Hey! What would you be doing if you knew Jesus would show up??!!! Often, when tempted to do those things I should not do or to accept an invitation to go to those places where I should not be, I often think ‘what would Jesus think’ if He decided that the Second Coming would be RIGHT NOW!! Have you ever thought about that? Ever go to a movie where the language was vulgar – you knew you shouldn’t be there but you stayed? Ever go to a party that got totally out of hand, alcohol flowing freely, lewd jokes (and you laughed at them ;>)) – you knew you shouldn’t be there but you stayed? Ever been doing a shady business deal – you knew you shouldn’t be doing but you did it anyway?
It’s a sobering thought to be in a “worldly” place or participating in things of the world and look up and see Jesus! Wow! Christ’s second coming will be swift and sudden. There will be no opportunity for last-minute repentance or bargaining. The choice we have already made will determine our eternal destiny. Scripture describes His return as a thief, coming in the night. Jesus Himself said that He knew not the hour or the day but that only the Father knew.
Jesus’ purpose in talking about his return was not to stimulate predictions and calculations about the date but to warn us to be prepared. Will you be ready? The only safe choice is to obey him today (Matthew 24:46).
The “holy” folks of the Jesus’ day, the Pharisees, would ask Jesus when God’s Kingdom would come. For all of their knowledge of the Scriptures, they still did not know that the Kingdom of God begins with the work of God’s Spirit in people’s lives and in relationships. We must resist looking to institutions or programs for evidence of the progress of God’s Kingdom. Instead, we should look for what God is doing in people’s hearts.
Jesus said that many will claim to be the Messiah, and many will claim that the Son of Man has returned—and people will believe them. Jesus warns us never to take such reports seriously, no matter how convincing they may sound. When Jesus returns, his power and presence will be evident to everyone. No one will need to spread the message because all will see for themselves. Jesus warned against false security. We are to abandon the values and attachments of this world in order to be ready for Christ’s return. His return will happen suddenly, and when he comes, there will be no second chances. Some will be taken to be with him; the rest will be left behind – and those left behind will have to do some tall talking when all of a sudden – the “body” of Christ is no longer on earth! Be ready!
Papa Joe Mac's Commentary:
Hey! What would you be doing if you knew Jesus would show up??!!! Often, when tempted to do those things I should not do or to accept an invitation to go to those places where I should not be, I often think ‘what would Jesus think’ if He decided that the Second Coming would be RIGHT NOW!! Have you ever thought about that? Ever go to a movie where the language was vulgar – you knew you shouldn’t be there but you stayed? Ever go to a party that got totally out of hand, alcohol flowing freely, lewd jokes (and you laughed at them ;>)) – you knew you shouldn’t be there but you stayed? Ever been doing a shady business deal – you knew you shouldn’t be doing but you did it anyway?
It’s a sobering thought to be in a “worldly” place or participating in things of the world and look up and see Jesus! Wow! Christ’s second coming will be swift and sudden. There will be no opportunity for last-minute repentance or bargaining. The choice we have already made will determine our eternal destiny. Scripture describes His return as a thief, coming in the night. Jesus Himself said that He knew not the hour or the day but that only the Father knew.
Jesus’ purpose in talking about his return was not to stimulate predictions and calculations about the date but to warn us to be prepared. Will you be ready? The only safe choice is to obey him today (Matthew 24:46).
The “holy” folks of the Jesus’ day, the Pharisees, would ask Jesus when God’s Kingdom would come. For all of their knowledge of the Scriptures, they still did not know that the Kingdom of God begins with the work of God’s Spirit in people’s lives and in relationships. We must resist looking to institutions or programs for evidence of the progress of God’s Kingdom. Instead, we should look for what God is doing in people’s hearts.
Jesus said that many will claim to be the Messiah, and many will claim that the Son of Man has returned—and people will believe them. Jesus warns us never to take such reports seriously, no matter how convincing they may sound. When Jesus returns, his power and presence will be evident to everyone. No one will need to spread the message because all will see for themselves. Jesus warned against false security. We are to abandon the values and attachments of this world in order to be ready for Christ’s return. His return will happen suddenly, and when he comes, there will be no second chances. Some will be taken to be with him; the rest will be left behind – and those left behind will have to do some tall talking when all of a sudden – the “body” of Christ is no longer on earth! Be ready!