A quick review of what has been studied to this point before proceeding is in order. Jesus did not address the three part question as soon as it was asked. He spoke of the events before the end of the age to warn the people to be prepared for a time of persecution called the tribulation--trouble and burdens which came to a sudden end. Only after delivering the tribulation message did he launch into the subject of the time for the end when he made the shift from the tribulation in verse 29 to the reference of his  representative arrival in verse 27. That was done so the people would not be led astray by false prophets and false Christs. Verse 27 is a companion to verse 30 which begins the message for the time of the end.

Whereas Jesus told the people what natural events and behaviors of the unbelievers would occur in the days leading up to the time of the persecution (tribulation) and how to stay alive, verses 4-28, he changed from the warnings to the behavior of the people who would see the destruction arriving beginning in verses 37-39 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. In other words, the people would be doing normal things right up to the time of the beginning of the terrible destruction. They would not believe it anymore than the people did who lived before the flood. When the flood came it was too late to be saved and it would be no different when the siege of Jerusalem began.

Jesus then spoke in verse 40-41 of the way people would be behaving preceding the siege. 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. People would be going about business as usual; some would escape and others would perish which included the women. Those who didn’t believe and heed his warning would not survive. Verse 42 expands on verse 36:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Jesus didn’t know when he would arrive through his representative and neither did anyone else. Only God knew that day and hour.

From verse 43 through 50 Jesus expounded on being ready for the return. In verses 43 and 44 he spoke of the man who would have been ready for the thief if he knew what hour he was going to enter the house. Jesus said be ready because no one knew when Jesus would arrive. Jesus continued speaking in verses 45 through 51 of those who would not be ready and the consequence of not believing and watching for him. Verses 43 to 51 are similar to the days of Noah when Noah gave the warning to the sinners of that day. It should be noted that Jesus covered in general way every possibility of human behavior by identifying those who would be engaging in various behaviors preceding his return.

In verse 50 Jesus said the lord of the evil servant would return when he least expected it. The servant would be removed from his position of responsibility as the consequence of is slothfulness. The use of the word hypocrites in verse 51 portrays the scribes and Pharisees having disregard of Jesus and they will be among those who suffer the loss of eternal life. Recall that he said in Matthew 15:7-9 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  Verse 51 includes all unbelievers who will rue the day that they rejected their Savior.

The next part will begin with Chapter 25 wherein Jesus spoke in parables to further drive the point home that destruction was on the way.

© 09-18-2012 DEC