Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Zechariah 5-6
     New Testament Reading: Matthew 24

Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son—except the Father alone. … Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. … This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matthew 24:36,42,44).

As Jesus left the temple with His disciples, they crossed the Kidron valley northeast of Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives. From there, they had a beautiful view overlooking the temple complex and the city. The disciples asked Jesus a series of questions about His coming and the end of the age. The response Jesus gave covers the 24^th and 25^th chapters of Matthew, the longest recorded response to a question given by Jesus. He delivered this teaching from the Mount of Olives, the very place where the prophet Zechariah predicted the Messiah would stand when he returned to establish his kingdom.

Christians need to be watchful and prepare for Jesus’ return, because we don’t know when it will be. What kind of people should we be? Peter tells us: You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God (2Pe 3:11b-12a).

However, most people will be indifferent, just as in the days of Noah. The people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage; they went through the routines of life as if they were going to live forever. When Christ returns, they will be unprepared, just like the world was when the flood came.

Given the uncertainty as to the day and the hour, men ought to watch. If someone knows his house is going to be broken into, he will be ready, even if he doesn’t know the exact time. The Son of Man will come when least expected by the multitudes. Therefore, His people should live in expectation.

For most of us, we are so good at waiting that we don’t wait in anticipation. We forget to look. We are so patient that we become complacent. We are too content. We seldom search the skies. We seldom, if ever, allow the Holy Spirit to interrupt our plans and lead us to worship so that we might see Jesus.

It is to those of us who are strong in waiting and weak in watching that our Lord was speaking when he said, Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels of heaven nor the Son — except the Father alone. … Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. … This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Matthew 24:36,42,44).

The Christmas season should remind each one of us that just as certain as Jesus came the first time to save us from sin, He will come again! This time to complete our salvation as we receive our glorified bodies and forever be with Him. So also Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him(Hebrews 9:28).