A layman's commentary on Matthew 24 verses 44 through 51. Be alert because you do not know the hour.

 Let's end this dive into Matthew 24.

Our last look into Matthew 24 gave us this:

“Therefore, be alert, because you don’t know on what day your Lord will return. You realize that if a homeowner had known at what time of the night a thief was coming, he would have stayed awake. He would not have let the thief break into his house. Therefore, you, too, must be ready because the Son of Man will return when you least expect him.”
Matthew 24:42-44 GW

In addition to not being deceived, Jesus asks us to be alert and stay awake – not literally. Still, it certainly conveys the idea that those of us who trust in Jesus' word are to pay attention to the signs we are NOW experiencing.

"Who is the faithful and sensible servant whose master puts him in charge of the household staff, to give them their food at the proper time?”
Matthew 24:45 CJB

Referring to you as a servant would almost be insulting, but Jesus did. I have a question.

Do servants have an option to question the master's commands?

Not unless they have an extraordinary relationship with the master, but even then, they probably know that there is a line that should never be crossed. Well, if Jesus is calling us servants, then perhaps we should pay attention and be alert.

Who is Jesus referring to when He speaks of servants who have been put in charge of the household staff to give them their food at the proper time?

Since the subject matter is the Jewish people and their culture, then would it surprise you if I told you that He is talking about the religious leadership of Israel.

Can I apply this to myself?

I am and you would be wise to quickly do the same.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary indicates that this is a test and implies that even the care of the earth has been under our influence. I would say that our corporate leaders have failed miserably as we sought the almighty dollar to excesses. It sounds like we are under the law, and to a degree, we are, for the law was the only reasonable substitute since the earth, through Adam, fell under the curse.

The response to the question, “who is the faithful and sensible servant,” comes in verse 46.

“It will go well with that servant if he is found doing his job when his master comes.” Matthew 24:46 CJB

This speaks about God's judgment, the seven years of wrath that will be poured out upon:

1. The nations – this includes all who reject Jesus, the Messiah.

2. The Jewish leadership: for teaching others to reject Yeshua, for rejecting the Messiah, who is spelled out explicitly in the Torah, and all while tormenting those who would accept Jesus as the Messiah.

3. And He is going to pour out His wrath upon those who have killed the people and destroyed the earth in their quest for wealth.

What is our job?

Preach the good news whenever possible and wait eagerly for His return.

A parable, titled by the modern translators, reads like this.

“You Must Be Ready”

Luke 12:35 CJB "Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit,”

Verse 35 should have a familiar ring to it.

It sounds like our Lord pulled aspects from “The Parable of the Ten Virgins,” which we find in Matthew 25:1-13. All of them took oil lamps, while half took additional oil in case the night went longer than expected. Those who did not bring extra oil became arrogant and demanding when their lamps ran out. (Keep in mind that they had the same opportunity to prepare.) Sounds like half of them just weren't all that interested.

If you are stumbling because of the parable of the ten virgins, then you should know I was accosted by a brother at church, who publicly challenged me as to why I was advocating for Jesus' soon return. He said, we have been looking for Jesus for over two thousand years, and He hasn't come back; He is NOT coming back any time soon, so stop already.

Luke 12:36 CJB “like people waiting for their master's return after a wedding feast; so that when he comes and knocks, they will open the door for him without delay.

Matthew 22 speaks of those gathered from the Gentiles.

"Then he *said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 'Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.' "Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.”
Matthew 22:8-10 NASB

Let's look at this portion of the paragraph for a moment.

“ but those who were invited were not worthy.”

Initially, who were the invited?

Israel, or better stated, the descendants of Abraham.

The word “worthy” is the Hebrew word áxios. According to Mounce's dictionary, it means worthy of or deserving, either good or evil. Initially, God declared Abraham and his descendants áxios, or worthy of good (or evil, which we see in Deuteronomy 28 – the blessings and cursings if you do not follow after God).

Interesting how the slaves, doing what the master said, found in the streets both evil and good, and with these people, they filled the wedding hall with dinner guests. In general. Here is a touch of sarcasm. It does not take long to notice that this group included worthy people like Caleb (he was not a descendant of Jacob and, therefore, a Gentile.)

Aren't you glad God found us.

But Matthew 22:11 gives us a piece of perplexing information.

"But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, and he *said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless.”
Matthew 22:11-12 NASB

Seeing as we have an overabundance of homeless living on our streets, you would be hard-pressed to find any with “wedding clothes.”

Finis Jennings Dake conveys this. 

