Matthew 24 may be one of the most debated chapters in all of Scripture. Is Jesus describing events that would be entirely fulfilled with the Fall of Jerusalem at the hands of the Romans in 70AD, or are all of these events yet to take sometime in the future, or are they a combination of both? Greater minds than ours have wrestled with these verses and differ on their interpretations. One thing is for sure; the Bible clearly states that Jesus IS coming back!!!

Matthew 24:36-44

36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What question(s) was Jesus answering in these verses? What is your feeling on the way He answered them?

+ What do you know about "the days of Noah", both good and bad? Read Genesis 6. Why did Jesus use this as an illustration here?

+ Jesus used the term "Son of Man" more than any other phrase to describe Himself. Why do you think that is? Read Daniel 7:9-14

+ What is the purpose of "being ready" for the return of Jesus? How can we be ready?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+I was just thinking. Christians celebrate Jesus coming the first time to earth at Christmas. We celebrate His death and resurrection at Easter. Some denominations even have a day to celebrate His ascension into glory as described in Acts 1. Maybe it's time we have a holiday to celebrate His promised return!!! Maybe we should start greeting each other like the earliest followers of Jesus did. Maranatha, come, Lord Jesus, come!!!

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?