While departing from the temple, Jesus foretold of the coming destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple. It must have shocked the disciples, but they have trust the word of their Lord. They asked him: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence(coming) and of the conclusion of the system of things?”(Matthew 24:1-3) The Lord replied to them that their will be someone who will come in the basis of his name, along with the reports of wars and rumors of wars. Food shortages, earthquakes and pestilences. But these are just the pangs of distress. (Matthew 24:4-8; Luke 21:9,10) There will also be the disgusting thing that causes desolation before the end.(Matthew 24:15-22) But to answer their query regarding his presence(coming), he warned his disciples second time: “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will perform great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones.”(Matthew 24:23,24) And again, the third time; “Look! I have forewarned you. Therefore, if people say to you, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look! He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.”(Matthew 24:25,26) Three times Jesus has warned his disciples regarding the coming of false Christs. But why? The Lord knows people are in eager expectation of his coming, his presence. And many will use this for their own interest. Jesus has foretold this on John 10, those who are “thieves and plunderers.”(John 10:7,8) But Jesus has again explained to them how to expect him. Assuring them that they will not need to find him, for his presence will be known for all to see. Jesus said: “ For just as the lightning comes out of the east and shines over to the west, so the presence of the Son of man will be. Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. Then the sign of the Son of man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief, and they will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”(Matthew 24:27-31) This presence of the Lord Jesus will happen, as the scripture says, “after the tribulation of those days.”(Matthew 24:29-31 Compare Revelation 1:7)
Jesus again likened his presence(coming) on the time of the flood. When the flood came globally, all the wicked people died except Noah and his family.(Matthew 24:37-39)
Jesus Christ’s words were focused on his coming. He warned his disciples on Matthew 24 that when they see this signs happening, he is near.(Matthew 24:32,33) Therefore, he warned his disciples to keep on the watch, “because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”(Matthew 24:42) And another warning; “But know one thing: If the householder had known in what watch the thief was coming, he would have kept awake and not allowed his house to be broken into. On this account, you too prove yourselves ready, because the Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it.”(Matthew 24:43,44; Compare 1 Thessalonians 5:2; 1 Peter 3:10 Revelation 16:15)
For conclusion, Christ presence will happen yet, not invisibly, but visible for all to see.(Matthew 24:29-31; Luke 17:24; Revelation 1:7) The illustration on Luke 19:11-27 perfectly describes what will happen when Jesus Christ secures his Kingly power. He will act immediately to reward whatever deeds we have sown.(Romans 2:6-8; Galatian 6:7,8)
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