Watch for the Lord's Comming

Christian Commitment
in Today's World


Matthew 24:36-44 (The Message)

 ³⁶"But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven's angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.
 ^37-39"The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah's. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing—until the flood hit and swept everything away.
 ^39-44"The Son of Man's Arrival will be like that: Two men will be working in the field—one will be taken, one left behind; two women will be grinding at the mill—one will be taken, one left behind. So stay awake, alert. You have no idea what day your Master will show up. But you do know this: You know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that. You have no idea when the Son of Man is going to show up.

For Reflection
The IVP New Testament Commentaries say,  "Impenitent sinners shall see Him whom they have pierced, and, though they laugh now, shall mourn and weep in endless horror and despair." Taken literally, the threat that some will be left behind at the second coming always disturbed me.  Is it really the fear that one will remain unselected that moves people to God?  If so, how long can the fear be sustained? 

I would rather believe that the resurrected Christ is here right now working  to reconcile the world to God.  Some respond to the call and some do not.  What do you think?  What difference does your answer make in the way you live your life?  Could both interpretations be true? Are they mutually exclusive?

Pray that you will be ready to answer God's call.  Pray to be a vessel to house God's Spirit.  Pray to enable God to work his grace through you.