Title: Stay awake, Matthew 24:42-44
“Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come, for you know that if the owner of the house had known at what point the thief was coming, he would have been awake and would not have broken through the house” (Matthew 24:42-43)
When we hear these words, we feel fearful, and we know how to live carefully every day by keeping it in mind. Many commentators say that Matthew 24 is called the 'Little Revelation'. The reason is that what the book of Revelation contains is summarized here in Matthew 24 and explains the end times. It is in line with the Book of Revelation. The text tells the attitude of our Christians living in the last days. In a word, it means 'keep awake'. One day the disciples asked Jesus. What are the signs of the end of the world? The content of Jesus giving the signs of the end of the world is longer than 4 verses. The contents are summarized as follows.
First, the fact that many antichrists and heretics will appear. Last week our Christianity was greatly disgraced. I can't quite understand how prominent people in society, even people called intellectuals, have joined them. In any case, it was as if they were seeing the faces of those who suffered the end times.
Second, it is said that there will be wars and wars, wars will occur, famines and earthquakes in various places, and love will grow cold among people. In particular, in verse 37 and below, He compares the times to be as in the days of Noah. They say that people eat and drink, get married and marry without knowing what will happen before their eyes. At that time, the Son of Man will come suddenly and judgment will be made.
It is said that the carrying capacity of this planet we live on is 4 billion. Currently, many people are starving because they have nothing to eat. The ozone layer is being destroyed, causing desertification all over the earth, and direct sunlight is coming in, melting icebergs, raising sea levels and submerging the land. It is now difficult to see the four seasons due to the riots. It is estimated that the damage caused by tornadoes in the United States recently reached 2.5 trillion won. In addition, dozens of people lost their lives. There are many people who live alone without realizing it even while looking at these evidences. In the days of Noah, people did not understand until the moment of their destruction. that we can too. What the Lord is asking you to do is, "Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come" (42-43a).
I remember the earthquake in Kobe, Japan just a few years ago. I saw the big city crumbling helplessly in the face of the earthquake. It was a city well prepared for earthquakes. However, it was a disaster that clearly showed the limits of human beings. Some say Even though Japan is an idol paradise, it is said that people are living like that. But ten thousand words. Even if the heavens fall and the earth is extinguished, the word of God is absolutely unchanging. I believe that the word will stand firm until the end of the world and will come true. Whether it is a blessing or a curse will only be known until the end. 'Kobe' means 'gate of God'. If the gates of the city gates collapse during war, the enemy will come in like a flood, and it will be over. In just 20 seconds, in Kobe, 5,100 people died, 50,000 houses collapsed, and 200,000 people were displaced. Over the past 25 years, earthquakes in China, the United States, Japan, Mexico, Iran, the Philippines, Indonesia, etc. alone have killed more than 440,000 people. As Jesus said, the signs of the last days are appearing as they are.
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Earthquakes have a particularly deep connection with God. Matthew 24:7 says, "There will be famines and earthquakes in various places" in the last days, but Exodus 19:18 says that when the Lord came down on Mount Sinai, the whole mountain shook violently. Also, when the people of Korah and the men of Korah opposed God and Moses, the earth split open, and "the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and all those belonging to Korah and their things" (Numbers 16:32). It records what is missing. When Elijah flees Jezebel after defeating idolaters on Mount Carmel, God comes to him. It tells us that there was an earthquake after the wind at that time (1 Kings 19:11). If you look at Amos 1:1, you can see that there was an earthquake at that time. In Matthew 27, you can see that there was an earthquake at the time of Jesus’ death (Matt. 27:51). Not only that, but also at the time of Jesus’ resurrection, “a great earthquake occurred. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled the stone away and sat down on it” (Matthew 28:2).
There is a scientific explanation for earthquakes. However, the Bible is the instrument of God's judgment and speaks as an expression of God's power, authority and power. “At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, saying, Once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens” (Hebrews 12:26). Kobe citizens are still in fear. That's because bigger earthquakes may come. When Koreans immigrate to another country, they think about making money by buying a store first. However, Japanese people buy the land and start farming. Why? Because we know that Japan will soon collapse and sink. No one can escape God's judgment. We must heed the warning, "Therefore, be on the alert."
No one can predict tomorrow. If we could only predict an hour later, no one would go to hell. Think about how many people who thought that tomorrow would come, went to hell. I hope you will keep in mind the lesson given through today's text.
First, we must not put our hope in human technology, science, or civilization. B.C. Around 2166, humans were building towers with their knowledge and skills. It is to break the spirit of God. God saw their Tower of Babel and scattered them by confusing their language. Humans make rockets, go to the moon, and triumph over pioneering the universe, but civilization and science that go beyond the road and oppose God are punishing them.
Second, pride and pride are absolutely forbidden. Japan laughed when America collapsed in an earthquake. He said that he could not prepare and collapse to that extent. When our Seongsu Bridge went down, we were sarcastic. They used it as a promotional material to sell their technology. However, in just 20 seconds, more than 5,000 people were killed. We don't have anything to complain about, either. Once God blows it, it's over. Our Lord warns. “Therefore, be awake.” In the world, if there is a beginning, there is an end. “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, and the first heaven and the first earth passed away” (Revelation 21:1). Dear saints, I pray in the name of the Lord that all the saints who are always awake and lead a good life of faith will be greeted with “Amen, Lord Jesus,” when the Lord comes.
Third, we must realize the fear of judgment. We should have listened to God's judgment warning by watching the earthquakes in San Francisco and Los Angeles, and the earthquakes in the Kansai region of Japan. And we must learn to fear the judgment of God.
Fourth, God warns us to stay awake. "Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord will come --- Therefore be prepared, for the Son of Man comes at an hour you do not expect" (Matthew 24:42-44). Earthquakes in the middle of the night do more damage. 6.25 The war was also fought while sleeping. The Second Coming of the Lord will also come when you doze off. We must be awake. Our souls must be awake and always ready to meet the Lord. The candlestick is still running towards the judgment without stopping. The signs of all the present events speak of the day of the Lord's coming.
In the days of Nehemiah, the people were working with tools in one hand while holding weapons in the other hand and were not vigilant. We should prepare for that too. “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10b) Hallelujah! Now is the time for us Christians to wake up and prepare for the end times. But even though the people of the world are preparing, would it make sense if the believers were sleeping spiritually? “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be with the coming of the Son of Man. Before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they did not realize it until the flood came and destroyed them all. " (Matthew 24:37-39) Amen! We are all living in the end times now. Dear saints, I pray in the name of the Lord that we will all be awake spiritually, socially, morally and ethically, so that on that day no one will be left behind and become saints who can stand before God.
I will pray. Loving and merciful Father of our spirits, we sincerely thank you for your love and grace. The God who loves us is showing us the signs of the last days so that we can wake up and prepare ourselves in a harsh world where tomorrow is unpredictable and we are asking, 'Keep awake.' Give me the wisdom to hear these words right away. Also give me the ability to obey. So, lead me to become all the saints who can overcome without being left behind or forsaken. I pray in Jesus name. Amen.