Daily Bread 2011 - Matthew 24
Daily Bread 2011 – Thursday February 3rd, 2011 – Matthew 24:36-40
The Day and Hour Unknown
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 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; 39 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. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
What Does This Mean?
As Jesus starts to head toward Jerusalem, towards the cross, questions start surfacing as to the “end times”. Jesus points out that there will be many false messiahs who will claim to be the Messiah, but are deceivers. These false messiahs and false prophets will even perform signs as if even to deceive believers. Then, there are various signs given that will point to the end is coming I.e. wars, famines, earthquakes etc…
But verse 36 clears up the misconception that any one will know the exact date or time. There are some groups (I.e. Watchtower organization=Jehovah’s Witness) that predicted many dates in the early 1900’s, but obviously they were all wrong. This confirms these were false prophets. In the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 18:20, false prophets were to be stoned. In the New Testament it warns us to test every prophet and disregard and not associate with false ones.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Our time would be better spent being prepared for the day Jesus is to return, than to worry about calculating when that day will be. Clearly the passage says it will be better for us to be at work bringing God’s kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven, rather than speculating and making predictions in vain.
Though we can’t predict the day, we can prepare for it! One of the ways we do prepare is spending time in God’s Word and understanding His will for us, and then being obedient to carry it out in the power of His Spirit. As we read more and become knowledgeable about these things, we are better position to discern when false prophets appear. I.e. When someone comes claiming to know when the end will come.
Of course our being prepared has mostly to do with being a right relationship with God by faith. As we are abiding in Christ and bearing fruit through our connection with Him, we are ready at any time for His return. Are you ready?
Jesus thank you that you have prepared us for all that we will need in this life and the next by going to the cross and dying for our sins. As we await your return may we be about living out our faith in ways that will draw people to your amazing grace so they too can be ready for when you return according to Your Father’s will. Amen.
The Day and Hour Unknown
36 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 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; 39 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. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
What Does This Mean?
As Jesus starts to head toward Jerusalem, towards the cross, questions start surfacing as to the “end times”. Jesus points out that there will be many false messiahs who will claim to be the Messiah, but are deceivers. These false messiahs and false prophets will even perform signs as if even to deceive believers. Then, there are various signs given that will point to the end is coming I.e. wars, famines, earthquakes etc…
But verse 36 clears up the misconception that any one will know the exact date or time. There are some groups (I.e. Watchtower organization=Jehovah’s Witness) that predicted many dates in the early 1900’s, but obviously they were all wrong. This confirms these were false prophets. In the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 18:20, false prophets were to be stoned. In the New Testament it warns us to test every prophet and disregard and not associate with false ones.
What Does This Mean For Us?
Our time would be better spent being prepared for the day Jesus is to return, than to worry about calculating when that day will be. Clearly the passage says it will be better for us to be at work bringing God’s kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven, rather than speculating and making predictions in vain.
Though we can’t predict the day, we can prepare for it! One of the ways we do prepare is spending time in God’s Word and understanding His will for us, and then being obedient to carry it out in the power of His Spirit. As we read more and become knowledgeable about these things, we are better position to discern when false prophets appear. I.e. When someone comes claiming to know when the end will come.
Of course our being prepared has mostly to do with being a right relationship with God by faith. As we are abiding in Christ and bearing fruit through our connection with Him, we are ready at any time for His return. Are you ready?
Jesus thank you that you have prepared us for all that we will need in this life and the next by going to the cross and dying for our sins. As we await your return may we be about living out our faith in ways that will draw people to your amazing grace so they too can be ready for when you return according to Your Father’s will. Amen.
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