From Matthew 24-25 we enter into a long discourse that Jesus has with his disciples about eschatology (the study of the end times). This chapter is not an easy one to work through. Many scholars have differing insights into this chapter. There is much history that goes into this chapter like in verses 1-2 when Jesus speaks of the destruction of the temple, that prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD when the temple was destroyed by the Roman empire. I do think it will be fruitful to see the practical implications that this chapter has for us. I will list out four things that we can see from this chapter.

Do not go astray - Verses 4, 5, 11, 24

Throughout this discourse Jesus makes a constant reference to people who will proclaim a false gospel and point to a false Christ. Jesus infers that there will always be people who are meticulously looking for end times signs and when they find that one person who fits their picture of a savior they will flop toward that person. Many people through the course of time will proclaim to have the truth, to be the truth, and to point people away from the truth, but Jesus says do not let these people lead you astray! Jesus gives them a stern warning that people will take any catastrophe, world event, or tribulation and try to fit it within their narrative to tell people the end is near. Look at what so and so says, look at what this person prophesied will happen. As Christians we are not to be led astray by the mere predictions of people that calculate this last earthquake before Christ comes again or WWIII is coming which means Christ is at the door. It is possible that Jesus comes tonight, tomorrow, or next week, or thousands of years from now but that is only reserved for God to know. What Jesus calls us to do is to turn away from these false teachings, false prophets, and false christs, and to pursue the true and pure gospel. Where the true Son of God died on a cross and took our sin, was raised from the dead and one day will return with almost no sign that people are caught by surprise.

Perseverance to the end - Verse 13

“But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.” I want to affirm that perseverance is firstly a work of God in our lives (Phil 1:6), God provides the grace for us to persevere to the end. But we are also called to do our part in persevering to the end. We are to endure difficult times. One commentator said, “The passage also equips disciples to persevere by warning them to expect calamity, persecution, and tribulation without succumbing to fear.” In a world where the only guarantees are suffering and death, we are to endure to the end knowing that our savior will give us the grace to do so.

Be alert - Verses 36-44

Sometimes these verses have been interpreted as a rapture that will happen when some will be left behind, I don’t think that is what the text is saying, let me explain. Jesus compares his second coming to the days of Noah where the people were not expecting a flood. The people in Noah’s time were living life to the fullest, getting drunk, getting married, eating to their fill, but one day judgment came upon them amid their mundane lives. They were not expecting that to happen which is why Jesus also gives the examples of the two men in the field and the two women grinding at the mill. Jesus is painting a picture of people living their normal lives, normally engaging in their work and suddenly something happens, one goes missing. This is not to point to a rapture but to point that the coming of Christ will surprise everyone, they will not be expecting it to happen because they will be going about their normal routine. The stronger evidence of this argument is in verses 42-44 where Jesus compares his coming to that like a thief in the night, verse 44 “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Jesus through these verses is teaching us that as we go about our normal lives, we should be alert that he can return at any moment. And as Christians we are to prepare ourselves to meet the Son of Man on any day. That preparation can be done in the mundane of our normal lives, by loving God and serving our neighbors.

Be faithful - Verses 45-51

Even though we may not know the exact time and day Jesus will return, we are called to be faithful. Our lives should not be dedicated to trying to find out the specific time that Jesus will return but instead to live a faithful life that honors him. We are called to be faithful to God in every aspect of our lives and we should be striving to grow in faithfulness. In our alertness that any day we can meet the Son of Man, we should balance it out with faithful living. We are not supposed to be idle because Christ can come at any time, but we are to be faithful in the mundane of our lives knowing that this is what is commanded of us.

 Do not go astray, but be alert to the coming of Christ, while faithfully living in this world, that will lead us to persevere to the end.