THURSDAY, MARCH 8
Luke 17:20-37
Acts 1:6-11

“It is not for you to know the times or the seasons,
which the Father hath put in his own power.”

THE SECOND COMING FORETOLD

The Pharisees asked the Lord when the Kingdom of God will come. Their inquiry was made with evil intentions: to scorn and scoff at Jesus. The question was “when.” Jesus told them it would not come with an outward show. It would not be as the kings of their time who came with pomp and festivities. Jesus told them it was the Kingdom of God and not of man. Jesus Himself parted from His disciples with these words, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons…” (Acts 1:7). The more important question is: are we ready?

However, Jesus underscored that before this event comes, He would first suffer for our sins and be rejected. He would be crucified to save us from the bondage of sin and wrath to come. Jesus compared the days of His second coming with Noah’s days: people would not believe. They did not believe until they were swept by the raging waters, but by then the door of the ark was shut. So shall be the coming of Christ. Unregenerate people will be caught by surprise!

Jesus likened also His coming with that of Lot’s day. The immoral lifestyle was the norm in Sodom and Gomorrah. Fire and brimstone rained down on them and they all died. It will be very sudden; it will come unexpectedly to all, except the elect. Today we witness these inordinate immoral acts displayed in public with homosexuals parading themselves without shame.

Jesus exhorted: let not your heart be concerned with saving your own life, for no man can escape God’s wrath when He comes. Instead, the Lord enjoined them to lose their earthly life for Jesus’ sake that they may be saved. The disciples asked Jesus where the saved will be taken to, and where those left behind shall be. Jesus’ answer implied that those who are cursed will be in eternal damnation and those that are taken up shall be with the Lord in His Kingdom forever.

THOUGHT: Am I expectant of my Lord’s imminent return?
PRAYER: Father, I look forward to seeing my Lord and my Saviour!