In these chapters Jesus discusses various signs of His Second Coming. Matthew's account is conspicuously eschatological while Luke's account has eschatological thoughts woven throughout various exhortations and parables regarding money. I love to meditate on Jesus' encouragement to His sheep found in these sections.
Sons of Light vs. Sons of Darkness
1. External appearances may be the same. It is interesting that Christians may be partaking in the same daily activities for living as the unbelievers on the day of Jesus' Coming (Mt. 24:40-41, Lk. 17:34-36). Men will be working in the field; women will be grinding flour for bread. We cannot tell goat from sheep from the external appearances, yet on that day it will be shown whether one has truly sought to lose his life to gain it (Lk. 17:33).
2. The Christian is called the wise virgin, the faithful slave, the one who is known by God. In the parable of the ten virgins (Mt. 25:1-11) and the parable of the talents (Mt.25:14-30), the sons of light stand in stark contrast to the sons of darkness. These are rare occurrences in the Scriptures, where we see such a painful picture of someone knocking on the heaven's door while the door remains shut. The wise virgins are known by Jesus; the foolish are not (The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom). The faithful slaves will enter into the joy of their Master; the worthless slave will be cast out into the outer darkness.
Thus, it is a misconception that some Christians are faithful and wise while other Christians are lazy and foolish. Rather, there is only one kind of Christian—the wise virgin, the faithful slave, the one who is known by God. A Christian will act in accordance with his nature. He will stay awake; he will prepare extra oil for the lamp in case the bridegroom is late; he will be faithful in investing the talents entrusted him. Because a Christian loves the Lord, it is his joy to do all these things.
Our response
1. Stay awake (Mt. 24:42). Be ready (Mt. 24:44). Our Bridegroom Jesus returns at an hour we do not expect Him to claim us as His own. What kind of bride then shall not wash her robes in preparation for her wedding day (Rev. 22:14)? As we await our Beloved's appearing, shall we fall asleep as the foolish? Shall we not prepare our minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix our hope completely on the grace to be brought to us when we see His face (1 Pet. 1:13-16)?
2. Do not be frightened (Mt. 24:6). I love this simple exhortation of Jesus which is found in the midst of all the terrible events that will take place in the End: rising of false Christs, wars, rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, hateful persecution of Christians to death, apostasy, false prophets, rampant lawlessness, love grown cold, the powers of heaven being shaken, and the Abomination of Desolation.
What a contrast Christian joy is to the world in which we live, which thrives on its own negativity (take the news media, for example). Indeed, the Lord tells us to “rejoice with great joy” when men persecute us (Mt. 5:11-12). So then, shall I not rejoice? For when I see such birth pangs, I shall also see Jesus coming on the clouds of heaven with great glory. For through the groanings of the old world, He shall usher in the new. For when my war with sin and Satan is over, I shall see my Beloved's face. What an occasion for gladness indeed! And thus we shall not fear, but rather await His coming with great joy.
3. Know that the Kingdom of God is in our midst (Luke 17:20-21). The Pharisees looked for the outward, spectacular signs of the kingdom of God. But the kingdom of God manifests itself in the inward, quiet “everyday stuff.” Jesus exhorts us thus in view of the present distress:
- We are to be faithful in our charge of the Lord's household, not squandering the Lord's resources on selfishness and loose living (Mt. 24:44-51).
- We are to keep ourselves holy in view of tribulations to come. Keep the oil burning as the hour grows late to meet the bridegroom (Mt. 25:1-11).
- We are to be faithful in investing and using the talents He has entrusted us—our time, money, singleness, marriage, spiritual gifts (Mt.25:14-30).
- We are to take care of the least of the brothers, physically and spiritually (Mt. 25:34-46).
- We are to be faithful in our management of the unrighteous wealth, because we know that God will entrust to us true riches one day (Luke 16:9-13; Eph. 1:1-14).
- We are to take care of the poor with our riches and not be self-consumed. The cultural ideal of the rich man habitually dressing in purple and fine linen, feasting, joyously living in splendor everyday is condemned by Jesus. What a picture to ponder for the wealthy of this world (Luke 16:19-31).
So as we daily wrestle with temptation, trust Him in tribulation, work diligently and faithfully, and love those who do not return our love, God's kingdom is fulfilled in our hearts and minds. A few may work signs and wonders for the kingdom, but as Peter exhorted the wives in his day, precious in the sight of the Lord is the hidden person of our hearts, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit. I love the words of this hymn, which so beautifully captures the essence of the kingdom of God being in our midst:
Lead on, O King eternal,
till sin's fierce war shall cease,
and holiness shall whisper
the sweet amen of peace.
For not with swords loud clashing,
nor roll of stirring drums;
with deeds of love and mercy
the heavenly kingdom comes.
(Ernest W. Shurtleff)
4. While knowing that being faithful is doing only what we ought to do (Luke 17:10), we rejoice in knowing that we are known by God Himself. The encouragement for the Christian, then, is that his spirit bears witness with the Holy Spirit when he reads these words from the Lord. He is the wise virgin who keeps the lamp burning. He is the faithful slave over all his Master's household. He is known by God; his hope is fixed on Jesus' appearing; he will not be cast out at the Judgment. So let him continue in his faithfulness! As John says,
“Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy” (Rev. 22:11).
Oh may you rejoice to see your Beloved's face on that day!
He is coming back.
Amen.
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