Are You Ready for His Coming? [Matthew 24]

32"Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; 33so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.

34"Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 36"But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.

 37"For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah.38"For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

 40"Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41"Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left. 42"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.

43"But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. 44"For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.


"This is why you must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Matthew 24:44, Holman CSB)  I want to be ready.  I want to be alert.  But life is so distracting.  I think about His coming and look forward to it at times. Most of the time it is far from my mind. 

Why is it so important to think about His return?  It keeps life in proper perspective.  The thought that He could come today - does that change what I would do today? It would.  Things that I think are important at this moment would fade from the picture.  And yes, I would want to get ready. 

May we live today without distraction.  May we live from a pure and simple devotion to Christ (1 Cor. 7:35), knowing that He could return for His elect today with power and great glory (Matthew 24:30). He is near, He is right at the door! His words will never pass away.
Verna McCrillis, 1/28/2009