinner believes, eternal life is his, whether it be the first hour or the last hour. The dying thief was as surely saved and as certain of heaven as the apostle Paul. 2. Rewards Distinct from Salvation. Matt. 25:14-30. (a) From the former parable the question naturally arises: Is there no difference in heaven? Yes. But: let us note that the man who comes at the eleventh hour, is as truly saved as the one who comes at the first. (b) Does Christian service bring us nothing? Yes; but it does not bring us heaven. Heaven and eternal life are not rewards for work done. But there is a reward for work done. While one's fidelity and service do not bring eternal life, it will enrich eternal life, just as it does this present life. Jesus said: " L a y up for yourselves treasures"— not in earth, but " i n heaven." Every service rendered shall have its reward. Mark 9:41, I Cor. 3:11-13. Crowns, thrones, scepters, etc., are all rewards superadded to salvation for service rendered. They are not thrown in with it. 3. Degrees of Reward. "Parable of the Pounds," Luke 19: 12-27. (a) Are all who serve to have the same reward? All will be rewarded ac-
"The Parable of the Talents." Matt. 25:14-30. J. R. PRATT.
I. Ii.
INTERPRETATION. EXPLANATION .
III. APPLICATION.
I. INTERPRETATION. For interpretation see last week's les- son. Today's lesson follows in the same discourse, simply adding another par- able revealing the conditions that will exist when the King comes to reckon with His subjects. II. EXPLANATION. The man traveling into a far country without doubt refers to Jesus, the Son of Man, who has gone into a far coun- try to receive a kingdom and will one day return and reckon with His serv- ants. Luke 19:12. (a) His coming will be sudden^like the lightning from heaven. (b) His coming will be unexpected —"like a thief in the night," " i n an hour that ye think no t ." - (c) His coming will be in authority to reckon with His servants as well as His enemies. In these Kingdom Parables Jesus has brought before His disciples three great truths, namely: 1. Salvation as a free gift. 2. The distinction between salvation and rewards. ' 3. The distinctions between rewards. 1. Salvation a Free Gift. Parable of the Vineyard. Matt. 20: 1-16. (a) A penny a day was the contract.
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