We come this morning to our last message on "The Signs of the End Times". Jesus closes his discussion by giving his disciples the lesson of the fig tree and then calls them to unprecedented vigilance over the affairs of their life and their spiritual vitality.

THE LESSON OF THE FIG TREE v. 28-31

"Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door." v.28-29

Many think this refers to Israel becoming a nation in 1948.

Arnold Fruchtenbaum's correction

Note: We are not suggesting that Israel becoming a nation in 1948 is irrelevant in Bible prophecy; it is highly significant. We are only saying that Israel is not in view in this passage.

The Point is "you know that it is near" v.29

"Red sky in the morning, sailors warning; red sky at night, sailors delight"

"I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." v.30-31

What is true of God’s words is equally true of Jesus' words, for He is God.

You better take them seriously!

AN EXHORTATION TO WATCHFULNESS v.32-37

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." v.32

"No one knows."

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However, "you know that it is near, right at the door." v.29

"nor the son." Under the limitations of his human nature, Jesus did not know at this time the precise moment of his return.

Jesus describes what it will be like at that time. A very sobering passage.

"As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man." Matthew 24:37-39

"each with his assigned task" v.34

"It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch." Mk 13:34

Answers the question: "How shall we then live? What shall we do until he comes?"

"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? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns." Matt 24:45-46

God has given every man his work to do, and he expects that work to be done.

We are to shine like lights in a dark world. We are to be salt of the earth, faithful to his calling, honoring him in all we say and do, using our spiritual gifts to impact the kingdom of God.

Every one has his own work to do, for which he is individually qualified, and which is committed to him and to no other.

TRANS: Working and watching go together; for Christians are like the Jews in the time of Nehemiah, who built the walls of Jerusalem, while they were armed and on their guard against the enemy.

"and tells the one at the door to keep watch" v.34

• BE READY: "Be on guard! Be alert!" v.33 "keep watch" v.35

Doesn't merely mean to look up to the clouds every morning in order to see whether Jesus is beginning to make his appearance?

The owner and his servants

The servants are to manage the affairs of the house faithfully and completely.

Military have unannounced inspections

"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return . . . so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him." Lk 12:35-36

"That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows." Lk 12:47

Application

We are to be ready at any moment to see him face-to-face

We are to remain at our spiritual best at all times.

We are to allow no strangeness to come in between us and our heavenly Father.

We are to remain alert to spiritual dangers.

J Being ready for any emergency is better than being certain about when this or that emergency will arise.

• BE NOT SLEEPING: "do not let him find you sleeping." v.36

"So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled." 1 Th 5:6

"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down (dazed, confused, in a fog; unable to make right choices and arise to effective action) with 1) self-indulgence, 2) drunkenness and 3) the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap." Lk 21:34

People who get depressed about life, shut down and just want to sleep.

• CONCLUSION

This is about the "state of mind" we are to live in.

J Like the soldier on guard duty

Fully engaged, "head in the game," weapon ready, radio functioning.

Take a photo; Live in that state of mind: Jesus is coming! either at your unknown death, at the unknown rapture or at the unknown Day of the Lord.

"This means that we must live so that it does not matter when he comes. It gives us the great task of making every day fit for him to see, and being at any moment ready to meet him face to face." William Barkley