INTRODUCTION

1. The Doctrine of the 2nd Coming

a) It will fall on deaf ears

b) It is not easily comprehended

c) Many will not bother to study in depth or detail

2. This is a solemn reality

a) It is not just this Doctrine

b) Many do not really pay a whole lot of attention to spiritual matters

c) Life on earth takes up all the attention and focus

 

THE DAY AND HOUR OF THE LORD’S RETURN

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Matthew 24:36

1. Seeking knowledge

a) Day and hour of the Lord’s Return

b) There are some who attempt to calculate

c) All efforts have proven to be in vain

2. Hidden in God the Father

a) Not even the angels in heaven have this knowledge

b) God has not revealed this to them

 

AS IN THE DAYS OF NOAH

37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,

39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Matthew 24:37-39; (Cf. Genesis 6-7; 2 Peter 2)

1. Analogy of Noah

2. The warning about the Flood was given

a) Eating and drinking

b) Marrying and giving in marriage

3. Until the day Noah entered the ark

a) Noah prepared the ark

b) His family was safe

4. The flood came and took them all away

a) Nobody else was prepared

b) The Flood destroyed all

5. So also will the coming of the Son of Man be

a) Many will scoff

b) They will reject

c) They will be unprepared till it is too late

 

VITAL WORDS OF WARNING

40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.

41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.

1. One who will be taken

2. The other left

3. Not all will be saved! Matthew 24:40-41

 

WATCH AND BE READY FOR THE LORD’S RETURN

42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:42-44

1. Watch therefore

a) To be watchful

b) Therefore you also be ready

c) We do not know when the Lord will return

d) Only that He will return

2. Analogy of a watchful householder

a) He is not afraid of the thief

b) He is not careless

c) He will not leave his house open for the thief to rob him

3. Be ready

a) The Son of Man is coming back

b) He will come back unexpectedly

c) Be always ready!

 

CONCLUSION

1. Important questions to ask ourselves

a) Are we watchful?

b) Are we ready for the Lord’s Return?

2. What steps are taking to be ready?

3. Areas of Relevance and Concern:

a) Heart

b) Mind

c) Focus

d) Faith

e) Life