Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:1-51
The television series Parks and Recreation follows the bureaucratic travails of a plucky city employee played by Amy Poehler. One episode tells the wild tale of the Reasonabilsts, a doomsday cult. They gather in a city park and await the return of their immortal lizard, king Zorp, on the predicted day of his return. He does not return, and the Reasonabilists are left to recalculate Zorp’s reappearance and book the city park for another day.
While played as kooky, the Reasonabilists speak to something inside of us all. We long to see what’s next, to know that what we believe is true—that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again. We long to know with certainty that it is true. So we pick our way through Scripture, hoping to find the exact answers to the greatest mystery of our faith. I went to seminary, read a lot of books, took a class on the end times, and still find it completely and totally fascinating. But I have no answers—only a fire of faith that is stoked by mystery and kept alive by the gift of the Holy Spirit.
When Jesus speaks in Matthew 24, He speaks with authority and hope. His specific audience of disciples and followers would experience many of the things He tells them they will, in and around AD 70 when the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed after a siege by Roman forces. This passage reaches backward and forward, to the Old Testament and the new, reminding us that no message of Jesus stands alone. He quotes Isaiah 13 in verse 29, using the prophet’s language to describe the fall of Babylon and the pending fall of Jerusalem. In verse 44, Jesus says, “the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect,” and it is echoed in 1 Thessalonians 5 and Revelation 3. Jesus speaks of the past (Babylon), to the present audience (predicting their suffering in Jerusalem), and to the future, promising that His kingdom will triumph in the end.
The hope Jesus communicates in this passage—these incredibly hard and often confusing declarations about suffering on a cosmic scale—is found in verses 13–14. Jesus predicts that many will leave the faith but those who remain will be saved. And then, “this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations.”
The good news will endure because it is true. Jesus would die, Jesus would rise, and we know that Jesus will come again. We don’t know the day or time, but we know our earthly lives will be marked with suffering and sin until He comes. But when He does, His kingdom will flourish, and we will experience no more tears, death, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4).
Written by Melanie Rainer
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42 thoughts on "The Coming of the Son of Man"
Amen
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I remember reading of women and their children standing on frozen ponds in the dead of winter being asked by communists to renounce their faith and being slaughtered when they didn’t. And they were joyful in those moments. That is faith. So my victory in being Christ like and forgiving those in my church peddling misinformation is quite small. But as the vote for disaffiliation happens in 9 days…. I do ask for prayer in having all come to the table as siblings in Christ, forgiving, honest , respectful and loving no matter the future, no matter there vote no matter where all are dispersed.
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Maybe this will help. This explanation is from http://www.enduringtheword.com
c. Cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: The faithful and wise servant was rewarded, but so was the evil servant. He was rewarded for His wickedness, and he would have the portion with the hypocrites he deserved.
i. Cut him in two: “The probable meaning is: will cut him in two (so to speak) with a whip = thrash him, the base slave, unmercifully. It is a strong word, selected to sympathy with the master’s rage.” (Bruce)
Amen! Today’s reading really got me thinking. I pray we all keep strengthening our faith everyday.
Me too!
I have to say that these readings do make me a little anxious. I appreciate all of your comments. Good night ladies:)
A humbling reminder about how to live our days in a way that pleases the Lord. The wait can be long. Our challenges can seem never ending and like we are unseen. But in the suffering and the pain, if our faith endures, we will be rewarded. Am I living my life in such a way?
