How is it possible to expect that mankind will take advice
when they will not so much as take warning?
(Jonathan Swift)
If you are hiking in unfamiliar territory, you want to avoid trouble. Binoculars enable you to see distant hazards such as a deep ravine, a perilous swamp, or threatening predators. Knowing what is ahead guides you to choose the best route.
In the same kind of way, eschatology (or as some call it, unfulfilled or predictive prophecy) is like a pair of binoculars for life’s path.
In this post, we will examine several texts about the future parousia of the Lord Jesus Christ and how they advise and warn us to live the best life in the present. You will also be guided to use the ‘eschatological binoculars’ for yourself.
Let’s begin with a brief review of our thesis.
The focus in this series is to understand how eschatology can speak into how we live ‘here and now.’
Here is the general thesis, stated by two authorities:
Every item of predictive prophecy was given to a particular historical people to awaken and stir them to righteousness by revealing in part what God will do in the future. Any disclosure of the future was given to influence present action.[1]
A great deal of predictive prophecy of Scripture is yet unfulfilled. In the time before a prophecy comes to pass, it is designed to affect present thought and conduct, not to satisfy curiosity concerning the future.[2]
In the previous post, “5 Facts About the Return of the Lord,” we examined one aspect of eschatology—the future return of the Lord Jesus to Earth, known as the parousia. For continuity, I encourage you to read that post if you have not already done so.
You will recall that the Greek word parousia is “the state of being present at a place, presence.”[3]
In the next three posts, we will follow occurrences of this word as they relate to the future physical return and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, learning how they should guide us in how we live now.
We will begin by listening to Jesus teach his disciples about his parousia.
The word parousia occurs four times in the Gospel accounts, all in Matthew 24.
Matthew 24-25 is a unit of Jesus’ teaching, often referred to as the Olivet Discourse. I encourage you to pause and take time to read and familiarize yourself with these chapters.
The scene opens with some questions from the disciples (Matthew 24:3):
“As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?”
These questions flow from Jesus’ condemnation of “the teachers of the law and the Pharisees”: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!” (23:13, 15, 16 [blind guides], 23, 25, 27, 29). The Lord concludes with a yearning for Jerusalem’s repentance, only to declare: “Look, your house is left to you desolate” (23:28).
Overlooking Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, Jesus responds to his disciples (Matthew 24-25).
The Lord Jesus first uses the word parousia in 24:27:
“For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming [parousia] of the Son of Man.”
Having read the context, we are warned of great times of distress and false claims about Christ in different locations. Just like lightning filling the sky, the return of the Lord Jesus will be physical and highly visible.
The other two occurrences of parousia are in 24:36-39:
“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming [parousia] of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming [parousia] of the Son of Man.”
Again, in the context, although we know the parousia will happen in the future, we have no idea when it will happen. His return is inevitable, but not predictable.
As in the days leading up to the Flood, people had been warned but ignored the warnings. They lived as if nothing would ever change, right up to the moment when it was too late. Once the Flood came, it was too late for them to change. Once the parousia comes, it will be too late to change.
Now, given what Jesus has told us about the future, how should we live in the present? That brings us to the rest of Matthew 24-25.
Jesus gives us five strong pieces of advice. In each case, I encourage you to read the text for each section to discover the advice for yourself before proceeding to the next section. I invite you to take the time to respond to the questions. Please do not overthink the essential lessons.
This one is obvious, and the Lord is abundantly clear:
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. … So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
How can you keep watch? And what can you do to be ready?
Jesus’ use of ‘hypocrite’ (24:51) links the abusive servant with the Pharisees of the previous chapter. Are any of the attitudes or behaviors of the Pharisees found in you?
Be faithful and wise now—today! Don’t put off your faithful service until some other time. There is no better time than now.
There is a further warning to those who treat others abusively or model immoral lifestyles, thinking they will never be accountable.
How do you serve others? What attitudes or behaviors do you need to change?
Many tend to think they can make up for lack of preparation at the last minute. When the time comes, you will not be able to rely on the resources or lives of others. How can you (as an individual) better prepare for the Lord’s return? How can you help others to prepare?
One servant had a poor estimation of his master, which led to living as a “wicked lazy servant” (24:24-26).
How can you learn more about the Lord Jesus so that you can better serve Him and His interests?
I recently heard a conversation about whether a person was a Christian or just thought they were. Supposedly, they “believed,” but over the years, their life showed nothing of Christ.
James writes (James 2:14-18):
Faith without deeds is dead.
Jesus himself says (Matthew 7:20-21):
“… by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
We do not become Christians by works or deeds, but the genuineness of our faith in Jesus Christ is manifested by our lives (Ephesians 2:8-10). Similarly, this parable illustrates how our actions reveal our hearts.
This post invites interaction between the words of Jesus and your life. In general terms, the future parousia should be influencing you to align your heart and everyday life with the heart and life of the Lord Jesus Christ.
What more have you learned from Matthew 24-25 about living your life here and now?
Please let me know; I would appreciate hearing from you. You can contact me using this link.
BACK TO 5 Facts About the Return of Christ
Notes:
[1] A. Berkeley Mickelsen, et al., Better Bible Study (Glendale, CA: Regal, 1977), 84. Emphasis added.
[2] J. Robertson McQuilkin, Understanding and Applying the Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1983), 216. Emphasis added.
[3] Walter Bauer et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, 3rd ed. (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 780f.
Image credit: DepositPhotos.com
Helpful resources provided to 'living theology' subscribers.
YES!