What good is a secret if the One who knows it but can't keep it? What is the secret He is hiding?
In Jesus final days, He arrives in Jerusalem. His disciples are by His side all the while never seeing the upcoming event of His crucifixion. Though the judgment of Jerusalem is also coming, so the judgment at the end of the world is also coming for us as well.
Jesus however gives separate answers to the two questions posed by the disciples; "As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”
New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Mt 24:3.
He answered in response that there would be many false Christs. In fact some of these frauds would deceive even Christians; and there would be many of them (Matt. 24:4-5). The second answer was there would be "wars and rumors of wars" (Matt. 24:6-7). But when would these things occur? Even though Jesus answer was simple, it still left some question as to when this would occur. Even so from this statement, these things are only the beginning of the end; and they will repeat themselves over and over again until the final hour. No one would be able to tell when the present calamity was the last one or whether more were to come. But one thing is true; even Jesus did not know the time!
So should the Christian worry each day about when all this will happen? Even the disciples thought it might be happening in their own generation. But if that were true then the time of the Gentiles was only to last 30 years, as opposed to the Jews who had thousands of years of hearing the Word of God. Would that be fair to them? No. For if it were true, it would mock the Gentiles who would only receive grace for one generation. How unfair that would have been!
But the bigger picture is this; "The general lesson for all in this discourse is: 'Watch for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. The call to watchfulness is based on our ignorance of the time of the end, and on the fact that, however long delayed the end may be, it will come suddenly at last, as a thief in the night." The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce, page 338.
So how can we respond today to this knowledge? Two possible ways are:
1. The effect on some, we are taught, is to make them negligent, they being eye-servants and fitful workers, who need oversight and the stimulus of extraordinary events. They need someone to make them work as unto the Lord. Their hearts just aren't in it!
2. Others again, are steady, equal, habitually faithful, working as well when the master is absent as when they are under his eye. These have the love of their Savior written upon their hearts and will act upon His commands as steady stewards of His grace. Their hearts embrace it!
The treatment of both on the master's return corresponds to their respective behavior - one class being rewarded, the other being punished. Bruce, pg. 339.
This is also true for the story of the ten virgins. Watching (as the virgins who were wise did) does not imply sleeplessness anxiety and constant thought concerning the future, but quiet, steady attention to present duty. Bruce, pg. 339.
So which person are you today? Do you work for your Master because the law of His Love is on your heart; or are you the one who will go on as if your own judgment doesn't really concern you.
As I close this blog today, I remember something I shared this week with a 13 year-old young man I am currently discipling. We were talking about certain passages which asked him to come to grip with who Jesus really is. Then I asked him this question; "How is Jesus Real in Your Life?" "I don't mean from the Bible. Those are fine, but I mean something that you have experienced that you know He is real." He sat back and began to think... then I told him that might be a good place to stop for the day and consider the question posed for the rest of his week.
Most of us never take that time. I challenge you today to take the time to ask yourself, "How can you prove that you know Jesus- really know Jesus?" The real Jesus is returning one day! Be ready for Him or otherwise we may realize we really don't know Him as well as we think we do...
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