Date: November 2005 Series: - “I Want to be Left Behind” (XIII) Title: Olivet Discourse (cont'd)

       Jesus was quite critical of the state of Judaism in His time (Matthew 23) and spoke dire warnings of destruction to the generation that saw, heard, and, largely, rejected Him as their awaited Messiah (Matthew 24:1-34).  But what then?

       The Coming of the Son of Man.  At Matthew 24:35, Jesus clearly "changed topics."  From the destruction of Herod's Temple, which would occur within the lifetime of those who rejected Him (Matthew 23:29 - 24:2,34), He began to address a larger event in the unknown distant future.  Jesus viewed His future "coming" as coinciding with the "passing away of heaven and earth" and compared it with the flood judgment of Noah's time (vv. 35-42 - see: 2Peter 3).  Note that Jesus had no idea "when" this would occur (v. 36) - another reason why Matthew 23:29 – 24:34 refers to 70 A.D. (23:36 & 24:34) and NOT to His return!

       Just like the Days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-42)."  It is always a good idea to let the analogy-maker tell you what is "similar" between two items.  Although Noah's time was known for its great evil (Genesis 6:5,11,12), this was not a similarity that Jesus emphasized.  Instead, He described the normal affairs of life - eating/drinking/marriage (not gluttony, drunkenness, and immorality).  Noah and his family knew what was coming and prepared, but the unrighteous did not understand or prepare and the flood came "and took them all away."  When the flood was over, the unrighteous were gone, never to be seen again, while Noah and his family remained to repopulate the cleansed earth - THIS is what will be similar.  Thus, Christians must be on the alert because only God the Father knows "when" Jesus will return and heaven and earth will pass away.

       Like a nighttime thief (Matthew 24:43-44).  Having been victimized by thieves before, I know how nice it would be if they WOULD "make an appointment" or call ahead (some last-minute warning sign), so you could be ready.  But they don’t do that and neither will Jesus.  Thus, you must either be and remain prepared ahead of time or be surprised.  Thus, Christians must be on the alert because only God the Father knows "when" Jesus will return and heaven and earth will pass away.

       Obedient/disobedient servants (Matthew 24:45-51).  There are two kinds of servants (or employees?) - those who do what they are told whether supervised or not and those who only work when you stand behind them with a stick!  The best way to be prepared for Christ's return is to be faithfully doing what Jesus told us to do - daily (see: 2Peter 3:11-15).  On the other hand, the worst thing you can do is to assume that you have lots of time and can now "enjoy" sin and evil (Hebrews 11:25) at the expense of others.  Those taking this approach will be caught by surprise and punished as all Hebrew covenant-violators expected to be punished - "cut in two" as the covenant blood sacrificial animal had been "cut in two" just before they spoke their covenant oath. The message for those with spiritual responsibility over others should be very clear!  Don’t let Christ's return catch you by surprise, engaged in evil!  It will come at a time you do not expect (v. 50).

       Parable of Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).  In Hebrew weddings, the groom's party would show up for the bride's party and then both would go to the wedding location.  As they did not wear watches and "serve the clock," as we do, the girls needed to be ready whenever the guys showed up.  Some folks are prepared to wait as long as necessary, while others have a mentally set "timetable" that influences (and limits) their preparation and patience.  Be ready to go, but also to wait as long as necessary, because you don’t know when Jesus is coming!

       Have you “caught the point” yet?  All of Jesus' illustrations so far have had one point of emphasis - stay ready, because nobody will know "when" until it happens.  Thus, it is doubtful that there are any last-minute warning signs just before Jesus returns!

       Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30).  A common feature in many Biblical teachings is that Christ's people are to be responsible and busy while the Master is away (see Luke 19:11-27).  We don’t all start our Christian service with the same "amount," but we are expected to use what we have to advance the Master's interests and, later on, the Master will be pleased accordingly.  On the other hand, there are those who are aware of the Master's expectation, but fail to do anything out of "fear."  "Bank interest" would be a safe investment, would show some increase, and would be acceptable – but the one thing condemned is failure to attempt anything to advance the Master's interests.  Every Christian must wrestle with the need to find something they can do to advance Christ's interests before He returns - failure to try because of fear is unacceptable.

       The Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46).  Aside from all of the theorizing that goes on, verses 31-32 do not tell us "where" the Lord's throne is placed (we are not told that this is "the Throne of David in Jerusalem").  What we are told is that there will be a great day of judgment for all of humanity and they will be separated into two groups (those who showed benevolence to others and those who did not).  These groups are then divided to two "eternal" fates - the fire prepared for rebels (vv. 41) and eternal life.  I see this as a parallel to John 5:28-29, Romans 2:1-16, and Revelation 20:10-15.  Judgment (determining guilt/innocence) is under way NOW,^[1] and there is yet to come one great Day of Judgment/Sentencing (Acts 17:30,31).  We find pardon by embracing what is graciously offered in Jesus Christ.  "Let him who has ears," hear what Jesus said.