Can someone explain what Matthew 24:51 means? I looked at some commentary and that made me more confused. Also, thank you to everyone who prayed for my Aunt in the hospital. She passed away on the weekend and I miss her very much. ❤️
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The revolution from the kingdom of God shall come to invade earth. The incorruptible takes over the corruptible. Often we can’t wait for Jesus’ second coming, but, are we really ready for what must come before that? Are we ready to be delivered up to be afflicted, to be killed and hated, offended and betrayed for His name’s sake (Matthew 24:9-10)? For it is not a joke, but surely will happen- actually it has already happened. My past season of two or three years has been nothing but witnessing an unusual amount of offences and betrayals in church and families. When afflictions hit, I find that strength to go on comes from the place of prayers, alone prayers, prayers in the spirit, tears filled prayers from a war worn heart, with a faintest desire to go on. But I prayed He kept me going for His sake, though I confessed to Him loud and clear I did not want to go on. “What shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour? But for this cause, come I unto this hour, Father, glorify Thy name (John 12:27-28). Only grace can sustain us to NOT be troubled in the end time, in the beginning of sorrows to endure to the end for the promised glory (2 Timothy 2:12). God has not made a mistake in allowing the fires of sorrows. In God we trust, we bank on His characters & promises, in spite of the many prophesied sufferings. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings (Romans 5:3), only by grace alone.
Praying..
@Sharon Jersey girl: salvation for your in-laws, safe trip, grace for wisdom and softened hearts.
@Michelle P: the power of God to shift awareness and focus, to grant revelations and unity for your family. Daily SRT habits are awesome ;) love you sis.
@Gramsiesue: amen, the cheery lifestyle of partying/indulging caught people by surprise at Noah’s time, and will again in our time. Great reminder.
@Charlie: thank you for showing us the extremity of unhealthy fear for end times. I never knew how destructive that could be. Praying for your MIL and any of us suffering from this fear.
@Taylor: praying for your small group next week. I recently joined a small group too started last week. Nervous lol…but God. Praying for the both of us and other shes in same boat.
@Rhonda: loved what you shared <3
Be blessed dear sisters.
What my heart longs for…
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
Revelation 21:4
Jesus, You are my Hope, my Rock, my Comfort, my Savior.
I cannot wait for the day our savior comes again. My heart is heavy today as our sweet friend who suffered a stroke a little over a week ago is not getting any better. Her family has chosen to take her off the ventilator and transition her to comfort care. We are all so devastated as she is only 61. I’m praying their family can feel some sort of comfort during this time. I know our savior loves us and there is a reason for all of our sufferings but sometimes it can be so hard.
No more tears, death, crying or pain. I can’t wait!
WOW!! What a beautiful, awe-inspiring and thought-provoking devotional. Loved Melanie’s devotional. I don’t remember reading all of this Scripture at one time, it really made me think about my faith, my God, Christ and the Holy Spirit. Will I really be able to stand up for what I believe no matter what —- NO MATTER WHAT? Don’t get me wrong, I love God, Christ and the Holy Spirit BUT… BUT GOD… I don’t know how much I would be willing to endure, I want to say I would give my life, but when it comes right down to it…. I believe we all need to think on it.
Be blessed and examine your faith, how strong is it REALLY, sisters?
How awesome it would be to be alive when the rapture happens! Lord – may You find me ready!! My hope & prayer is that those I love will also come to know Christ as Lord & Savior, before the rapture and before they die. My father-in-law became gravely ill on New Years Eve. He ended up on life support and the doctors didn’t give much hope…BUT GOD! Through the prayers of MANY God pulled my unsaved FIL back from the brink of death, back from an eternal death! He has been given another chance – praise God!!! This Sunday we will be driving to RI to see him, he just came home this week. PLEASE PRAY that my husband & I have an “alone” opportunity with him to give him the gospel and PLEASE PRAY for his salvation & my mother-in-laws. (Al & Phyllis)
Blessings to you all on this Thankful Thursday!
Am I still living with a sense of the Lords return or have I “settled in” to life here and now. Am I careless with those closest to me? Do I think I have days to respond to the Lords prompt that I’m not promised? Is there any part of my heart that is drawn to the excess this world offers? Lord, search me and try me and see if there be any wicked way in me. Lead me in the way everlasting
48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, – Matthew 24:48-49
This stood out to me because we live in a world that has little to no sense of what is truly urgent. It’s so easy to settle in to life as it is and lose sight of what we know is coming. Not talking about fear or worry, just a reevaluation of my attitudes. Have I become careless in how I treat those around? Do I assume I have days to respond to the Lord’s prompting that I really don’t have? Have I allowed any part of my life to be infiltrated by the excess in this world? Lord, I lay my heart before you, show me where I’ve stopped living for Your coming and Your glory.
