Book of Matthew - Lesson 33
(Read Matthew 24:36-51)
Introduction: The 24th chapter of Matthew has some very significant teachings. We need to
ponder carefully the teachings there so as to see what is actually being conveyed, and
recognize that often such is misunderstood and taken out of context to FIT a preconceived
idea which is foreign to the truth! We’haver
noticed that truly the first 35 verses are referring to the destruction of Jerusalem,
which occurred in AD 70. The last part may be dealing with the same, according to some
devout teachers, but it may be (and seems to me to be) answering the latter
question asked by the disciples, toward “the end of the world.” Which ever view
you desire to take on that, I’will not fault you. But the warnings need to be heeded
by all.
1. Only one (God, the Father) knows as to the time (day and hour) (Matt. 24:36).
2. Conditions that will exist shall be similar to those in the days of Noah (Matt
24:37-41).
3. There is a need to be watchful at all times because one does not know “what hour
your Lord doth come” (V. 42-44). This state of readiness is emphasized in a number of
other places (Cf. 1 Thess. 5:1-4; 2 Pet. 3:10ff), anticipating the Day of the Lord!.
4. There is a danger that one may THINK that the Lord will delay His coming, and thus
behave inappropriately, and be caught unprepared (Vs. 45-51). There is the need to be
“faithful” all the time, to please the Lord and be ready for all that shall
happen. Only when we are faithful, serving the Lord, doing the works He authorized,
keeping oneself pure, engaging in pure and undefiled religion are things going to be best
for us here and now, as well as prepare us for heaven when this life ends. One is not
right in heart and mind, of course, if and when he should decide because the “Lord is
delaying his coming,” so I’will mistreat my “fellow servants”
and to “eat and drink with the drunken.” If one should make such unreasonable
mis-calculation, he is foolish on one hand and
mean and ugly on the other, unfit for the kingdom of God. Such a person is destined to
suffer (probably here on the earth in time), surely eternally!
The Lord has revealed the end of such a person: The Lord of that servant will come when he
is not expected, and he’will be cut off and his portion will be with the hypocrite!
The results will be: weeping and gnashing of teeth,” VERY UNPLEASANT! So, let us be
that “faithful and wise servant” (v. 45).
Questions:
1. When we hear people declaring they know WHEN the Lord is coming, what can we say (v.
36)?
2. What terms are used to describe the Lord’s coming in (1 Thess. 5:2 and 2 Peter
3:10)?
3. What shall the attitude and behavior of the people be like when the Lord comes
(Vs.37-39)?
4. What’s the lesson of (Vs. 40-41)?
5. What’s the key behavior mentioned in (v. 42)?
6. What illustration is given to emphasize the need to be in a state of readiness (Vs.
43-44)?
7. According to (vs 45-47) who is a “wise” servant?
8. What word is used to describe the servant who decides his “lord delayeth his
coming” (V. 48)?
9. Behavior of the “servant” who makes the decision that the Lord is not coming
NOW (v. 49)?
10. What surprising results waits the “evil” servant?