(Mat) 24:3, 9, 12-14, 46, 48, 51 CJB “When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the talmidim came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that you are coming, and that the ‘olam hazeh is ending?” At that time you will be arrested and handed over to be punished and put to death, and all peoples will hate you because of me. and many people’s love will grow cold because of increased distance from Torah. But whoever holds out till the end will be delivered. And this Good News about the Kingdom will be announced throughout the whole world as a witness to all the Goyim. It is then that the end will come. It will go well with that servant if he is found doing his job when his master comes. But if that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is taking his time’; and he will cut him in two and put him with the hypocrites, where people will wail and grind their teeth!”
When the disciples asked Jesus about the sign of His coming and the end of the age, He did not satisfy their curiosity with a timetable. Instead, He prepared them for faithfulness.
Jesus warned that His followers would be hated because of Him. They would suffer persecution. Many would fall away. Lawlessness would increase, causing the love of many to grow cold. Yet the one who endures faithfully to the end will be saved, and the gospel of the Kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the entire world before the end comes.
The Return of Jesus Christ Calls for Endurance
This passage should cause every believer to examine himself.
How much are you suffering because you openly identify with Jesus Christ?
Around the world, many of our brothers and sisters are imprisoned, beaten, and even killed for their faith. While many Christians in the West still enjoy significant freedoms, Jesus’ words remind us that opposition to the gospel will one day become universal.
Rather than asking, “How close is the end?” perhaps we should ask, “How faithful am I today?”
Are you boldly calling people to repentance?
Are you living in joyful obedience to Christ even when it costs you?
Or have you quietly adjusted your life so that your faith attracts little opposition because it demands little distinction?
Faithful Servants Keep Working
Jesus concluded this section with a powerful illustration.
The faithful servant continues doing his master’s work, even when the master appears delayed.
The wicked servant assumes there is plenty of time.
He becomes careless.
He lives for himself.
He forgets that the master could return at any moment.
The issue is not whether the servant believes the master is coming. The issue is whether he lives like he believes it.
That same danger confronts every Christian today.
When we become comfortable with the world, neglect God’s Word, avoid difficult conversations about the gospel, or pursue pleasure more than holiness, we begin living as though Christ’s return is a distant possibility rather than an imminent certainty.
Jesus does not call His followers to speculation.
He calls us to steadfast obedience.
Live Ready Until He Comes
The Church has not been commissioned to predict dates but to make disciples.
The mission remains unchanged.
Proclaim the gospel.
Obey Christ’s commands.
Persevere through suffering.
Remain faithful until the Master returns.
Whether His return is today or decades from now, may He find us doing exactly what He commanded. “It will go well with that servant if he is found doing his job when his master comes.” (Matthew 24:46, CJB)
The return of Christ is not meant to produce fear or endless speculation—it is meant to produce faithful living.
Run Today’s Play
Ask, if Jesus returned today, would He find me faithfully doing what He has called me to do?
Share the gospel or intentionally encourage someone to follow Christ.
Identify one area where comfort has replaced obedience, and repent by taking one concrete step of faithful action today.
The Master is coming. Live today in such a way that you will rejoice—not shrink back—when you see Him.