CHARLIE – I too feel as your MIL, but I’ve tried to change my focus to the work that needs to be done. There are so many that have not heard the word.
I liked the comment “Don’t be lulled to sleep by the world. And when things get crazy, don’t be afraid. Share the gospel no matter what.” I feel so inadequate. I have a dear friend I would love to share with, but timing is utmost important. She knows my faith and I’m hoping I can live it and not be pulled into the temptations of the world while with her. Prayers would be great for that!!
RHONDA – I to have a ferocious interest in WW11. I have read so many books. Message me some of your favorites and I will do the same.
48 But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ 49 and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, – Matthew 24:48-49
10 Then many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another. – Matthew 24:10 Perhaps this is why it is so important we should “LOVE ONE ANOTHER” !!! Something else I want to sit in today is the fact- I could die in a car wreck on my way to the market or have a heart attack right here as I read my Bible- am I ready to meet Jesus? We can all do better in the name of Jesus and my hope today is that I am reminded of this constantly and act as often as the opportunity presents itself!
May I exhibit “a fire of faith stoked by mystery and kept alive by the Holy Spirit” every day I walk this earth. Thank you Melanie.
Good Word GramsieSue!
Good morning She’s!
It was wonderful reading through your comments yesterday. I am praising and praying with you as I do, and lots to ponder on. Today’s passages are some of my most revered! I love the expectation of the Lord coming, with a trumpet sound like lightning to the east and the west, bringing those that love him up to himself! Other times I dread the birthing pains, the things this world will go through. We are so lucky that we have lived in “good times” basically in America for so long. New York might have gotten a taste when the towers fell and there was destruction and fear. I am an avid reader of WW2 books, and I can’t imagine that kind of horror, fear, depravity, and hopelessness they lived with. But it makes me realize my need for something greater than this world that is of wars, and rumors of war, that I can stand of the solid rock of Jesus Christ, my Savior, King of Kings, that will come to save us. My mom and I discussed this in her hospital room exactly 1 week before she passed away. At the time, she had been rushed to the emergency room and I thought we had lost her, but they had saved her. So that night we were discussing end times, and seeing Jesus, and she could not wait, she said she wanted to go before the rapture. That it would be so exciting to see it all come to fruition. What a blessing. It is so much easier to know when our loved ones pass that they know they will see Jesus. It is such a comfort. I tell my loved ones I can’t wait to see Jesus as well. Yes, I want to do my best and be about His work and sow seeds, But…to be in eternity, to be made new-no pain, no more tears or fear, that has to be our focus to live in this afflicted, scary world…to keep our eyes on Jesus. And “oh glorious day” when we will see him face to face. I want to give that gift to my loved ones, to ease their suffering, when I die (there is a 100 % chance!). That they too, will put their trust in something bigger than this life.
Have a good, blessed day friends.
I’m reminded of the people in Noah’s time. What kept them from listening to Noah’s message and obeying? The common interests in life-eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage. They lost the Best by living for the Good. It is a dangerous thing to get so absorbed in the pursuits of life that we forget Jesus is coming!
While everyone who has trusted Jesus Christ as Savior is going to heaven, not every believer is ready to meet the Lord.
Looking for His appearance and loving His appearing should motivate us to be faithful and loving.
I know that I get caught up in the living life now and very seldom think about when Jesus returns. I keep reading His Word, trying to live a ‘good’ life, trying to grow in faith….but is that enough? I think not. When did I quit serving? When did I become so selfish?
Much to ponder today.
Hugs to all my sisters this morning. ❤️
Amen
How sad for your mil, @Charlie! Jesus taught truth and the end times are part of that truth. But what a beautiful time for the bride of Christ! Us! So we must be about the Father’s business in drawing others to Him. Yet through your earthly sufferings remind ourselves of the joy that is promised!
