TOJ #142: Christ’s second coming will be visible and instantaneous. [MT 24:27-28//MK 13:26//LK 21:27] The connection with judgment is found in Hebrews 9:27-28. The reference to vultures could be literal, or it might signify the arrival of hell’s angels to collect the demonic souls who remain behind after Believers are raptured (the next TOJ).
TOJ #143: Believers living at the time of the end will be raptured. [MT 24:31&40-41//LK 17:30-35] “Raptured” means translated to heaven without experiencing death. Paul also mentioned this phenomenon (in 1CR 15:51 & 1THS 4:17).
TOJ #144: Only God the Father knows when the end will come. [MT 24:36//MK 13:32] Some people might find it disconcerting that Jesus could be mistaken or ignorant about the exact time salvation history will end, but they should realize that He was human (1TM 2:5) and had finite capabilities, which is the reason His moral perfection qualified Him to be Messiah (HB 2:17-18, 4:15, 5:7-9). If Jesus did not know, Believers in Him certainly should not be concerned with the date {ACTS 1:7}. (See TOJ #57.)
TOJ #145: The omega event will be unexpected. [MT 24:27&37-39//LK 17:24&26-27, LK 12:39-40, 17:28-29] Paul also taught this (in 1THS 5:2-6). Thus, the need for the next TOJ.
TOJ #146: Be prepared. [MT 24:42-44//MK 13:33-37, LK 12:35-40, 21:34-36] This is the explicit significance of the previous TOJ, and how to be ready is explained in the next one. Readiness is signified by oil in the Parable of the Ten Virgins. {MT 25:1-13}
TOJ #147: Readiness consists of being good stewards of God’s gifts. [MT 24:45-51] In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, readiness is signified by having lamp oil, which might symbolize good deeds (JM 2:17, EPH 2:10) {MT 25:1-13, LK 12:35}, and in the Parable of the Talents, the monetary talents represent any resource, ability or opportunity a person possesses. {MT 25:14-30//LK 19:12-27} The “more” that is given to the person who does well with what he/she “has” may include temporal blessings, but it certainly refers to blessings in heaven.
TOJ #143: Believers living at the time of the end will be raptured. [MT 24:31&40-41//LK 17:30-35] “Raptured” means translated to heaven without experiencing death. Paul also mentioned this phenomenon (in 1CR 15:51 & 1THS 4:17).
TOJ #144: Only God the Father knows when the end will come. [MT 24:36//MK 13:32] Some people might find it disconcerting that Jesus could be mistaken or ignorant about the exact time salvation history will end, but they should realize that He was human (1TM 2:5) and had finite capabilities, which is the reason His moral perfection qualified Him to be Messiah (HB 2:17-18, 4:15, 5:7-9). If Jesus did not know, Believers in Him certainly should not be concerned with the date {ACTS 1:7}. (See TOJ #57.)
TOJ #145: The omega event will be unexpected. [MT 24:27&37-39//LK 17:24&26-27, LK 12:39-40, 17:28-29] Paul also taught this (in 1THS 5:2-6). Thus, the need for the next TOJ.
TOJ #146: Be prepared. [MT 24:42-44//MK 13:33-37, LK 12:35-40, 21:34-36] This is the explicit significance of the previous TOJ, and how to be ready is explained in the next one. Readiness is signified by oil in the Parable of the Ten Virgins. {MT 25:1-13}
TOJ #147: Readiness consists of being good stewards of God’s gifts. [MT 24:45-51] In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, readiness is signified by having lamp oil, which might symbolize good deeds (JM 2:17, EPH 2:10) {MT 25:1-13, LK 12:35}, and in the Parable of the Talents, the monetary talents represent any resource, ability or opportunity a person possesses. {MT 25:14-30//LK 19:12-27} The “more” that is given to the person who does well with what he/she “has” may include temporal blessings, but it certainly refers to blessings in heaven.
