Words of the Master (Part 3) — The Hour is Near Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Words of the Master (Part 3) — The Hour is Near ----------------------- Date: 8/29/1999 Keywords: "readiness" "second coming" "watchfulness" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: Matthew 24:42-44* 42. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Questions 1. When you're expecting visitors, isn't it easier to keep pure?   2. If you knew Jesus was coming tonight, would you be doing what you're doing now?   3. What preparations should you be making?    Practical help God tends not to announce his arrival with fanfare and flourish. He comes unannounced, when least expected, and in ways and forms that surprise us. The scriptures are full of such examples. Yet, we continue to live as if real manifestations of the presence of God just don't, and can't, happen. It's not true that he comes completely without warning, though. This passage is but one example of the hundreds of scriptures that announce in advance God's presence and his dealings with his people. When he does come for us, we will have no excuse for failing to be ready. The message is: Be ready. Like the good Boy Scout, "Be Prepared." Be listening for that knock on the door that announces Jesus is here. Continually be on your guard for that other thief, Satan, who wants to take your soul. But, don't think you can avoid being surprised when Jesus does come. For that reason, you can never afford to let down your guard and "take a breather." You can't, just because there's some slack time, nobody around, and nothing good on TV, get online and chase illicit cybersex, and be confident that he won't catch you, that it won't happen tonight. And as we saw yesterday, you can't fool God -- he knows what you're doing, even if he decides tonight isn't the night to send his Son again. eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1999 by eXXit *Scriptures are from The Holy Bible: New International Version © Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved.