December 8 - Prepared

December 8 - Prepared

Matthew 24:36-51, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 17:26-36, Luke 21:34-36

All of the effort that people have put in throughout history to fix the date of the return of Christ is destroyed in one sentence. "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36)

No one knows. They don't talk about it in heaven, the secret is shared with no one. No one knows. It would seem as if the signs that Jesus told us to watch for would be enough to signify when this would occur, but they don't. No one knows.

Jesus speaks of the days of Noah (Matthew 24:37-39, Luke 17:26-27). Good heavens, they could even see Noah building the ark, and yet they continued to be ignorant of the impending doom. He entered the ark, the flood came and there were people across the land who died because they had no idea.

The next verses in Matthew seem to be what we expect to see on earth from movies and books. Two men are working - one is taken away, two women are grinding at the mill - one is taken away. Please recognize that nowhere in this statement do we see that this happens prior to the return of Christ and the tribulation that will occur. This is not necessarily about that - these statements are about the fact that we need to be ready for His return at any moment.

When the Son of Man returns, there will be a clear distinction between those who are prepared to be a part of His kingdom and those who are not. He will not be gathering everyone on earth to heavenly glory. That's not the way this is going to work. Jesus is telling us very, very clearly that He will separate people when He returns. We need to be ready. We need to pray for our friends and family so that they are ready. We can't know when this is going to happen ... we desperately need to be prepared.

Matthew 24:45-51 tells us about the servant who cares for those in his charge. Please see yourself as the initial servant. You have many people that you care for and that count on you. If Jesus returns and finds that you have done nothing for them, that you have told no one about Him, that you don't pray for or care for those who are in your charge, you are like the wicked servant who spent time eating and drinking with drunkards rather than extending himself to care for those in the household. Weeping and gnashing of teeth at your punishment.

We must be prepared. We must also help those around us to be prepared.