“Now learn this parable from the fig tree [*and all the trees]: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near— at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. (Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31; *Luke 21:29-33)
Jesus had just finished prophesying to the disciples about the coming woes and great tribulation on the earth, but He reassured them that the "church", the body of believers in Him would be raptured up to Him before things got their worse. (read THE GOSPEL: Jesus Last Bible Study - Coming Woes; Tribulation or Caught Up) As in previous studies, He used the example of the fig tree and paying attention to the signs of things happening around us to know and understand when certain prophecies are being fulfilled. (read THE GOSPEL: Lesson of the Fig Tree; Believe the Signs, Believe the Word)
But regardless what signs we may believe we can read and understand, we are never to believe we can predict when He will return. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Mark 13:32; Matthew 24:36) Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:33-37)
But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. [Genesis 6-7] Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:37-44)
"Watch!" doesn't mean we are to stop doing. “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 24:45-51) ...cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:11)
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36) No, we of our own will can not live perfect lives, no matter how we try. But through the empowerment of God's Holy Spirit in us, ...you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5:48) For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. (I Thessalonian 5:2-3 NLT)
But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. (I Thessalonians 5:4-11 NLT)
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