The Strand Study Bible

MATTHEW MATTHEW 24:34 This word ( generation ) means “ race or family .” Biblically speaking, there is going to be a specific generation (race of Jews) who will witness the signs of the end of the world. That generation , according to Christ in Acts 1:6-7, would not be the disciples, but a future generation of Jews ( Mk 13:4 ). 24:36a David Allen Lewis in Magog 1982 Canceled notes: 1547

There are always date-setters among us who are sure that it is about to happen. This is nothing new. It is a phenomena that continues from the time of the early church. Of course we know we are living in the “end times” and the “final era.” The existence of Israel, as a fulfillment of prophecy is the one great proof of that fact. But who knows how long we will be here before the trumpet sounds? All date-setting systems are bound to fail regardless of how many followers they have. Jesus said that no one could know the day and the hour. 1

Again, we may not know the very hour of the very day in which Jesus will return ( #VU PG UIBU %": BOE IPVS LOPXFUI OP NBO ), but we can know “the times and the seasons” (I Thess 5:1-3), yea, the very “generation” of that prophesized event ( Mt 24:34 ). 24:36b Don’t tell me that God in His goodness isn’t willing to give up certain aspects of His eternal authority because of His love for mankind! CHRIST , the SECOND PERSON of the Triune Godhead, was willing to give up a portion of His omniscience (His ability to know all things) just to identify with man in his inability to know anything. 24:37 According to Jesus and the Apostles (II Pet 3:5-7), the Flood was a prototype of the final Judgment awaiting the present world. As the days of Noah closed an era with judgment, so shall Jesus’ return close with judgment. In an age of great wickedness (Gen 6), men went about their daily living ( eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage – vs 38) undisturbed by impending doom. Likewise shall it be at the SECOND COMING of the SON OF MAN . The return of Christ will be so sudden and discriminatory that persons working together will be separated, one snatched away to judgment, and the other left to enjoy the millennial blessings (vs 40-41). 24:38 For seven days after Noah and his family entered the ark there appeared no sign of the “promised” storm. It was a time of triumph to the world without. The apparent delay was proof that God’s message of judgment was a delusion. However, on the eighth day, unexpected travail, like a woman in labor, hit (I Thess 5:1-3), and with all their boasted philosophy, men found too late that their wisdom was foolishness. So shall it be before Christ’s return (II Pet 3:3-7). When the reasoning of philosophy and science has banished the fear of God’s judgments, when the religious teachers are pointing forward to long ages of peace and prosperity, and the world is absorbed in business, building, and banqueting, then it is that sudden destruction that will come upon them unexpectedly. 24:43 The “ THIEF ” here is CHRIST . According to the Bible, Jesus will come “unexpectedly” (3½ years earlier than expected - Lk 12:39-40, I Thess 5:2, II Pet 3:10-14, Rev 3:3 & 16:15 and Rev 3:3), like a thief. Parable #37 is aimed at believers who fail to “stay awake spiritually” and watch for CHRIST . The character flaw – assuming there are more important spiritual issues to attend to . There are not (Lk 24:13-32). There is nothing more important for the Christian than focusing on Christ (Lk 10:38-42), who He is, what He did, and what He is going to do ( PSALMS “MINI” SERIES). Although the emphasis here is upon the coming of Christ after the Tribulation, the warning is pertinent to all believers, for all are to be watchful and ready for His coming. The whole idea is to prevent damage and loss. As long as we keep our minds and hearts on Jesus, we will keep from injuring ourselves spiritually, here and in the hereafter. 24:44 Sadly, not everyone watches for Christ’s return. However, those who do watch ( Therefore be ye also ready ) are called to constant vigilance ( Lk 12:35 -41 and Mt 25 :14- 19 -30). Kenneth R. Schmidt in The Other Side notes: We are living in the very last times. Soon Christ will come to take those that are ready unto Himself… It is not a question of “Will Christ return?” Rather, it is, “Are we ready?” 2 THE ADAGE IS TRUE: If you’re doing your job, who cares when the boss shows up 24:51 The form of punishment here ( and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites ) is figurative. Like parables #15 (Mt 18:21-35), and #40 (Mt 25:14-30), parable #20 is aimed at believers who fail to serve others here on earth. Those who fail to serve others will one day be made to feel as if they had been through hell ( Lk 12: 35- 46,47 ,48), for the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST is not only a time of reward , but a time of regret as well ( II Cor 5:10-11 , Mt 5:19 a and I Cor 3:14 ). Erwin W. Lutzer in Your Eternal Reward notes:

The judgment seat of Christ is, to our shame, almost universally ignored among Christians. Most whom I have talked with think it will not be a very significant event. When I ask why, I usually get one of several reasons, often based on some misconceptions that have found their way into the minds of so many. That you will appear before God is more certain than the sunrise. And the judgment at which you will be summoned is determined in this life, based on your relationship with Christ. There is no opportunity to reroute your travel plans after you have died. One minute after you die your eternal destination is unalterably fixed. 3

25:1 These “ virgins ” are the attendants at the wedding (bridesmaids), not multiple brides; therefore these ten virgins do not represent the Church, but Israel. According to verse 5, “ they all slumbered and slept ,” which indicates inactivity on the part of the Jewish Nation during the Church Age.

1 Lewis, David Allen. Magog 1982 Canceled , Harrison, AK, New Leaf Press, 1982. Print. 2 Schmidt, Kenneth R. The Other Side , Grand Rapids, MI, New Hope Press, 1973. Print. 3 Lutzer, Erwin W. Your Eternal Reward , Chicago, ILL, Moody Press, 1998. Print.