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On That Day (Jesus' Return)
Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 4, 2013 (message contributor)
Summary: What do we actually know about the day of Jesus' return? Some seem to have spiritual insight and have the ability to discern signs in the sky. Is that what Jesus said we should be doing?
On That Day Matthew 24:36-44
Introduction
Reading a little in Romans 13, the idea of being awake in our spiritual life intrigues me. One reason is that the day of Jesus is coming!
Romans 13:11 “And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
Matthew 24 is an enigmatic chapter with a lot of questions. It helps me to recognize that there are two questions being asked here (verse 3), and that Jesus answers them in order, but separately. The Two questions are:
*When will this happen (the temple be destroyed)
*What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?
Jesus answers the questions in order, saving the discussion about the second coming for verses 36-44. (Read). In this text are some pronouncements to which we should pay attention:
1. THAT DAY IS UNKNOWN (24:36). No one knows the hour of that day. Anyone who claims to know is not telling you the truth!
2. THAT DAY IS A NORMAL DAY. (24:37-39). The things you see every day – eating, drinking, marrying, and living. There is no signal that this is the last day. Anyone who claims to know when Jesus s coming back due to some warning signals in the sky is not telling you the truth.
3. THAT DAY IS A DAY OF SUDDEN JUDGMENT. (24:40-41). People will disappear. Not everyone is going to be saved. Anyone who tells you that in the end everyone will be saved is not telling you the truth.
4. THAT DAY IS SURE TO COME (24:44). The message is to be ready! Jesus demonstrates his knowledge of human nature with a short parable within this teaching. If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into (43). What if we knew the signs, dates, and time of the return of Jesus Christ? What would we do? I think most people would eat, drink, and be merry until the day BEFORE that day! I might go buy a Jaguar on credit, knowing I wouldn’t actually have to pay for it! I can see a reason behind keeping that day a secret.
Conclusion
The reason is that the Christian life is not JUST about being ready for that day. It is about being alert, awake, and alive to the power of Christ in us. It is about helping other people get ready for that day. So that ‘on that day’ we will be happy to see Jesus.
Disclaimer: In study and reading over the years I claim no originality. If you determine that this material is yours, I will happily give you credit or remove it from the site. Thank you!
