Want a peek at the Future?

Want a peek at the Future? Matthew 24-25. 

Maybe it will happen on a day just like today … perhaps the sky will boast different shapes and hues of clouds, with sun rays in the background. Perhaps a perfectly blue sky with birds dotting an azure canvas. Either way, we know one thing for sure--it will happen in the skies. What? Jesus’ return! 

Jesus has come into Jerusalem, and in his last days before he goes to the cross, he prophesies of coming things. In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus foretells the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish Temple, center of Judaism … and then it takes place in A.D. 70, well after Jesus ascends into Heaven, several decades after the prophecy. But then, Jesus also describes the day of his return, what Christians commonly refer to as the ‘second coming of Jesus Christ’. 

From his own mouth he gives us some idea of what is to come, what is to happen. 

Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. And many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time. "So if anyone tells you, 'There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, 'Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, (in other places, this is referred to as splitting the sky), so will be the coming of the Son of Man.1 

"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.2 

As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 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; 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.3 Jesus will come just as people are going about the daily-ness of their lives. 

Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 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. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.4 Predictions of a particular day are false; the time and date of Jesus’ second coming will not be announced beforehand. 

In fact, Jesus gives an analogy about what it will be like: "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!' "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.' "'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.' "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!' "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'5 It will be too late to choose for Jesus when he is before you in the sky; he has given you all the information you need to know about him to make your mind up for him now. 

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.6 Be ready, Christian. Be about the work of the kingdom. 

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.7 Only the Father knows the appointed time of Jesus’ second coming. 

‘Want to know more? From the Old Testament prophet, Ezekiel, read chapters 37 – 39, regarding things that must take place in the world—particularly, with regard to Israel-- before Jesus returns. Check out how many have taken place … is Jesus coming soon? 

Since hundreds of Bible prophecies have been accurately fulfilled, shouldn’t we consider Jesus’ prophecy about his return equally valid? Certainly! 
And since Jesus is coming again—possibly very soon—how then should we live? 
How should this knowledge order our priorities, that which we value and pursue? Hmmm ~ a lot to think about! 

Christine

PastorWoman.com

1 - Matthew 24:4-5; 11; 23-27 
2 - Matthew 24:30-31 
3 - Matthew 24:37-39 
4 - Matthew 24:40-44 
5 - Matthew 25:1-12 
6 - Matthew 25:13 
7 - Matthew 24:36