“The poorer classes would not have festive apparel, and they were therefore provided for by the king from his own extensive wardrobe. This is one of the most interesting details of the parable. It was a special mark of honor to receive a garment which had been used by royalty, and kings sometimes showed their liberality by giving freely to others whom they sought to honor.”

Dr. J Vernon McGee states.

That wedding garment is the righteousness of Christ, which is absolutely essential for salvation, and it is supplied to all who believe.

We see the believers clothed in white.

“He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”
Revelation 3:5 NASB

Once we reach chapter four of Revelation, the church is not discussed, yet there is this peculiar reference.

“Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.”
Revelation 4:4 NASB

Could it also be that these, clothed in white garments, represent the church?

The logical answer is yes because there are many other references to the white garments and the bride, which is us, the church.

And we can know what being ready looks like.

“The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat!” Luke 12:37 NLT

Ready and waiting anxiously for his return.

What happens to those who are doing their job?

"Truly I say to you that He (Jesus) will put him(the servant that does what He asks) in charge of all his possessions.”
Matthew 24:47 NASB

Paul's letter to the church in Corinth speaks to this very thing.

“Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”
2 Corinthians 5:9-10 NASB

Here, we will be rewarded by Christ. Jesus ended this portion of His talk like this.

''But if that evil slave says in his heart, 'My master is not coming for a long time,' and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 24:48-51 NASB

Consider this excerpt.

“the master of that slave will come on a day when he (the evil slave) does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites.”

I always hear this; no man knows the day or the hour. I suppose the implication is that you should wait anxiously for Him, but that is not the end of the story.

Paul said we are not in the darkness that we should not know, and Paul states that it is for us to know.

Paul, having taught the Church body in Thessaloniki that Christ is going to come back for His bride, the Church, but somebody came afterward and frightened them into believing that they had missed the rapture, the catching away of the church. (The Greek word for rapture is harpazo, and the Latin is rapio. Nonetheless, he is coming back. Since the collective signs are happening around us rapidly, it behooves us to look for Jesus.)

So, “that slave” who does not expect Him will be in the dark about the timing and return of our Lord.

A few paragraphs earlier, I talked about the brother in Christ who berated me for encouraging people to look longingly for Jesus. I know this brother, and he leans toward legalism, but I think it is necessary for him to keep his life in order. I lived my life under a constrained religious legalism, and no, thank you, that is not for me. It was for freedom that Christ has set me free, and I will not allow anyone to try to put me back into that bondage.

Does living in freedom condemn me to hell?

One brother in Christ likes to think so, and he creates rules in his head that those outside of his head have to live by. He will tell you that everyone who does not accept Jesus NOW will have NO chance to accept Him after the Church leaves this earth.

Is that true?

The answer is an emphatic NO, as the Holy Spirit will still be on earth, drawing as many to Jesus as will come.

Is it true that grace will indeed be gone? What that means to those who come to Christ during the seven years of wrath is that you will have to prove your allegiance to Christ by losing your life for your testimony, but not to worry, Jesus will be there to escort you into eternity.

Did you know that I learned how to sin as a Christian?

Yes, thinking too long on that thought will get my head spinning. All I know and now lean on is I am so glad that God found me and sought me out.

They have as king over them, Abaddon. Revelation 9:7-11.

 

We ended Revelation 9:6 with people wanting to die, but could not, thanks to locusts that sting like a scorpion. I have never been stung; don't want to. I suspect, it would incapacitate me. With the premise that I would be running for my life, do you think I would really care what their agitated little faces look like? I learned of the killer hornets from the Discovery channel, several years ago. I have never had any desire to look one of those in the eyes either. Let's see how it goes.

So, I am torn, to paint a verbal picture of their faces as John did, or merely slide past it to something more poignant.

Revelation 9:7-11 NASB "The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle, and on their heads appeared to be crowns like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men. (8) They had hair like the hair of women, and their teeth were like the teeth of lions. (9) They had breastplates like breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to battle. (10) They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months. (11) They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon."

1. “ The appearance of the locusts was like horses prepared for battle;”

   I might take this to mean that they fly in battle rank and order. Already, I am intimidated.

2. “ on their heads appeared to be crowns like gold, and their faces were like the faces of men.”

   Something that seems to be, and “they had gold crowns” are two entirely different things. What I do know, is that Jesus wears a crown of gold, and this little demon horde also seems to wear a crown of gold. Bright and shiny it may be, but we really know nothing more.

3. “They had hair like the hair of women,”

   This is beginning to come off like some horror movie. The mere fact that they had hair like the hair of a woman makes you think that there would be some attractiveness to them. I don't think so.

4. “and their teeth were like the teeth of lions.”

