The End Times as God Reveals Them. Pt. 4 Christ's Return Like the Days of Noah. We Are Waiting for Jesus!
Today we hear more important end times teaching from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37) But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38) 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, 39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 40) Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41) Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42) Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43) 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. 44) Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Like the days of Noah
Jesus has more words to say about the end times. First, we are reminded that no man and no angel knows when Christ will return to this world. This is important because many false prophets and cults have tried to predict when Jesus will come without any success.
Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Second, it will be like the days of Noah right before the flood. The culture in the end times will be wicked, corrupt and vile. Men's imaginations and energies will constantly focus upon evil thoughts, evil words and evil actions. Just as in the days of Noah when mankind's sin was so egregious that God had to wipe out everyone except Noah and his family, so will it be in the end times.
The people continued in their sins blissfully unaware that Divine Judgment was going to overwhelm the world. They prepared meals and sat down to eat and drink. They got married or gave their children away in marriage. Then the flood came and wiped out all the sinners.
Jesus said His coming will be just like that: a sudden outpouring of God's wrath upon the world. The Lord gave a comparison to this day of judgment and His return. Two men will be working in the fields and one will be taken while the other is left in the field. Two women will be in a mill grinding grain into flour and one will be taken and the other one will be left.
I have heard some pastors state that this speaks of the rapture of the church and those taken are those taken to heaven and those left behind are unbelievers. This does not fit within the context of Christ's words.
May we be reminded that the church is not in view in this text. Israel is in focus here. The church is looking for the rapture when Christ returns and we will meet Him in the air. Israel is looking for that great and terrible Day of the LORD which is the final judgment of nations. The tribulation period is part of that day and Christ their Messiah will come to put down all rebellion.
A remnant of Israel will endure until the end and be saved. Thus, the woman and man being taken represents those who are unbelievers being taken to judgment and the woman and man who remain represents the believing remnant of Jews.
Jesus illustrates His coming as Judge and King in Matthew 24:42-44. It is a message of endurance and staying faithful to the remnant of believing Jews. Jesus reminds us that no one knows when He will return. The goodman is the ruler of this home. If you have seen the Greek word translated "goodman of the house" you would immediately recognize the word "despot." A despot is a ruler who has absolute power, in this case over a household.
If the goodman knew what hour a thief was going to break into his home, he would have set a watch to fight off the thief and protect his home and belongings. The text implies that this particular goodman was unaware of the break in and was not prepared to defend his property. Therefore, he suffered a loss. Jesus' message to the believing remnant? Be ready for Christ's return because He will come at an unexpected hour.
Stay awake and Watch.
New Testament Believers are waiting for their Lord.
I submit that this is essentially the same message the apostles communicated to the New Testament church.
2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4) And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5) And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Paul reminded believers that one of our responsibilities is obeying the inspired truth and guidance communicated by the apostles. By being immersed in God's holy word daily, the things of this world will grow strangely dim. Our love and faith in God will grow and be strengthened while we patiently wait for Christ's return.
The words "patiently waiting" refers to a believer who will not swerve away from his or her faith no matter how hard their troubles become.
1 Corinthians 1:7-9 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8) Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9) God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
The word "waiting" in this verse is a little different from the last example. It means waiting with patience, great expectancy and certainty. What are we waiting for? We are waiting for the coming of Jesus Christ who will conform us into His image so we may be found blameless in God's sight. The word "coming" means that Jesus Christ is going to appear and manifest Himself to all believers who are part of His church.
Notice that Paul called this event the "day of our Lord Jesus" which is a very different term from the Old Testament Day of the LORD." This is because the day of our Lord Jesus is a day of joy and a happy homegoing for the born again believers in the church. It is quite distinct from the day of judgment and outpouring of God's wrath associated with the day of the LORD.
Living Right and Looking for Christ to Return.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12) Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13) Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Paul wrote to Titus about the church established in Crete and the things that Titus needed to set in order. The apostle spelled out what should be the clear desire of each born again believer: a willingness to deny ungodliness and worldly lust so that we can live a sober, righteous and Godly life as long as we are living on this planet.
Then Paul tells us what should govern our thoughts, words and actions. We are to engage in looking for our blessed hope and glorious appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The word "looking" means an intense waiting for God's promises in Christ to be fulfilled by His return to call the church home. It is a happy looking filled with joyful and confident expectation of salvation that the Author of our salvation will bring to us.
Thoughts to Ponder...
Both the remnant and born again believers are commanded to wait and watch. The end times will see life going on as usual for most people with eating, drinking, marrying, working, having leisure time and so on. However, the culture as a whole is going to become increasingly wicked and perverse.
New Testament believers are waiting and watching for the glorious appearance of Christ who will conform us to the end. It will be a happy and joyous reunion for all who are born again.
Are we waiting and watching with great anticipation and hope?
Are we actively serving our Lord in every way that we can?
Are we filled with joy while thinking about Christ's return?
We should have hearts full of hope as we think about Jesus coming for His church in the event called the rapture. God will bring all prophecy to the exact conclusion that He planned and our glorified Lord will be high and exalted over all. May the return of Christ become a much more prominent focus in each of our lives so that the things of earth grow strangely dim in comparison to Jesus our Lord.
Bob
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