Focal Passage: Matthew 24:32-44
It might seem strange — here in January — to still be in a series of lessons entitled “Looking Forward to CHRISTmas.” We could also wonder why today’s lesson in that series concerns Christ’s Second Coming — His Second Advent. Remembering that “Advent” is another term for CHRISTmas, I checked the dictionary.
Advent is defined as “… a time of waiting and preparation for both the celebration of Jesus’ birth at CHRISTmas and the return of Christ at the Second Coming.” Aha! So it’s very natural to conclude this series with a lesson on Looking Forward with Expectation — to the “Second Advent”!
Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent, so both Testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ. One scholar has estimated that in the Old Testament alone there are 1,845 references to Christ’s second coming. In the New Testament 318 such references are found — or one out of every 30 verses.
For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s first advent, there are eight that look forward to His second! Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to Christ’s return.
Dawson
One of those N.T. references is our focal passage today, Matthew 24: 32-44. It’s taken from a conversation between Jesus and His disciples — where Jesus answered three questions the disciples asked about His Second Coming.
He had just said, in response to them calling attention to the magnificence of the Temple building, “not one stone would be left here on another that will not be thrown down.” Out of shock from hearing that, the disciples asked three things: “When will these things happen? What is the sign of Your coming? What is the sign of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:1-2)
Jesus often answered questions with other questions. But this time He gave three direct answers. He dealt with “the when” question in verses 4-14. The “sign of Your coming” question was handled by Jesus in verses 15-31. And He answered “the sign of the end” question with the words in our text, verses 32-44. (In the rest of chapter 24 and all 46 verses of chapter 25 Jesus fills in details of the end times, with parables and illustrations. Reading the full context would be helpful for a better understanding of the last days.) But what great endtime truths did Jesus give in the focal passage?
1. Some things help you know that the Second Coming is getting nearer. (Verses 32-35) World-shaking events are simply clues—like signs of the changing seasons — that for the generation experiencing those things, His Return is quickly approaching.
2. No one but God the Father knows the exact date Jesus will return. (Verse 36) “Date-setters” might be well-meaning, but they absolutely do not know.
3. Life will seemingly go on as usual until Jesus suddenly appears. (Verses 37-43) Before the Flood, people were going about their normal activities. Then “Boom!” — the deluge happened. So it will be ON THAT DAY.
4. We should all be alert and on ready for His Second Advent. (Verse 44) An early 70’s song said it well: “I Wish We’d All Been Ready.” Are YOU ready? You CAN be: Repent of sin. Receive Christ as Savior. Report for service! B&R — Dawson is pastor emeritus at First Baptist Church, Columbia, and has served as transitional interim pastor at numerous churches across the state since his retirement from full-time ministry.
