Things that are definitely coming

Heb. 11:1, 10, 13-14

Matthew 24: 36 “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 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. 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. 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.

To set the scene in Matthew: Jesus has been talking about a time of trouble to come. He warns that many are going to die, and that there will be many false prophets and messiahs. He tells us to look for the buds that bring forth the new leaves of the new world.

Things that are definitely coming (in a few days we will celebrate the time that he came)

A time o busy-ness is coming:

As in the days of Noah. Everyone will be busy living life in the same way they always have, completely careless about the things that matter most to God. (Sounds familiar? Like today?)
Jerry that time is here. Yes I agree, we are so busy with the everyday things that we are not looking for his coming.

See You in Prison It is illegal to read the Bible in the public schools of Illinois, but a law requires the state to provide a Bible for every person in prison! Don’t worry, kids, if you can’t read the Bible in school, you’ll be able to when you get to prison!

The second coming of Christ

Then, "as lightning" (v.27), the Lord returns, bringing with Him the kingdom of God. That's not a problem for those who are busy doing God's work on earth; they're already living out the Kingdom. They have the hope in their hearts; they want what's coming. But what if that's not you? What if you're unprepared? What if you're caught partying when you should be serving? What if you've been foolish with the gifts God has given you, wasting it out of laziness, or worse, hoarding it because you're afraid to use it up?

1 John 2: 28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

2 Peter 3: 3 First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

Jerry when is he coming? Pre-tribulation, Mid, post? The real question is, are you continuing in him?

A time of separation is coming

Families, marriages, friends…
This separation doesn’t have to happen, if we receive Christ now.

The end of all things and a new beginning of all things

Revelation 21: 1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.

”Don't wait for the Kingdom to come before you start living for it. Part of it is already here, wherever faith in Christ is lived out. The Kingdom life was meant to start here on earth, in this life, in this world, among these people around you.

Live it because of your love of God, and you will be ready when he returns -- don't worry about the rest, because it's in God’s hands.