In today's devotional, we conclude our discussion of Jesus' prediction of the future in Matthew chapters 24. Today, we conclude that the future events of Jesus' second coming is in two stages; the first heralds the day of rapture and will be unexpected. This day will catch many people unaware and unprepared.
*“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected."* Matthew 24:36-44 NLT.
The other coming will take place after the period of the great tribulations;
*"And then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven."* Matthew 24:30-31 NLT.
The stories that will follow in Matthew chapter 25; the 10 virgins and the parable of the three servants are to get all of us ready so we don't miss the day of rapture.
Ultimately, the question is whether you will be ready or not when the trumpet sounds or whether you will live through the days of tribulation and struggle through to the end. The first require a state of preparedness, Jesus says;
*"you also must be ready all the time"*, the other will be filled with anguish and pain like the world has never witness before.
