Series: When Does It End? [#9]
WHILE WE ARE WAITING
Matthew 24:40-51
Introduction:
Tonight’s text is a reminder to us to what to do while we are waiting for Jesus’ return.
Matthew 24:40-42 (NIV)
40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
We must be…
1. Alert.
These verses have created a timing controversy. The question is, “Does this section refer to the Rapture of the Church or a different time?
There are 2 main thoughts on this.
* When Jesus returns at the Second Coming, one person is taken away to judgment and the other is left to rule and reign with Jesus during His Millennial Reign.
Based on verse 39, judgment is still occurring. Most believe that this is happening towards the end of the Great Tribulation. This thought would fit with a Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
* Others believe that this is the Rapture.
If this refers to the Rapture, then the Rapture would have to take place at the end of the Great Tribulation. Regardless of which view you take, the main point here is to be alert.
Matthew 24:43-44 (NIV)
43 But understand this: 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. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
We must be…
2. Ready.
Faithful servants should be guarding their households from burglary. Have you ever had your home broken into? It almost always happens when you are not ready. Jesus is not comparing Himself to a thief. He is explaining His unexpected arrival.
Matthew 24:45-47 (NIV)
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
We must be…
3. Faithful.
In Jesus’ time, it was not uncommon for the Master to place one servant in charge of the household affairs.
Who then is the faithful and wise servant?
* Christians have been entrusted with Christ’s teachings and the Apostle’s doctrines.
* The one found doing God’s will and the specific tasks assigned by the Master.
Conclusion:
Matthew 24:48-51 (NIV)
48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
This passage ends with what will happen to those who are not Christians. Their destruction will be eternal punishment in Hell.
