Matthew 24:32-51 | The Coming of Christ

"Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming ... you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." (Matt 24:42, 44)

Thousands of books have been written, sermons preached about the coming of Christ to take His people to Himself. There is much speculation about the time and the event, but there are certain things that Christ wanted us to know. Some of these are revealed in Matthew 24:32-51.

There will be multiple signs occurring that indicate His coming, outlined in Matthew 24:1-31.
When we see these signs, we should realize that “He is near, right at the door” (vs. 33).
Although “heaven and earth” will pass away, what Christ said will never pass away. His Word and His promises are true and eternal. What He said in Matthew 24 is going to happen! (vs. 35).
No one knows when He will come. Not even Jesus nor the angels know. It is determined by the Father (vs. 36).
It will be like the days of Noah. People will be oblivious and His sudden return will happen. (vs. 37)
When He returns, He will gather all those who are true believers to Himself. Lost and saved will be working together; the saved man will be taken, the lost man left behind (vs. 37-41).
Our task is to be alert and ready and faithfully doing what He has asked us to do, as good servants of Christ (vs. 42-44).
If we are faithful, He will “put us in charge” in heaven of what He has and does. Those who have rejected Him will suffer eternal judgment in the place where there is “weeping and gnashing of teeth (vs. 45-51).

All of this is coming. It could be today. How would you live today if you realized He was coming? May God give us grace to so live and to tell everyone we know that the King is coming again!

Father, thank You for the promise of Your coming! Thank You that You have given us enough to know that it is going to happen. I pray that I will be alert and ready—looking for Your return—and that You will find me at that moment faithfully doing all that You ask! Help me to realize that my greatest task is described in Your final words to “Make disciples of all nations” and be Your witness to the ends of the earth.