Prophecy
Earlene DavisCHRIST’S RETURN TO EARTH
Matthew 24:36-39, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
Jesus is emphasizing the suddenness of His coming. It will be a surprise to the world and as unwelcome as a thief, even as the flood was. It came suddenly sweeping upon the ungodly and took them away in judgment – Gen. 6. This is not the rapture of the church as some preach. This is when He shall come in judgment. The flood was judgment. Who were saved when the flood came? Only those who enter into the ark of safety. Many were not saved and taken away in judgment. “So shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
Vs. 40-41, “Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.” It will be separative and selective. Today, is a time of separation spiritually. The Lord is separating us unto Himself. When this judgment comes there will be actual separation between saint and sinner. The one taken will be taken in judgment and the other left. That is the way it was in the flood. Those left were in the ark, they were safe. That day will show plainly who is a believer and who is not. Those who believe will be left for blessing in the earth, as was the case with Noah and his family.
Vs. 42-43, “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.” Watchfulness is the admonition.
When did the watches occur? It was at night. They would watch the city so no danger would come to them. Six o’clock at night unto six o’clock in the morning were divided into four night watches. Mt. 14:25, Jesus came to them in the fourth watch of the night walking on the sea. Tribulation will be the night time that is coming to this world. In the fourth watch He will come to Israel, the Day Star will arise – II Pet. 1:19.
We are not in that time. We are not of the night, we are of the day - I Thess. 5:5-6,24. In Acts 1:6-8 the disciples asked Jesus, Will you at this time restore the kingdom of Israel? He said, It is not for you to know, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Vs. 44-47, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.” This message is primarily to Israel, but verse 45 is an example to us that God loves faithfulness. Let us be wise in what the Lord has given to us, and may we feed others the Word of God.
Vs. 48-51, “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder (cut off), and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
The principle of this can apply to us also. We read of two kinds of servants here, The wise and faithful servant is one that watches for the Lord and expects Him to come any day. There is also the unfaithful servants, who are only professors. They are known as servants, yet they serve themselves not others.
