Be Ready Series

We should not think of holy and unholy work. We are not called to quit our jobs to some sacred vocation.

The co-existence is actually one of the best avenues for evangelism. Excellent work side by side with the lost, gives a great opportunity for evangelism of the coming realities. We often don't spend enough time befriending the lost in order to call them to the truth.

(Verse 36, which records a third example, is not found in the earliest and most reliable Greek manuscripts of Luke. Most likely the verse was inserted to harmonize this passage with Matt. 24:40.( Martin, J. A. (1985). Luke. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 249). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

In each case, whether sleeping or awake, one will be taken and the other left. And that separation will occur over the whole world. The verb taken in Luke 17:34–36 does not mean “taken to heaven” but “taken away in judgment” (Matt. 24:36–41). The person “left” is a believer who enters into the kingdom. Noah and his family were “left” to enjoy a new beginning, while the whole population of the earth was “taken” in the Flood. In spite of their sins, Lot and his daughters were “left” while the people in Sodom and Gomorrah were “taken” when the fire and brimstone destroyed the cities (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 246). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

The Lord illustrated this same principle in the parable of the wheat and tares (Matt. 13:24–30) and the analogy of the sheep and goat judgment (Matt. 25:31–46). Physical nearness will neither save nor damn anyone. Also, once the final day arrives, every opportunity to be saved is gone forever. The door is shut for those who have not taken advantage of the opportunity to be saved (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of the Gospel According to Luke (Vol. 11, p. 809). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.)

Please turn to Matthew 25 (p.831)

About half of Matthew 24 deals with signs ... of Christ’s return (vv. 4–26, 32–35). A very small section describes the return of Christ itself (vv. 27–31). But a third of chapter 24 (vv. 36–51) and all of chapter 25 (vv. 1–46), a total of sixty-two verses, warn us to get ready since we do not know when that day of final reckoning will be. Or to put it yet another way, Jesus stresses this single essential point with seven historical references, verbal pictures or parables—four in (Matthew 24) and three in the next. The application is clear: Are you watching? Are you ready for Jesus Christ’s return? (Boice, J. M. (2001). The Gospel of Matthew (516). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books.)

Matthew 25:32-46 [32]Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33]And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. [34]Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35]For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36]I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' [37]Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38]And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39]And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' [40]And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.' [41]"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42]For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43]I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' [44]Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' [45]Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.' [46]And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (ESV)