We learn something about the end of the earth in Matt 24 that we don’t hear in Mark or Luke.
Matthew tells us that it will happen in the same way Noah’s flood did. We know that when it began to rain in Noah’s day, the people wised up and went to get on the Ark. They realized they had made a mistake and wanted to change their mind. But it was too late, because God had already closed the door. One of the things we learn from scripture is that “the door opens once”. Another truth is that “you must be ready when the door opens”. Both of these are true for Noah, and they are true in the Parable of the 10 virgins….which just happens to be the next chapter in Matthew. That makes sense…Jesus is talking about end times, and he wants to underscore that you must be ready when the door opens, because it only opens once.
So sudden will the second coming be, that two will be working in a field and one will go with Jesus and the other will not. There is no time to get ready later. Not even a 15 second window in which to utter “Lord, forgive me…I want to go heaven”. Jesus himself says in vs. 42 & 44 “keep watch” and “be ready all the time”.
There is no better way to keep watch than to focus on becoming more like Jesus. We aren’t wired to stand in one place and stare at the sky. We will eventually lose interest. Besides, we can’t even be positive that His return will be in our lifetime. We must continue to work, to sleep, to grind grain, to care for those less fortunate than ourselves, and while doing those things (for God’s glory) we must work at becoming more like Jesus. If the Master finds us doing these things when He returns, then it will be good for us. But if He finds us taking advantage of others, and indulging ourselves in inappropriate ways with inappropriate people, then we will be punished.
I don’t think the Lord will be angry if He returns while we happen to be on vacation, or golfing or playing in the creek with our kids. I think that his evaluation of our life and our future will be based on two things: 1. Were we continually developing a deeper walk and relationship with Him? 2. Did our relationship amount to more than just lip service?
He might only be interested in #1. I don’t know for sure. I do know that anyone who is seriously interested in developing their relationship with Jesus will have plenty of examples of how that has changed their habits, attitudes and life in general.
Living expectantly,
PR