34 I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. 35 Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left. "
Matthew renders these verses in this way:
36 "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father . 37 As it was in the days of Noah , so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Matt 24:36-41 (NIV)
Of course the logical conclusion to the above passage is found in the very next verses:
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. Matt 24:42-44 (NIV)
“Confidence and sensuality are likely to be the epidemic diseases of the latter days. All are off their watch, and at their ease. As the flood took away the sinners of the old world, irresistibly and irrecoverably; so shall confident sinners, who mocked at Christ and his coming, be taken away.” Matthew Henry
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 2 Tim 3:1-5 (NIV)
28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32 (NIV)
Rejecting the knowledge of God - choosing to put Him out of their minds - leads to God’s judgment of abandonment which, Scripture says and history proves out, will lead to a depraved mind. Let’s face it; apart from Christ man is depraved. Those who believe in Jesus, on the other hand, are to be actively pursuing His pleasure, watching and waiting for our Lord’s return so that He will not find us sleeping - senseless or inactive – upon His arrival. An earthly sensual conduct is not appropriate for the child of the King. We are to put away the corrupt desires and affections that permeate the affairs of the world. As in the days of Lot and of Noah people were busy going about their business oblivious to the impending doom. We are told to watch, take care, and be on our guard. We are also to live with hope and joy. Peter gives us the following instructions regarding Jesus’ return:
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:11-13 (NIV)
The expectation of Christ’s return should be a strong motivation to us towards holy living. Paul adds these words in Titus:
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)
”If there is one doctrine I have preached more than another, it is the doctrine of the Perseverance of the Saints even to the end.” Charles H. Spurgeon
“Our identity as Jesus’ followers should define and dictate our lives.” Joseph Stowell, III
“Three qualities that distinguish a Godly person – confidence (in Christ), authority (of Christ) and effectiveness (conforming one’s conduct to the principles of Scripture and submitting to the control of the Hoy Spirit) produces results.” Chuck Swindoll