INTRODUCTION

1. Questions were raised by the Disciples about the Return of the Lord Jesus

2. The Answers given:

a) Not easy to comprehend

b) Many related issues had to be sorted out

c) Eschatology is a complex doctrine

i) It involves Israel

ii) It also involves the Church

iii) It further involves the world at large

3. The Challenges

a) To know the Doctrine of the 2nd Coming better

b) To respond appropriately as we learn more about the End Times

 

BIBLICAL INSTRUCTION AS TO HOW WE ARE TO RESPOND

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

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.

45 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?

46 Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.

47 Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.

48 But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’

49 and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,

50 the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,

51 and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 24:36, 42-51

1. What our Focus should not be!

a) Trying to figure out when the Lord Jesus would return

b) Not even the angels in heaven have this knowledge

2. The Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servant

a) The servant who would be commended

i) He is faithful

ii) He is wise

iii) He is diligent

iv) He will be rewarded

b) The servant who would be condemned

i) He is evil

ii) He is devious in his thoughts

iii) He is defiantly arrogant

iv) He will be given his just desserts!

3. Vital Lessons to Remember

a) Watchfulness

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” Matthew 24:42

i) Awareness

ii) Alertness

iii) Assimilation

b) Readiness

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

i) Constancy

ii) Consistency

iii) Challenge to be taken up: “To be ready”

c) Faithful Service

“Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing” Matthew 24:26

i) Understanding of “servanthood”

ii) Practice of “servanthood”

iii) Reward of “servanthood”

 

CONCLUSION

1. Preparedness at the First Level for the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Knowledge

b) Understanding

c) Reality

2. Preparedness at the Deeper Level for the Return of the Lord Jesus Christ

a) Heartfelt Desire for the Lord Jesus to return

b) Deep Commitment to Serve faithfully while awaiting His Return

Strength of Faith to last a life-time of waiting for the Lord to Return