Ready for His Return

Matthew 24-25

There is something you should fear more than war

Daniel 9:24-27 written in 540BC.  Jesus believed Daniel was accurate.

Great Tribulation

Next, Jesus moves from telling what will happen and when, to explaining lessons and application. Are you ready to hear it? Have you decided what you will do when He tells this next part? Who do you believe Jesus is?

What generation is Jesus speaking about? His generation? Or the end times?  Both. The terrible destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 was a foretaste of the future.

See 2 Peter 3:9-12 for an explanation of this.

They were preoccupied with daily life and not thinking about “judgment day.”

He uses his position for his own benefit, and not the master’s.

Why is Jesus so angry about hypocrites?
These say they believe in Him, but they are not fulfilling the instructions He gave.

Wise people plan for problems and inconveniences. They allow for “margin”.

They were more focused on themselves and their schedules than on His coming.

He could have pleased his master, but he didn’t even try. His “fear” was an excuse and did not excuse his failure.

There will be terrible consequences for those who do not take Him seriously.

Those who truly know Him will gladly serve Him till He returns.

Five expectations Jesus specifically said:

1. It will be a long time till He returns. (3X) Don’t get lazy or sidetracked.
2. We are servants, not free persons, with a “To Do List” every day.
3. He gave specific responsibilities that would take all our effort and abilities, and hold us accountable for accomplishing every bit of them.
4. He expects every resource entrusted to us to be multiplied into changed lives.
5. We are to manage and feed one another so we all accomplish His assignment.

 

 

How should we live in light of this prophecy?

Titus 2:11
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.

Have you called on His grace for your salvation?

Titus 2:12-14
¹²It teaches teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, ¹³while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager (zealous) to do good works.”

Have you turned from all known sin, living a self-controlled, upright and godly life?

Are you zealous for a life of purity and good works?

2Peter 3:9-11
⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise. … Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. ¹¹Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹²as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

Are you calling others to repentance and trusting Christ as Savior and Lord?