Preparing for Judgment

Background Scripture: Matthew 24
Lesson Scripture: Matthew 24:31–46

Introduction

We will not live here forever; eventually, we will die. While this is the message of the Bible, we know it to be true because we have experienced the death of loved ones. The Bible tells us that man has an immortal soul that will live on after death, and the soul will be judged and consigned to either heaven or hell. The destination will be determined by how we live on earth. Obviously, we must prepare for death and the judgment.

Key Verse

Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after (1 Tim. 5:24).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Jesus’s stay on earth was nearing the end. On Monday He had cleansed the temple. Tuesday He taught in the temple, and in the evening He left it for the last time, thus ending His public ministry. This was only days before His death, and Jesus, realizing what trauma His disciples would soon experience, tried to prepare them.

Having left the temple for the last time, Jesus gave a discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem. This would be an earth-shaking event that happened in 70 a.d. in the lifetime of many of his listeners (v. 34). Jesus also spoke of the nature of the end of the world, which would happen simultaneously with His second coming. Because both the end of the world and the destruction of Jerusalem are mentioned in Jesus’s discourse, it is difficult to know from verse to verse which one Jesus means.

Although the timing of the second coming is uncertain, Jesus says there will be signs to indicate that the time is drawing near. Many signs are cited in His great discourse.

Jesus gave three illustrations of uncertainty. In Noah’s day, the rain began on an ordinary day in which people were going about their normal duties, perhaps thinking of nothing in particular. Then, unexpectedly, torrents of rain began; floodwaters rose, and people panicked and began to drown. (See v. 39.) Jesus’s second coming may happen on another ordinary day; then, Jesus will be here unexpectedly. Even these comments may be saying too much, because we do not know the exact details.

The second illustration describes two men routinely working on the farm and two women sitting on the ground on either side of a grindstone, grinding their flour. Unexpectedly, one of each pair is taken, and one is left.

The third illustration applies to both ancient and modern days, because now, as then, property can be stolen. Usually the thief hits when he is not expected, and the owner wishes he had been more watchful.

The implication: Be ready. That is the certainty and also the main thrust of this lesson.

Practical Truths for Today

Most Christians, when thinking how God called them, recall their fear of eternity. We knew that if we would die, we would go to hell. We tried to pray, but God did not seem to hear. Consequently, we quit praying, but the fear remained. Perhaps after a revival sermon, we sneaked out of church and sat in the car, weeping. We thought surely God would see our tears and forgive us. But nothing changed, and the fear remained. We were ready to do anything—or so we thought.

Then we surrendered all, and peace flooded in. The fear was gone because our sins were forgiven. We were ready for the day of the Lord because we were bound for heaven.

With our hearts open to God and to our brethren, we are obedient to the Holy Spirit’s leading. We commit the keeping of our souls to God, and we do not fear the judgment; however, the thought of coming judgment makes us very careful to maintain our peace with God.

A schoolboy just converted started walking to the nearby school, knowing the bell would ring soon. Then he remembered, “Dad instructed me to feed the cow and calf, and I forgot. If I ignore this chore, will I lose my peace?” he wondered.

Such sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is blessed by God. When the nudges from the Spirit are heeded, the conscience is clear and there is freedom. The question may be, Is that sensitivity still there, many years later, or have the cares of life dulled our senses?

To illustrate the end of the world Jesus used a fig tree. As the seasons advance, fruit will appear, for that is God’s order. Similarly, we are in the gospel age, moving toward the day when Jesus will return.

To be always ready, we should live with Christ as our example. In the Gospels, we get a vivid picture of Jesus. If we are willing to live like He taught, maintaining our daily fellowship with God, we are ready for His return. It was said of one sister, “Don’t call her at a certain time in the morning, because she is praying and will not answer her phone.” Such constancy!

The Sermon on the Mount, sometimes called the Christian’s Charter, tells us what we ought to do to prepare for eternity. More importantly, the Beatitudes tell us what kind of people we ought to be in daily life. Doing the right thing is often difficult, but changing our attitudes without God’s help is even more difficult.

Many people around us avoid talking about death or the final judgment. The subject of death has almost become taboo. They talk about “if something should happen to me” or “he passed away” or “he’s no longer with us.” This may mean they do not want to think about the hereafter, or perhaps they have no hope for eternity. Others confidently claim they are ready to die though they are living in sin. Comforting the bereaved tends to become merely social.

But we have a message of hope. Let us speak to them about matters of eternity before they are facing death. Are we reluctant to talk about sin, salvation, or eternity because we want to avoid any discomfort or controversy? Should we not be willing to be spokesmen for God and tell people that Jesus loves them? We should tell them that He died for their sins so they can spend eternity in heaven.

We have a duty to fellow believers as well. Those who have lost a loved one soon discover that no matter how well they have prepared themselves, they are never quite ready for the loss. What can we do for them? We can “comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God” (2 Cor. 1:4).

Considering the consequences of the judgment, man’s primary responsibility in life is to be prepared and ready for death. With the Holy Spirit dwelling within our hearts, we will be faithful, dependable, and wise. This is a wonderful condition to maintain as we anticipate Jesus’s return. We can joyously say, “The sooner, the better!” because we are ready. “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).

Questions

1. How can we help others prepare for Christ’s return?
2. Should Christians change their lifestyle because the Lord’s return seems imminent?
3. What is the key to being ready for the Lord’s return?
4. Young Christians, in what ways could the truth of the second coming of Christ change your plans?
5. Unsubscribe

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).