Matthew 24:36-51 (Mk. 13:32-37; Lk. 21:34-38)

In Matt. 24:35 Jesus had said that His return was certain because God’s word will never pass away.  Then in v36 He clearly states, But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.  

Jesus had spoken earlier (Lk. 17:26) of the days of Noah as being the nature of life before the destruction of Jerusalem.  Here He uses the same terminology to speak of the nature of life for the whole earth before His return.  People will be occupied with what they consider to be normal life (eating, drinking, marrying and giving in marriage).  Because of this they will be shocked when the end comes, even though Jesus has just given clear signs of that day.   

Consider what occupied people in the day Noah entered the ark:

Preoccupation with physical appetites (Lk. 17:27).

Rabid advances in technology (Gen. 4:22).

Grossly materialistic attitudes and interests (Lk. 17:28).

Uniformitarian philosophies (Heb. 11:7).

Inordinate devotion to pleasure and comfort (Gen. 4:21).

No concern for God in belief or conduct (2 Pt. 2:5; Jude 15).

Disregard for the sacredness of marriage (Mt. 24:38).

Rejection of the inspired Word of God (1 Pt. 3:19).

Population explosion (Gen. 6:1,11).

Widespread violence (Gen. 6:11,13).

Corruption throughout society (Gen. 6:12).

Preoccupation with illicit sexual activity (Gen. 6:1-4).

Widespread words and thoughts of blasphemy (Jude 15).

Organized Satanic activity (Gen. 6:1-4).

Promulgation of systems and movements of abnormal depravity (Gen. 6:5,12).

They were unprepared simply because they weren’t paying attention to God’s word.  But the judgment happened, and it will happen again.  Whether in the field or at the grinding mill, one will be taken in judgment and another left.  God’s judgment is always accurate and just.

Because of this Jesus concludes this part of the Olivet Discourse with a call to watch!  Just because we don’t know the exact day does not mean it will not happen.  It means every day must be a day of preparedness.  Jesus uses two servants or stewards to illustrate.  The faithful, prepared, watchful servant is doing the Master’s will at all times; he is ready.  The foolish servant is self-serving, ill-prepared and bleary-eyed.  He is not doing the Master’s will; he will not be prepared when the Master comes.  And his judgment will be that of the hypocrites, like the religious leaders Jesus addressed in Matt. 23, those who professed to be servants but were not.

Faithful servants are focused on God’s word and are faithful to God’s word.