Q:  Jesus referred to the “unprofitable servant.”  Doesn’t this mean that some people will be “unprofitable” to God?  Again, what did Jesus mean when He said the servant would be “thrown into outer darkness,” where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth”?

A: This parable (Matthew 25:14-30) is one of a number illustrating what the kingdom of heaven is like. I interpret it as picturing the man, as the Messiah, who could come at any time, and expected his servants, the leaders of Israel, to increase the value, the hopes of the children of Israel. The wicked and slothful (lazy) servant did nothing with those who he could influence for good, and he was “thrown into the outer darkness” where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

This phrase: “thrown into the outer darkness” to me is a picture of those who will not be apart of the kingdom of light, that the righteous Israelites will enjoy. These individuals will be so bitter and heartsick; they will be “weeping and gnashing their teeth.”

Since Jesus’ ministry was to His own people, Israel, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, there were “unprofitable” or “worthless” servants and leaders then, and will be even just prior to Christ’s coming again to the earth to establish His Kingdom.

This does not mean they are “worthless” forever. On the Great White Throne, Christ will judge all who have died; but not those who have been resurrected to life (see John 5:29) at the beginning of the millennium, or the Church, the Body of Christ who have already been resurrected and caught up to the heavenlies (I Corinthians 15:51-56). 

At this adjudication, God’s indignation, vengeance, etc, will be realized and repaid, with Christ, the Son of Man, as the judge. Then those whose names are not written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death. (Revelation 20).

Those, whose names are in the book of life, will be enjoy life on the New Earth along with all those alive at the end of the millennium. This is the last age (eon) in God’s great plan.

At the end of this last age, all enemies will have been subjugated to the Lord Jesus Christ, the last enemy being death, which will be destroyed, or done away with. Then all those still dead will be raised to life.  Then will come to pass what Paul wrote in Philippians 2:9-11, “Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (RSV)

And then, God will be All in all.