Ready or Not Here He Comes (Matthew 24)

I wish I was smart enough to write something very intelligent about Matthew 24. But to be honest, the passage confuses me. If someone can make a prophetic map out of what is written here, then they are a lot smarter than I am. I have studied Matthew 24 and thought I had it all figured out. But then I compare my conclusions to other prophetic passages of Scripture and I get all confused again. I know that Matthew 24 makes clear that Jesus is coming again. And I know that Matthew 24 makes clear there are going to be some tough times on earth before Jesus comes. I also know that Matthew 24 says that there will be a judgment after Jesus' coming. Other than that, I am lost. (Maybe one day I will have to have Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins explain it to me!)

Actually, I do understand the main message of Matthew 24. The main message of Matthew 24 is "Be ready!" The disciples start the chapter by admiring all of Jerusalem's big buildings. The temple complex was truly one of the wonders of the ancient world, even if it isn't officially identified as such. It is no wonder that the disciples would be impressed even after many visits to the capital. But Jesus warns about being too impressed. He says that not one stone of these buildings would be left upon another. He tells the disciples that they will all be destroyed. The disciples probably think that Jesus is starting to sound like the political messiah they want, and so barely able to hide their anticipation they ask, "When will all this happen?" In Matthew 24, Jesus gives His answer.

The when this will happen part of the answer escapes me. But I get the other part. I get Jesus' message to be ready. In verse 44, Jesus says: "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Verse 44 is really an interesting verse. It turns the common interpretation of this chapter on its head. Most people look at Matthew 24 as a puzzle to be solved- put all the pieces together and you will be known as the smart guy who nailed the day Jesus was coming. But verse 44 tells us that this chapter is not a puzzle to be solved. Jesus says that He will come when we least expect Him. People won't know the day. In essence He says, "Don't worry about the date of my return. Just be ready. Have faith in Me. Be serving God. If you are ready the date doesn't matter."

The question of Matthew 24 is not when is Jesus coming? The question of Matthew 24 is are you ready? If you are ready, the timing is inconsequential. You will be prepared whenever and however it happens. Matthew 24:45-47 says: "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions."