LEARNING DAILY

Matthew 24:43, “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.

I realize what is written in this page of the blog is going to be controversial. I urge you to do what the Bereans did in the book of Acts – study the scriptures for yourself to see what they say. Jesus’s return for His followers does occur at the rapture and again when He returns at the end of the Tribulation.

Jesus warned Believers about not being ready, not watching and looking for His return. The return I believe He is speaking about is the rapture of the Church, all Believers who have died and who are living when the trumpet sounds. He used an illustration about a thief coming into one’s house to illustrate what He was saying. His point was if the master of the house had known a thief was coming, he would have watched and not allowed the thief to break in. That is the advantage the thief has; the master does not know when the thief will break in. The master must always be alert and ready.

Jesus is going to return for Believers like a thief. Jesus said, “Therefore you also be ready, for the son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect”. He is not saying Believers are to not sleep because they might miss Him. He is saying do not be careless about how you live your life. A thief may have never entered your house to rob you, but you continue to lock your doors. There may never have been a robbery in the neighborhood in which you live, but that does not mean you will not be robbed. Don’t live carelessly!

Believers live your life watching patiently for His return. Be prepared for that trumpet to sound; be ready for the Lord Jesus to call you to meet Him in the sky. It may be today, or tomorrow, or in the years ahead. Yes, there may be signs that indicate the time is near; but none of these signs prepare for the trumpet to sound. It could sound at any time; there is going to be no announcement before the trumpet sounds. The only way to be prepared is to walk the narrow way as best you can, watching and being ready for His return.

Jesus gave a third warning about living a careless life as a Believer. He said, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom the master made rule over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master comes, when he comes, will find so doing.” (Matthew 24:45-51; take time to read the entire passage.). Jesus told Believers what He means by living their life ready for His return. Here the master of the house was going to be gone. There were two servants described; one was good and faithful and the other lived in an evil way because the master did not return to the house for some time. The expectation of the master was to return, unexpectedly, to find the servants doing his work well and faithfully. The Lord expects every Believer (everywhere) to be accountable for everything He has given to them – including their life, possessions, and abilities. He expects Believers to use these things for His honor and His glory as they walk the narrow way, waiting for His return for them.

Believers are expected to be faithful in their walk with Jesus every day. Pastor Ed Newton states, “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready!” No, not one person knows when the rapture of the Church will be, and that means to live your life as if Jesus was going to call you to Him today. Live with that in mind, walking to please Him, honor Him, glorify Him each day.