The Twenty-fourth chapter of Matthew is one of great controversy in the religious world. Many try to apply all of the chapter to the return of Jesus to judge the world on the last day. Really, the chapter deals with two occurrences. One is the destruction of Jerusalem which would happen in AD 70. The other occurrence does deal with the coming of the Lord to judge the world in righteousness (1 Thessalonians 1:7-9). The time of the destruction of Jerusalem nor the return of Jesus, to judge the world, was known to the people of Jesus day. We still do not know when Jesus will come back to pronounce judgment and give reward.
However, what is really interesting in this passage is the idea that no one but the Father knows when the coming of Jesus the Bridegroom would be. When a couple were betrothed during those days, the groom would go prepare a bridal chamber for his beloved. The father of the groom was the one who chose the day and hour when it was time for the groom to go bring his bride to celebrate the marriage feast and consummate the marriage.
John 14:2–3 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
We know that Jesus went to heaven to prepare a place for us {his church and bride} (John 14:2-3). Jesus told those in His hearing back in Mathew 23:36, that at that time “only the Father in heaven” knew when Jesus would return. “No One Knows That Day and Hour 36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” I’ve always wondered why Jesus said this. As it turns out the bridegroom never knew the day he would return to claim his bride, only his father knew. The time, when the bride and groom were separated served as a proving time. The bride would prove her fidelity to the groom.
In very much the same way, the bride of Christ is in a proving time. We are proving our fidelity to Jesus until He comes to take us home. When God proclaims it is time for Jesus to return, there will be a shout!
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
We as His bride who are faithful will rejoice and go to the great marriage feast prepared for us (Revelation 19:6-9).
“And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” ” (Revelation 19:9).
What a wonderful blessing it is for Jesus to remind us that He is our groom, God is the Father who will send Him to claim us, His bride. I wonder if you are married to the great Bridegroom? Have you washed your robes so they are white and ready to celebrate the return of our Jesus!
Worship Thoughts 