By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton
Focal Passage: Matthew 24:3-8,29-32,42-44
How certain are you that the sky is blue? How certain are you that two plus two equals four? How certain are you that the sun will rise tomorrow? How certain are you that you will be working the same job five years from now?
In our lives we deal with things and situations where we have varying degrees of certainty. Some things are readily verifiable, while others stand on shaky ground. Our Christian essential this week should be met with the highest confidence. Brothers and sisters, Jesus is coming again!
This comes to us as a direct promise from the Lord Jesus. It comes to us as sure testimony from other writers of Scripture. Some of the very last words that we find in the book of Revelation are, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Once again, these are the words of Christ.
How do we know this? Well, they are written in red letters, for one thing. In all seriousness, Jesus identified Himself as the speaker in verse 16. How certain are you of Christ’s return?
Matthew 24:3-8: This conversation we are entering takes place during Holy Week. The disciples of Jesus point out how beautiful and ornate the temple stands in Jerusalem.
This prompts Jesus to alert them to its coming destruction. Now, the intrigued disciples desire to know when these things will occur.
While it is difficult at times to discern when Jesus speaks of the temple and when he speaks of his coming at the end of the age, the truth is not lost on us. Remember, the Spirit of truth is still here guiding us into all the truth.
I find it interesting that Jesus begins the main address with the call to watch. Deception is an ever-ready tool of the enemy for any occasion. But, Jesus provides the remedy. Troubled times were set to fall on Israel in about 40 years.
The temple would be ransacked and destroyed and many deaths would occur among the Jewish people. Uncertain times await us who patiently wait for Jesus to return in power and glory. The remedy of the Spirit of truth and the word of truth help us to stand on solid ground. They provide us with certainty, so that we will not be deceived, nor be overcome with despair.
Matthew 24:29-32: And why would we despair when Jesus is going to visibly return to the earth? This will be a cosmic event. The sun, moon, and stars are all affected. The world will see this amazing spectacle.
This description by Jesus clearly reminds us of the words of Daniel 7:13-14. Prophecy will be fulfilled. Promises will be fulfilled. Certainty should be shooting through the roof right now. Christ is coming again to gather his children unto himself.
Matthew 24:42-44: Since Jesus will clearly return in visible form to the earth in power and glory, we must be on the alert. Have you made the appropriate preparation? Has your family made preparation? Your friends and neighbors? Preparation involves believing in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation. Alert and ready means you are actively serving the Lord waiting upon his certain return. How ready are you? B&R