Mathew 24:36-41


Matthew 24:36-41
36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. 38 “For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 “Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. 41 “Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one will be left.

THE TIME OF CHRIST’S RETURN IS UNKNOWN: One of the most arrogant things a person can do is to make a prediction concerning the time of Christ’s return.  Jesus tells His disciples that only the Father knows when that event will take place.  He specifically says that neither the angels nor the Son have been told the time of Christ’s return.  If God has not revealed this information to the Son it is highly arrogant to claim to have received a revelation from the Father that was not given to the Son.  It is not or job to try to predict when Christ will return.  Our job is to obey the Word of God and advance the kingdom of God until He returns.

THE WAY OF CHRIST’S RETURN IS UNEXPECTED: The flood hit the earth at a time that was unexpected.  There was no reason for the flood to be unexpected.  Noah had warned the people of the coming judgment, but there had never been a flood or even rain before this time.  The people decided to ignore the warnings and just go on eating and drinking like normal.  Once the flood hit, it was too late.  The return of Christ will be similar.  Believers all around the world warn their friends and neighbors that Christ will return to judge and rule the earth.  Most of the time we are treated as fools for believing what they call a myth.  People’s unbelief will not prevent the event from taking place.  Just like the flood, the return of Christ will happen.  We are called to continue to warn others of this day no matter how they might respond.  Some will believe.  Most will call us fools.  Some will get angry.  How people respond to us is not our responsibility.

THE RESULT OF CHRIST’S RETURN IS UNDERSTOOD: When Christ returns it will be like the judgment in the days of Noah in that there will be many people removed from the earth.  However, it will be different from the days of Noah in that there will be two men in a field, or two women grinding at the mill but only one will be taken.  In Noah’s day, almost everyone was taken away while only Noah and his family were saved.  This passage is often used to describe the rapture of the church when believers will be caught up into heaven while unbelievers remain on earth during a time of great tribulation.  However, it is far more likely that this passage is refereeing to the second coming of Christ where the unbelievers will be taken away in judgment, they will be killed and only believers will remain on earth to shine in the kingdom of God. 

APPLICATION: Don’t try to make predictions or be distracted by other who try to predict the coming of Christ.  Only the Father knows this date.  Prepare for the return of Christ and help others to prepare for His coming by trusting the work He did on the cross during His first coming.  Rest assured that the Lord Jesus will return and judge those who have rejected Him and reign over and with those who have placed their faith in Him.

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