When Delay Becomes Damnation

History doesn’t whisper its finale. History ends with the King of Kings returning. Jesus says when “the lights go out…the heavens shall be shaken, and then shall appear the Son of man” Matt. 24:29. This isn’t poetry meant to cause controversy. This is prophecy meant to provoke hearts.

In verses 29-31, Jesus paints a picture that cries majesty.

Jesus starts by declaring, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened…” ~Matt. 24:29. Creation stands up when the Creator comes down. When Jesus returns, there will be no polite applause from the universe. The world will shake. God hardwired creation to respond to His Son, and when Jesus steps out in authority, even creation gets the picture.

Then Jesus drops the linchpin moment of all history. “And then shall appear… the sign of the Son of man in heaven” ~Matthew 24:30. Notice the response. “And THEN shall all the tribes of the earth mourn” Matt. 24:30. The world mourns when Jesus returns, not because He’s vague, but because He’s unmistakable. Faith won’t be required, it will be seen. Truth won’t be accepted, it will be displayed. The same Jesus that came in frailty the first time will return with power the second time “with power and great glory” Matt. 24:30. When Jesus comes back, no one will have to cast a vote on who Jesus is. He returns alone and already crowned.

Next, Jesus describes how angels will fly out to rescue His own. The Father watches His children. From the clouds of heaven to the outer reaches of the earth, they will be gathered efficiently. The Bible is clear that our redemption is secure. God initiates it. God completes it.

Then Jesus switches gears and tells a story about a fig tree. When the fig tree leaves sprout, you know summer is coming. Jesus isn’t teaching us how to read dates off a calendar. He’s teaching us to read the seasons of life. While Jesus is stern about listening to the warning, He’s equally explicit when it comes to watching frenzies. Listen carefully when He says, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” ~Matthew 24:35. All of creation is passing away. Your jobs. Your wealth. Your health. But the word of Jesus supersedes the sun.

Then Jesus drops one sentence that cuts through every age. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man” ~Matthew 24:36. This isn’t because Jesus forgot to mention it to Moses. This is because Jesus wanted you to remember. He concealed that knowledge for a reason. Because when the day comes that you figure it out, you will have spent your entire life on earth waiting for Jesus.

One day wasn’thidden. We know Jesus will return. When was hidden. There is a day coming when pretense dies, and all are revealed. Jesus compares this to the days of Noah. Life went on as usual. No one panicked until it was too late. Judgment didn’t come because they had no idea when Jesus would return. Judgment came because they didn’t care that Jesus warned them about repentance. Noah screamed till he was old and gray, but no one listened until it was too late.

Jesus pulls it back from Genesis and sets the stage in their hometown. Two men in a field. Two women grinding at meal. Same occupation. Same countryside. Different results. One was taken, one was left. Location doesn’t equate loyalty. Because you can live close to the Word of God and still be far from the heart of God.

He finishes with an illustration about a master returning home at an unknown date. While He’s away, the diligent servant occupies himself with assigned duties. The undiligent servant assumes He’ll be late, and begins to live like Jesus doesn’t matter. That day came for the undiligent servant faster than he knew, and his life became an example for why nobody should follow his lead. Jesus says, “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing” ~Matthew 24:46. Readiness looks like responsibility.

I don’t care how much you talk about Jesus coming back. What matters is if you live like He will come back. Jesus is coming back. History doesn’t breathe its last breath. It shouts it.

There will be a day when Jesus steps out on the stage of history, and there are only two places to be. Will you live like history is ending?

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Exodus 23:14-25:40
Matthew 24:29-51
Psalm 30:1-12
Proverbs 7:24-27

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New Testament: Matthew 24:29-51

Summary:
The Coming of the Son of Man
The Lesson of the Fig Tree
No One Knows That Day and Hour

And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
~ Matthew 24:31

from one end of heaven to the other. All the “elect” from heaven and earth are gathered and assembled before Christ. This culmination of world history ushers in the millennial reign of Christ (Revelation 20:4).  ~ John MacArthur

Will you be included in the gathering?

Larry Norman – I Wish We’d All Been Ready

Overview: Matthew 14 – 28 – Click Here

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