Rachel Workman: 32 “Now learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. 34 I tell you the truth, this generation[j] will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.
36 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.[k] Only the Father knows.
37 “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 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.
40 “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.
42 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. 43 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. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
Maybe I'm just
not in a good place for this reading today but all I can think about is
suffering. When Jesus returns there will be no more suffering at least not for
those who know Christ. The rest I agonize for. There is no disease in Heaven.
No suffering, sickness, or grief. There is only joy. The weight of this world
will no longer be upon us. There is no way I'd want to miss that.
____________________________________________________________________________________
John
Burnett: 32 “Now learn the parable from the fig
tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you
know that summer is near; 33 so, you too, when you see all
these things, [a]recognize that [b]He is near, right at
the [c]door. 34 Truly
I say to you, this [d]generation will not pass
away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth
will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
36 “But of that day and hour no one
knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 37 For
[e]the coming of the Son of Man
will be just like the days of Noah. 38 For as in those days
before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, 39 and they
did not [f]understand until the flood
came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then
there will be two men in the field; one [g]will be taken and one [h]will be left. 41 Two
women will be grinding at the [i]mill; one [j]will be taken and one [k]will be left. The disciples asked for a sign and Jesus describes here that
people will be living their lives just like in the days of Noah and judgement
will come quickly and unexpectedly. I find it ironic that God uses the
rainbow as a reminder of His promise to never flood the whole earth again in
judgement. Now the rainbow symbolizes the pride of deviant sin for which
they will be judged. I have read several commentaries and only a
few refer to verses 40 and 41 being a description of the rapture. What
else can it be? The “will be taken” word has a similar meaning to rapturo
or harpazo and it happens before the end of the age. The rapture is a
sign that the end is near because God promises we will not suffer His wrath and
will take us (and the Holy Spirit) out of the way to start the tribulation.
Be Ready for His Coming
42 “Therefore
be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. 43 But
[l]be sure of this, that if the
head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he
would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be [m]broken into. 44 For
this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour
when you do not think He will. If verses
40 and 41 describe the rapture, we know that His return is near. I know I
am ready for His Coming. Come quickly Lord Jesus.
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