Daily text, Friday, November 18 2016

[Queen Esther]

I do not know you.—Matt. 25:12.

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/dt/r1/lp-e/2016/11/18

In the parable of the ten virgins, was Jesus saying that many of his anointed servants would prove unfaithful and need to be replaced? (Matt. 25:1-13) No. Remember, he had just warned his “faithful and discreet slave” never to turn into an evil slave. (Matt. 24:45-51) That did not mean that he expected such an outcome. Similarly, this parable conveys a powerful warning. Just as five virgins were foolish and five were discreet, each anointed one has the full capacity to choose either a course of preparedness and vigilance or a course of folly and unfaithfulness. The apostle Paul was inspired to make a similar point when addressing his anointed fellow Christians. (Heb. 6:4-9; compare Deuteronomy 30:19.) Note that Paul’s warning was very firm, but he followed it up with a loving expression of his confidence that “better things” lay ahead of his Christian brothers and sisters. Christ knows that each of his anointed servants can remain faithful and receive the thrilling reward! w15 3/15 2:13