The Boy Scouts' Motto

13/12/2016

S: Matthew 24

O: Different Christians have different interpretations of this passage, because of different views of eschatology. Some Christians believe this deals with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in A.D. 70, while others believe that it has to do with the Battle of Armageddon -- the ultimate Last Battle of the End Times.

In a previous Life Journal entry, I discussed how the parallel passage in Luke helps explain one of the mysteries here, the Abomination of Desolation.

But in today's reading, I was struck by what the main point was: The main point wasn't all these details about what's happening. The main point, which Jesus repeated several times in many passages was this: “Therefore stay alert, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42) (Thanks to Tim Bulkeley for highlighting this in a sermon in November.)

The reference to "just like the days of Noah" (Matthew 24:37), the two men, one taken, one left (Matthew 24:40), the two women one taken, one left (Matthew 24:41), the thief in the night (Matthew 24:43), "Therefore you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him" (Matthew 24:44) , the parable of the faithful slave vs the bad slave (Matthew 24:45-51), the parable of the 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the judgment seat of Christ (Matthew 25:31-46) all are shouting the Boy Scouts' Motto: "Be prepared!"

A: It's fine to discuss and debate your particular eschatological view with other Christians (as long as it's done in a brotherly manner) but at the end of it, it doesn't matter if you're preterist, postmillennial, pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, amillennial, or whatever.

All of us will meet our maker. Whether the rapture is today, tomorrow, in a million years, or is purely allegorical, we could step in front of a bus tomorrow or die in a car crash, or have a heart attack, etc. So we should always be ready. Always be following what Jesus wants us to do.

P: Father, when I am tempted to sin, may I remember this, and "be prepared". In Jesus' name, amen.

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Note: this is using the SOAP method. For more information, see this page (not written by me.)