From the Book, Rules For Life: According To Jesus
32. Be Ready
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
Matthew 24:42-44
Here, Jesus is talking about His return to Earth. Yes, He’s coming back (maybe fairly soon).
When Jesus tells us to “be ready” for His return, I think He’s speaking to having an attitude of eager expectation. If I’m not mistaken, many of His apostles had the impression that He would return at any moment. And they were eager for it—right up until their deaths.
Now, we see that it’s been some 2,000 years since He told us to “be ready”. That’s a lot of eager expectation. But why not? It keeps our hope alive of seeing Him soon. And that’s a good thing.
Still, if we are paying attention to our Bible study, we see that in this same chapter He listed a whole bunch of things that will occur prior to His return. I’m not going to list them here, because I only have 2 pages per command (in the paper version).
One thing that He said about His return is that no one knows “the day or hour” that it will happen. (Mt.24:36) Unfortunately, some have taken this to mean that it may happen at any moment (called “imminent return” doctrine).
But when we read what Paul said about His return we see that something very specific must take place before the Lord is seen in the skies over Earth.
Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. Don’t be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed—the one who brings destruction.He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
Paul is referring to the antichrist, whom Jesus kills upon His arrival back to Earth. So the antichrist (an actual person) will be revealed in the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem (an actual building in an actual city) before the Lord returns. Until then, He will not return.
Jesus also gave us this teaching in the same chapter where our command is given. In Matthew 24:29-31, Jesus tells us that His return will be after the Tribulation (which I don’t have space to discuss).
Finally, Paul assures us that the return of Jesus will not take us by surprise because we are in His light, not the darkness like others. So stay in the light of Christ and you will know.
Previous – Make Disciples | Next – Obey Jesus’ Commands
Sections in this study:
Introduction
1: Repent
2: Be Born Again
3: Place God First
4: Love and Serve One Another
5: Live By Faith
6: Forgive Others
7: Remain in Jesus
8: Live Righteously Before Men
9: Avoid Bad Influences
10: Stay On The Narrow Path
11: Do Not Return Evil With Evil
12: Give More Than Is Demanded
13: Love Your Enemies
14: Check Your Motives
15: Pray Simply
16: Do Not Worry
17: Store Up Treasures In Heaven
18: Do Not Be Judgmental
19: Guard what is Sacred
20: Care For Those In Distress
21: Do Not Swear Oaths
22: Watch out for false prophets
23: Exercise Spiritual Power
24: Have Childlike Faith
25: Do Not Exalt Yourself
26: Settle Disputes Quickly
27: Settle Disputes Between Believers
28: Do not Oppose Brethren
29: Remember Me
30: Be Merciful
31: Make Disciples
32: Be Ready
33: Obey Jesus’ Commands
Closing Comments
