Matthew 24: Signs of His Coming (5)
Pray Psalm 24.9, 10.
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Sing Psalm 24.9, 10.
Foundation: How Firm a Foundation
O Who is this King, Who approaches our gate? His might is before us, His glory is great!
This King is the LORD of all glory above, Who comes to indwell us in mercy and love!
Read Matthew 24.1-44; Meditate on verses 36-44.
Meditate on the phrase “be ready”.
Prepare.
1. Concerning His coming, what did Jesus tell us to do?
2. What will the world be like when He returns?
Meditate.It makes no sense to speculate on the specific details of the times and seasons leading up to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has told us that “no one knows” (v. 36) and that “it is not for you to know” (Acts 1.7) the precise conditions prior to His return.
The world will look pretty much like it did in the days of Noah (vv. 37-39): people going about their business, doing their thing, and not paying much attention to God or His will. But as Noah prepared for the coming judgment of God, so that he would “be ready” (v. 44) when it came, so also must we. Suddenly, without warning, Jesus will burst through the clouds and the sound of a trumpet will cause every eye to look up and see Him.
We’ll want to make sure we’re ready for that day, even though we can’t really know when it is.
At that time, some people will be taken away from the earth suddenly (vv. 40, 41). These are those who believe in Jesus and “are alive and remain” as He returns (1 Thess. 4.17). As we have seen, (vv. 30, 31; cf. Rev. 19), all the army of Jesus will join in His victorious return.
Our duty is to “watch” (vv. 42-44). But what are we supposed to watch? For the signs, yes, but not the details. Instead, we must watch ourselves, mainly, to make sure we are being good stewards of our time and opportunities, seeking the Kingdom and righteousness of the Lord always. We will “be ready” to join Him in the air when He returns by watching and preparing for His Kingdom, day by day.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
What are some things that you do when you are expecting company at your home?
Do you clean the house? Put fresh sheets on the bed and clean towels in the bathroom?
You probably bring in food, and even do some preparations ahead of time?
Most assuredly, you want your company to feel welcomed and loved.
So, whatever it takes to accomplish that—you do.
Your guests might be arriving at the airport.
The airport posts different arrival times:
STA-scheduled time of arrival
ETA-estimated time of arrival
ATA-actual time of arrival
Even with all that, the plane might be delayed, or with good winds, maybe even early.
The point being:
You know they’re coming.
You make all the joyful and anticipatory preparations.
And you get to the airport early so you will be there on time.
Jesus is coming to visit us—one final time on earth.
We will do well to prepare extensively; then eagerly anticipate His arrival.
“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
Let all you do be done with love” (1 Cor. 16.13, 14).
“Behold, I AM coming as a thief.
Blessed is he who watches,
and keeps his garments,
lest he walk naked and they see his shame” (Rev. 16.15).
“‘For this is like the waters of Noah to Me…
For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed,
but My kindness shall not depart from you,
nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,’
says the LORD, Who has mercy on you” (Is. 54.9, 10).
So,
People get ready there’s a train a comin’
You don’t need no baggage you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesel’s hummin’
You don’t need no ticket you just thank the Lord.
So people get ready for the train to Jordan
Picking up passengers coast to coast
Faith is the key open the doors and board them
There’s hope for all among those loved the most.
(Curtis Mayfield, 1964)
ATA Unknown.Reflect.
1. What does daily working to “be ready” look like in your life?
2. Who “watches” with you over the various aspects of your life in Christ?
3. What role does thanksgiving play in your getting ready and watching over your soul?
You do not know when He will come. But you know assuredly that He will come. If you do not continue to watch, you will not be ready on that day. John Chrysostom (344-407), The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 77.2-3
Pray Psalm 24.1-8.
The Lord is coming soon. Our calling is to prepare well and be ready. Seek His help and Presence for the day ahead.
Sing Psalm 24.1-8.
Foundation: How Firm a Foundation
The earth is the LORD’s, as is all it contains; all the world and its peoples He daily sustains.
He founded it fast on the seas long ago, and bid gentle rivers throughout it to flow.
Oh, who may ascend to the LORD’s holy place? And who may appear to His glorious face?
All they who are clean in their hearts and their hands and true in their souls with the Savior shall stand.
A blessing all they from the LORD shall receive who seek Him and on His salvation believe.
For these are His people, the children of grace, who earnestly, eagerly seek for His face.
O lift up your heads, all you gates of the soul, for the Savior would enter and render you whole!
The LORD strong and mighty in battle draws nigh; He rules in His glory above us on high.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest: This week: Our Read Moore podcast continues our readings on St. Patrick from the book, Patrick: A Devotional History. Our Crosfigell teaching letter is pursuing a series on the spiritual poetry of the Celtic Revival. The ReVisioncolumn continues our new study of “Everyday Christianity”. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
