Ready, Steady, Go?

Just reading through the difficult, confusing, chapter of Matthew 24 - I guess that, like all prophecy, the whole picture won't be totally clear until all its details have been fulfilled.

Context

In passing to the passage I want to comment briefly on, we can note predicted destruction 24:1-2, devastation and tribulation 24:3-14, desecration and deception 24:15-28, conflagration and manifestation 24:29-31, and signification 24:32-35, that will herald the advent of Christ.

Focus

As to the Second Coming itself, when Final Judgment is given, there are FOUR things I want to note - all beginning with the letter 'S':

First Suddenness 24:36-39

It will be totally unexpected and, like the Great Global Flood in Noah's time, will take people off-guard and by surprise - not even Jesus, in His human nature, was aware of the precise date (this was proper to His manhood).

Second Separation 24:40-41

This is not a rapture that occurs before Christ comes, but rather a catching up of the saints on the day the Lord appears - to be with Him forever: take comfort from these words!

Third Stay-Awake 24:42-44

You dare not doze-off spiritually like disciples did in Gethsemane - bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, like guards on high-alert: you must not be caught out when the thief-like day breaks in!

Fourth Service 24:45-50

Wise and faithful servants will not be gorged or drunk - fools begin to laze when the Lord delays return: those who seek approval and rewards, in grace, from Christ, like any household steward, devote themselves to supplying food for the family of God.

Remember

This is the bottom line, brothers, that I want to leave you with today: feed the flock!

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has set over his household, to given them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom the master will find doing so when He comes!

...Blessings of Salvation

...Blessings of the Covenant

...Blessings Bought-in-Blood

Prayer

O Lord forgive us for every faithless, foolish, act or thought as servants - cover all our sins with the perfect wise, faithful, service of Christ. Thank you that Christ took upon Himself all the guilt of our faithless folly and absorbed its curse. Grant us every grace, through faith, from His resources of wisdom and faithfulness. Make us increasingly vigilant and diligent until He comes. As Christ has commanded us and appointed us - grant us all requisite grace and power to feed your hungry sheep.