   Locusts have no need for teeth like a lion's; unless, the full intent is to send humans into a depressing delusion. Just knowing that they have sharp cutting and tearing teeth opens the door to other nightmares.

5. “They had breastplates like breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was like the sound of chariots, of many horses rushing to battle.”

   You will be able to hear them coming.

6. “They have tails like scorpions, and stings; and in their tails is their power to hurt men for five months.”

   This nightmarish aspect is not what most would like to hear, because we see humans crying out to die and cannot.

7. “They have as king over them, the angel of the abyss; his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek he has the name Apollyon.”

   A king? This is the Greek word basileus and means a sovereign – a foundation of power.

   Ask yourself, who is the angel that has the power over Sheol/hell, although he is lacking the keys anymore?

   The answer is Lucifer, the day star. We now call him Satan. There is no doubt in my mind that someone will try to start an argument because scripture tells us his name, in Hebrew, is Abaddon.

   Good luck defending your argument, as the only place you will find this reference in the KJV is in Revelation 9:11. Unfortunately, you are sadly lacking witnesses if you stay with the KJV, what many think is the only valid Bible translation. Fortunately, it is also found in Job and Proverbs if you can find it in your heart to switch to the NASB.

   It is evident, to me, that John, spoke at least two languages, and may have understood Aramaic. The logical assumption is that John heard the rabbinical teachers referring to Abaddon, and Apollyon as the ruler over Sheol; and, therefore throws it into the setting as part of his explanation.

   By the way, even though I have not knowingly mentioned it in the last several posts, John was writing to a community of Jewish believers.

   How can I know that?

   For one, there is his reference, here in Revelation 9, to a subject that is explained in both Greek and Hebrew. Some might try to point out that under Roman rule, it was mandatory to speak Greek and the fact that Jewish language and writings were illegal. Add this understanding to the descriptions within the Revelation, that we have already seen, that point back to the Old Testament, books not familiar to most Gentile populations. Secondly, in the first three chapters of the Revelation the conversation is directed at the early and historic church bodies. One of those church bodies is described as worshiping at the synagogue of Satan;

   Revelation 2:9 NASB 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

   Revelation 3:9 NASB 'Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie--I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.

   - this is a conversation that means little to someone with no knowledge of Jewish synagogues. All this plays into our understanding of this angel that has power over Sheol - a Jewish word and concept.

   The Greek for Abaddon is Ἀβαδδών and means a destroying angel, or, as Mounce's commentary tells us, the angel who rules in hell.

   Does that help you?

   Yeah, me neither. And so I have to take someone's word for it or spend hours searching for an answer.

   The Word Study Dictionary tells us that Abaddon is a transliteration from the Hebrew. Transliteration by definition, is to write or print (a letter or word) using the closest corresponding letters of a different alphabet or script.

   Abaddon, according to Strong's concordance, designates this place as the abode of unbelievers following death and is synonymous with Sh^e’ōl (H7585) which is expressed by destruction and loss.

   How can it be the name of the fallen angel and a place at the same time?

   The answer to that question lies in the fact it was named after the entity that held the keys. While the name may not have changed, this fallen angel, Lucifer/Satan, no longer holds the keys. I give you the entirety of the passage as it demonstrates the magnificence of Jesus Christ.

   Revelation 1:12-18 NASB (12) "Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; (13) and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. (14) His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. (15) His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. (16) In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. (17) When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, (18) and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades."

   Hades is the place of the dead.

   So all these demonic entities, coming out of the smoke, are responding to the commands of the deceiver, Satan.

   Abyss grk – abussos: is the bottomless pit; place or abode of the dead.

   The Word Study Dictionary tells us it occurs only twice outside the book of Revelation (Romans 10:7, simply the abode of the dead; Luke 8:31, the prison destined for evil spirits.)

   Effectively, Abaddon and the Abyss are the same place.

   Luke 8:26-31 AMPC "Then they came to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. (27) Now when Jesus stepped out on land, there met Him a certain man out of the town who had [was possessed by] demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he lived not in a house but in the tombs. (28) And when he saw Jesus, he raised a deep (terrible) cry [from the depths of his throat] and fell down before Him [in terror] and shouted loudly, What have You [to do] with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? [What have we in common?] I beg You, do not torment me! (29) For Jesus was already commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For many times it had snatched and held him; he was kept under guard and bound with chains and fetters, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the wilderness (desert). (30) Jesus then asked him, What is your name? And he answered, Legion; for many demons had entered him. (31) And they begged [Jesus] not to command them to depart into the Abyss (bottomless pit)."

   
   

   Answer me this, how is it that these demons knew of this abyss and that they did not want to go there?