@michelle Patire, prayers for peace in your family and to come to the full knowledge of Jesus. And peace for you in the waiting!
@ lehua lifting your job situation. The first couple of weeks are always the hardest. You’ve got this! (And Jesus has you!)
CHARLIE – Well said. I agree!
Amen
The past two years at IF Gathering there has been a scripture translation campaign- it is likely that The Word will be translated into ever heart language within the next ~30 years!! I do think there are a few scriptures that point to this needing to be fullfilled before Christs return. V24 today “This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” Maybe the time is near. Praise God! Come Lord Jesus!
My mother-in-law obsessed about the end times. Her worry ruined her last decade (or even two!) of what should have been good life. She was anxious and miserable, always believing the world was crumbling about her. I don’t think Jesus meant for us to sit around counting earthquakes and fires and scaring the daylights out of teenagers with stories of “the rapture.” I believe Jesus intended for us to wait with expectation and joy, to love our neighbors, and to love him above all else.
Help me to be ready Lord. ❤️
Thanks ladies for the prayers <3 Still feeling pretty clogged up today. @Sarah D so cool your God moment! Also glad you joined a small group. I'm joining one as well that starts next week and I pray it is fruitful and leads to a sense of community I also feel that I am lacking. @Michelle Patire praying for you and your family's hearts that they would draw near to Jesus.
I pray I would always be "ready" by standing firm in my faith and living with that sense of urgency to encourage my friends and family who don't know Jesus.
Verse 12 jumped out at me– with so much bad news, so much strife now and throughout history, I confess my love for humanity grows cold. But no! Only through Jesus can we still love and still be a witness of His truth and light until He comes in triumph.
Amen @Andrea P! Great scripture you brought up!! I
@Mercy <33 still here daily! :)
Last night I got out of the shower and overheard one of my parents telling my 21 year old brother that he "shouldn't worry about end times" because they don't think it'll happen in his lifetime. I passed the conversation as it wasn't my place (there has been a lot of attack towards me in my house, so I'm trying to speak when I feel led). But as I read the Scriptures this morning I am upset that this was spoken. That we "shouldn't worry"– I pray my brother does!! That he becomes concerned about watching and preparing his "house" for Christ! It isn't worth brushing off. Even if it doesn't happen when he is alive. We need to be about the Father's business!
God, please give me mercy for my family that struggles to even know you and your Word. They don't read the Bible – though they hear it, weekly, some of them. God, help me be patient with them as they come to a greater understanding of who You are. Help me trust You in the process.
Amen
Amen!!
From the Bible Re-Cap: Stay awake. Don’t be lulled to sleep by the world. And when things gets crazy, don’t be afraid. Share the Gospel no matter what.” When Jesus say to “straighten up and raise your heads for your redemption is drawing near”, He means that we, his elect do not have to cower in fear. I can trust in HIM and have peace in the uncertainty! Thanks be to God!
We are studying the Olivet discourse in our Sunday morning life group right now. Some of it is difficult to understand. When is the rapture, when is the second coming, when is the end of the tribulation, etc. but what I do know, is that Jesus is coming back for his people. I may not know when, but I know that I need to be sharing the gospel with every person I can.
Everything in the Bible indicates that the Lord may come, anytime. I pray that I will be found faithful and sharing His word until that day that I die or I am lifted in the sky.
Have a blessed day sisters. I am praying for each one of you. I pray that the Lord would help you through your difficult situations, that you would keep your eyes on Him, that He would bless you abundantly wherever you are, and whatever you are doing for His glory. Amen
Every generation thinks that things cannot get any worse, yet here we are still waiting for the Lord’s return. Most days I do not find myself looking for Jesus’ return as there is still so much work for the church to do, so many who have not yet heard of God’s gift…
Yet I join the Spirit and the Bride who say, “Come.”
DOROTHY – what an exciting opportunity for you