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His coming as the Son of man. But the everything, but it is not His place as
generation who sees the “abomination of the perfect Servant to speak of a sub-
desolation” and the “affliction,” and the ject which is the Father’s domain.
“false Christs and false prophets” with The second is to accept that “no man
their “signs and wonders,” and the great knoweth the Son, but the Father” (Mat
cosmic disturbances in the sun, moon and 11:27). There is a mystery about the incar-
stars, will also see the “coming of the Son nation which we will never fully solve. He
of man” (vv14,19,22,24-25). His arrival will
be imminent for them. who is God has access to all knowledge at
The Lord also confirms the Inevitability all times; and yet He who is also the per-
of His Coming: “Heaven and earth shall fect Man may, by willing self-limitation,
pass away: but my words shall not pass decide not to appropriate that knowledge
away” (v31). What a wonder this is, and at any given time. How this works is a
what a comfort for these believers! They mystery to us.
will witness cosmic disturbances greater Finally, there are the Imperatives of His
than ever seen before, but the Lord assures Coming: “Take ye heed, watch and pray
them that the shaking of creation will not …. Watch ye therefore …. And what I say
shake His promises. The world may pass unto you I say unto all, Watch” (vv33-37).
away, but His words will not. He will Spiritual lethargy and sluggishness
surely come. may mark servants in the absence of their
Next is the Ignorance of His Coming: “But Lord, so believers are exhorted to remain
of that day and that hour knoweth no man, spiritually alert by continued prayerful
no, not the angels in heaven, neither the dependence on God. The Son of man is
Son, but the Father” (v32). In Acts 1, the “as a man taking a far journey” and leav-
Lord taught His disciples, “It is not for you
to know the times or the seasons, which ing his house in the care of servants. The
the Father hath put in his own power” servants have sufficient authority and
(v7). The program, including dates and instructions to serve well in their master’s
times, are the preserve of the Father. It is absence, but they should not lose sight
His plan and His timetable. Men on earth of the fact that he will return. “Watch
are ignorant of the day and hour. Angels ye therefore: for ye know not when the
in heaven are likewise ignorant. But master of the house cometh, at even, or
what of the Son? Here, as ever, we must at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in
remember His uniqueness. The eternally the morning: lest coming suddenly he find
omniscient One says He does not know you sleeping” (vv35-36).
the “day and hour” of His coming. Being caught napping at the return of
Two options are available to us. The first any master would cause shame. How
is explained by William MacDonald: “We much more shameful would it be to be
believe the key to the answer is found in spiritually lethargic when the Son of man
John 15:15: ‘a servant does not know what returns? And so, the Lord gives His final
his master is doing.’” The Lord knows
3
charge, “And what I say unto you I say
unto all, Watch” (v37). Surely, as we await
3 William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible
Commentary: New Testament (Nashville, TN: the Lord’s coming to the air, we can take
Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), 173. this solemn lesson to ourselves.

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