Be Ready: You've Been Warned

Introduction

Have you ever stopped to notice on your drive to work, to school, to the gym, to the doctor’s office or wherever you go in the morning people around you are also going somewhere.  Over 340 million people in the United States that from day break to sunset are busy scurrying around going somewhere, doing something and living life.  People are living their lives but how many of them have given any thought about God or the fact God’s Word has warned that the Son of Man is coming back for His Church.  This point is emphatically expressed by Paul the Apostle in his letter to those at Thessalonica.

1 Thessalonians 4:14-17 states,

 “[14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

This place we call home is not our eternal home.  It is only temporary and one day just assuredly as Jesus promised his disciples, 2000 years ago, Jesus is coming back.  In our text today Jesus warns his audience to be ready because He, the Son of Man, will return again. 

Matthew 24:34-44 states,

“[34] Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. [35] Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. [36] But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. [37] But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [38] For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, [39] And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [40] Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. [41] Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. [42] Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. [43] But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. [44] Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Questions Asked By The Disciples

In verse 34 Jesus refers to “these things be fulfilled”.  This refers to verses 4-33 which, Jesus and His disciples were at Mount of Olives and they asked Jesus questions about his prophecy of the destruction of the temple and its meaning.  Jesus previously stated that the temple would be destroyed.   The disciples asked three questions:

When will these things happen?

What will be the sign of Jesus return?

What will be the sign of the end of age?

In these verses Jesus responds to their questions by indicating that there will be many false prophets to come after Him and predict the tribulations but their words will not be fulfilled.  There will be wars and rumors of wars.  Nations will rise up against nations.  Kingdoms will rise up against kingdoms and famine and earthquakes will be prevalent but all these are not the end of ages.  They’re simply signs that the end is coming. 

Jesus mentioned several additional signs that will be present, persecution of Jesus disciples.  Once this occurs there will be a falling away of the Church.  Jesus indicates that believers will betray one another.  False prophets will increase and mislead many people and lawlessness will increase and be more prevalent in society.  Jesus encourages His disciples by stating that the one who endures to the end will be saved.  Furthermore Jesus states that the Gospel will be preached throughout the world then the end of age will come.

The Days of Noah

However no man shall no when that time shall occur only God will know.  This brings us to our text today Matthew 24:34-44.  In this text Jesus gives us some very striking similarities to today.  He points to the past during the time of Noah before the flood.  Much like today the people of Noah’s time were living their best lives with no regard for God, although we know that Noah preached to them of the coming flood, 2 Peter 2:5 states,

“And spared not the old world, but saved Noah, the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the Flood upon the world of the ungodly”.

In our text it states that the people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage.  As the people of Noah’s time were living their best lives we see their mindset as captured in Genesis 6:11-13 which states,

“[11]The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. [12] And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. [13] And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.”

The people were corrupt and violent.  God was going to destroy his creation except for Noah his wife and family, 8 souls.  Yet the people of that time continued doing what they wanted to do how they wanted to do it and without regard to God. 

You see the problem was not that these activities were sinful in themselves.  The problem was that they were living as though God did not matter.   Although Noah faithfully warned them, they ignored God's message. 

History Repeats Itself

It appears that history is repeating itself.  People today are going about living their lives the way they want to live it without regard for God nor His will or sovereignty. 

People are consumed with careers, entertainment, wealth, pleasure, sports, politics, social media, and personal ambitions.

Many live exactly as they please with little or no regard for God’s authority ir sovereignty.  God’s Word is ignored. Sin is celebrated.  Violence has become commonplace.  Lawlessness continues to increase.  People are busy building successful lives while neglecting their eternal souls.

Just as in Noah’s day, people hear God’s warnings but refuse to believe them.  Because judgment has not yet come, many assume it never will.

The Door Is Closed

Jesus uses the story of Noah to illustrate that no one knew when God was going to send his judgment by destroying the world.  Since it had never rained in Noah’s time they didn’t believe it would or could happen so they were not moved by any urgency to obey Noah’s warnings.  They thought the Arc was foolish.  However when Noah and his family entered the Arc and God sealed the door of the Arc and it began to rain then they recalled Noah’s warning to them, but it was to late. 

Jesus uses this illustration to teach us that His return will be just as sudden.  People will be working.  People will be shopping.  People will be attending weddings.  People will be making future plans.  Then, suddenly, Christ will return.

• One will be taken.

• Another will be left.

• No one knows the day.

• No one knows the hour.

• Only God the Father knows.

Are We Ready?

There are 8.3 billion people on this planet.  They represent countless nations, languages, cultures, and ethnic groups.  They are all going about living life the way they want to and how they want to.

Question we should consider:

• Have we given consideration to God’s will? 

• Have we given consideration to God’s Word? 

• Have we given consideration to Jesus Christ the savior of the world?

The preaching of the Gospel, the Good News will be preached throughout the world before the end of ages.  No one will have the excuse they didn’t know.  We will all have been warned that Jesus is coming back and that we need salvation through Jesus Christ.  The question is:

• Will we take heed to the warning?

• Will we listen?

• Will we obey?

• Will we be ready?

Because ready or not, Jesus is coming again.

Conclusion

The lesson of Noah is not merely about an ancient flood.  It is about preparation.  Are you making preparations for eternal life?

Those who believed God entered the ark and were saved.  Those who ignored God’s warning perished.

Today, Jesus Christ is our Ark of Salvation.  Those who place their faith in Him, obey His Gospel, and remain faithful will be saved when He returns.  Those who reject Him will face eternal judgment.

Therefore, let us not become so busy living our lives that we forget the One who gave us life. 

Let us:

• Watch.

• Remain faithful.

• Be ready.

For in such an hour as we think not, the Son of Man comes.