The Lord continues the eschatological discourse by warning us with two striking parables: the parable of the ten virgins and the parable of the talents. Both warn us to prepare for the end times and our judgment. Exactly when we will face these events is unknown to us. Are you prepared?

The disciples question the Lord about the end times in Matthew 24. He reveals many details about the near future and the Second Coming. This chapter also contains a passage often used to promote "the rapture," but is that interpretation correct or just wishful thinking?

After numerous attempts by the scribes and Pharisees to trap him and destroy him, the Lord finally unleashed a torrent of blistering attacks against the religious leaders of his time, exposing their corruption and hypocrisy with the most vivid descriptions.

Religious leaders in Jerusalem are determined to put Jesus to death, but they need a reason to report him to the Romans. A trap is set for him, followed by other questions and challenges, but Jesus responds brilliantly and stumps them with his own question.

This striking parable stands as a stark warning to ignoring the repeated invitations to attend a banquet offered by a king who represents God. The parable reverberates in Orthodoxy with many images and references, including entering the banquet without a wedding garment.

Some titles for the expected Messiah seem strange to us, such as "Everlasting Father" or "Angel of Great Council." But the Fathers of the Church understood their great significance and will explain them to us as we conclude this short series on the Messianic prophecies.

Continuing our study of Old Testament prophecies about the birth of Christ, we will see how the prophets clearly foretold not only the birth of a human Messiah, but something much more extraordinary: that the Messiah would also be God Himself.

In this special lesson, we will look at how the ancient Church interpreted Old Testament prophecies that foretold the birth of the Savior. How could anyone know that Jesus was the Messiah? The prophecies were key: they prepared the Jews by telling them what to look for.

The Lord cites a prophecy that was being fulfilled at that very moment: the Jewish leaders were rejecting their Messiah. The early Church remembered this important prophecy, but its significance was greater than mere fulfillment: It signified Christ's divinity as well.

The Lord's pointed criticism of the religious leaders of Israel continues. He enrages his opponents with another devastating critique in the form of a parable. He foretells his own death at their hands and that the "vineyard" entrusted to them will be given to others.