To Be or Not to Be

MT. 24:32-35

Matthew 24:32–35 ESV

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

vv. 32-33: The parable of the fig tree seems to emphasize the point Christ's return is going to be somewhat obvious, but at the same time hidden from those who are not looking- even when it's right under their nose. They have to be paying attention!

Some Questions: Are we paying attention? Do you understand the fact that Christ can return at any moment? Not acquiesce to the point, but understand and live it out? If not, why?

vv. 34-35: The idea of this generation can refer to a couple of things- i.e. a group people of a specific time period (usually about 30 years), or of a particular people or race. It is the idea that Christ is absolutely meaning what he is saying, for He starts with an "amen" and ends with language setting His words in stone

He points out that the “abomination of desolation” had one fulfilment in the desecration effected by Antiochus Epiphanes and another in the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies. “In a similar way, the events of the immediate period leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem portend a greater and more universal catastrophe when Christ returns in judgment at the end of time.” [Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 612–613.]

Once again, are you aware of the immediacy of Christ’s return? Do you live as if this is the case?

leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem portend a greater and more universal catastrophe when Christ returns in judgment at the end of time.” [Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 612–613.]

Matthew 24:36–41 ESV

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.

Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 612–613.

v. 36: The day (vv. 29-31) in question will come to pass. The idea no one knows except the Father amplifies the intensity of its secrecy and imminence.

Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 612–613.

It is as if it’s a test!

vv. 37-39: It is the day of salvation for those not caught off guard, and judgment for those who were not looking or expecting. It will be after a long period of warning, but when it comes it will be swift, to the point, unbreaking in its judgment, and in a time when most everyone least expects it due to their ignorance and faithlessness

Are you ready?

vv. 40-41: It will be like any other day, it will be a separation, and it will be final (no one knows it’s timing save the Father!)

It seems to point out that the day itself of Christ’s return will be like any other day, and we will not be able to ascertain when that Day of Days is directly upon us- we can only know when the times are drawing near for the return of the Lord

mt. 24:42-44

Matthew 24:42–44 ESV

Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

v.42: Be on the alert! Don't sleep, stay awake! It's in the sense of not knowing when he is coming, so you have to be ready at all times

How do we do this? By staying in His word. By praying. By congregating with fellow brethren. By sharing the Gospel, and its reality to the world

vv. 43-44: There is an emphasis to not be taken off guard. If you knew a thief was coming you would do your best to guard your family and your assets; you would prepare for all possibilities- and yet you do not know! Therefore, you must be prepared at all times, because Christ will return in a time when you do not think He will

Will you be taken off guard? Are we off guard as I am speaking right now?

Matthew 24:45–51 ESV

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

mt. 24:

vv. 45-47: The good servant is characterized by steadfast allegiance and excellent judgment in serving his Master's household at all times according to his Master's commandments. This is the servant that will be highly favored in his Master's eyes the day He returns. The faithful servant's reward will be much greater than anything imaginable

What kind of servant are you? Are you the servant who is in constant expectation of his/her Master’s return? Notice what this means to be the good and faithful servant- you will be about your Master’s business

vv. 48-51: The wicked servant is characterized by apathy and belligerence to his Master due to his perception his Master is delayed in His coming.

Because of his incorrect perception of his Master's return, he lives his life like a wicked pagan, persecuting his brothers and sisters. Living a life of debauchery. He is in full-blown ignorance of his Master's return.

It's because of this ignorance his Master's return catches him off guard, and the result is horrific.

His Master will cut him down into pieces and put him where he belongs- amidst all the other hypocrites. This place will be a place of utter misery and torment- it is hell and its reality finally manifested to the horror of the wicked servant

Conclusion

We are not our own, yet we sometimes behave as if that is the case

We say we want the Lord to come, and we want to be about our Master’s business. However, it has been my experience that there always seems to be a caveat- we want to accomplish it on our terms, and our way

We like our traditions, and we want our church to be what we are used to- as it always has been we tell ourselves.

However, it is not our church- it is the Lord’s, and it needs to function in His image. Does it? Is it feeding the poor, reaching the lost, and preaching salvation to any who would hear? Do we meet the lost on their level of understanding?

Or do we do church our way?