The date is August 24th, and the year is 79 AD. We are in a village about 15 miles south of Naples, Italy. The day started just as every other day had. People woke up, they ate breakfast, and started their usual routine. Some went off to their jobs, others headed to the marketplace, and then some might have headed off to school. As the day progressed, life was just as it had always been. If someone had paid attention, the mountain just a few miles away was occasionally giving off some small puffs. If they had noticed, they didn’t pay much attention to it, and that was a fatal mistake. If they had, they might have warned the community, people would have quickly gotten out of town, and lives saved. That afternoon that mountain, which was Mt. Vesuvius blew in a thunderous volcano, and several thousand people in that village of Pompeii died. The suddenness of their destruction is forever immortalized in the archeological remains of that village. Jesus warns us in our Scripture today of another day which will suddenly come, and which will forever change lives. Will we be prepared? Let’s take a look at God’s Word.
Today’s Scripture passage is from the Gospel of Matthew, and it continues on with Jesus’ Olivet Discourse, a series of teachings He gave just days before the crucifixion. Jesus warned His followers of the need to be ready when He will return at His Second Coming. The Savior spoke about another time in history, during the days of Noah, when people’s lives were going on like usual. Then suddenly something happened that they weren’t prepared for, specifically the Flood, and sudden destruction came upon them (vs. 37-39). It took Noah several years to build the Ark, and during that time he was witnessing to the people, and telling them about the coming Flood. However, everyone ignored him, even mocking him. They were oblivious to their impending judgment. Then the flood came suddenly, sweeping away the unprepared.
Jesus warned that things will be similar when He returns. The world today mirrors the complacency of the people at the time of Noah and the Flood. Most people today ignore or mock God’s warnings. They pursue their own pleasures and routines, but are blind to eternal realities.
As He describes, when Jesus returns there will be a division between people - those who are prepared for Him, and those who are not (vs. 40-41). Salvation is personal. Who we are related to doesn’t matter for anyone. One could be the child of one of the greatest preachers who ever lived, but if they are not saved themselves, it won’t matter. They will be left. Nor does it matter what job you have or how many Christians you know. Only personal faith in Jesus matters. One will be taken, and the other won’t.
As Jesus continues His message, He warns His followers to be constantly alert and ready for His return (vs. 42-44). He compares His return to that of a thief coming in the middle of the night. We never know when that happens. So it will be when Jesus returns. It will be unexpected, disruptive to one’s daily life, and it will be unavoidable. The fate of everyone will then be determined. Because of this, we need to live holy and alert lives, not being lulled into spiritual slumber. Readiness means walking in obedience, telling others about the Savior, and keeping eternity in view.
There are no signs that pinpoint the exact day or hour when Jesus’ return will occur. It could be at any moment. Thus, each individual person should be prepared. No one can rely on another’s faith. Outside of faith in Jesus Christ, final destruction is sure to everyone. No rank, possession, or character will be enough to save a single soul who has not believed in Jesus. All were safe on the Ark from the lowliest critter to the most powerful. All are safe who come to Jesus in faith.
God provided one solitary way of escape from the flood waters, and that was the Ark. Only Noah and his family got on, and only they were spared. Because they rejected God’s way to be spared, everyone else was doomed to die in the Flood. God has provided one solitary way of salvation to escape from eternal destruction today, and that is through the Name of Jesus (Acts 4:12). The only true safety and security in these days is by resting securely in the hands of the Savior.
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