Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord comes. (Matt. 24:42)
Matthew chapter 24 is often read as a warning to watch for outward signs of the Lord’s return. Many are caught by the physical degradation and corruption of the world. Others speculate about the timing of the fig tree and other such signs. There will be great tribulation, and some will be taken, some will be left. But what is the meaning of this? We might be diligent to look for all these signs, yet completely miss our inward spiritual preparation.
As believers in the church, there is a need for a specific kind of preparation for the return of the Lord who comes as a “thief” (Matt. 24:43-44, 1 Thess. 5:2). On one hand, we are the “householder” whom the Lord exhorts to “watch” and “be ready” for the coming of the Son of Man. On the other hand, we are also watchful as the valuable possessions, awaiting that we may be counted precious by the Lord. What makes us precious to the Lord and worth being “taken” is not from our outward watching, but whether we are stewarding in the house. The Lord asks, “Who then is the faithful and prudent slave?” May we be those who are blessed and ready when the master comes, set over the household, feeding and apportioning food and ministering to His house at the proper time.
Only something that’s precious will be taken and is worth guarding. No one will steal something that’s worthless. The process the Lord has brought us through to be proper stewards of His house is not cheap; this transformation is what makes us valuable to the Lord. Seeing that which the Lord considers precious, the enemy is also stealing at this time. This chapter indicates that there will be another kind of “stealing” to take our beings away: a stumbling (v. 10), a multiplied lawlessness (v. 12), and a reigning falsehood that will “lead astray” many (v. 24). So our watchfulness and sobriety is also to guard against the world and the evil one, to be precious in spite of the age, for the coming of the Lord.
As the Lord’s people on the earth today, our “watching” is not primarily on the outward, worldly signs, but to guard the Lord’s temple, our inner being, so that what is truly precious to the Lord is preserved for Him. The Lord is looking for something expensive to steal away for Himself in this dark age. Today, we are “watching” — guarding moment by moment a sobriety in our spirit, undergoing a precious transformation, so that the Lord can have a testimony on the earth. May we be ready for His return!
(Above are notes of fellowship taken from a gathering on 5/12/2024, not reviewed by the speaker.)