“But Be Sure of This”

“IF” the Head of the Household Had Known…

From Jesus' perspective, "But Be Sure of This" is a direct command to heads of ALL households to possess certain knowledge and certainty regarding His return. It means to actively KNOW, WATCH, BE ALERT, and BE READY for His coming, emphasizing that this is not optional information but a required understanding to avoid devastating consequences.

Looking Around the Room, I am Looking for Those Who are Awake

Ever wondered IF your spiritual alarm clock is set to "snooze" while the universe is hitting "warp speed"? This article isn't just a friendly reminder; it's a cosmic wake-up call for EVERY head of household, revealing THE MOST consequential "IF" in Scripture with enough punch to make even the most seasoned procrastinator grab their spiritual coffee and get ready for the grandest reveal in history.

THE Command Every Head of Household Must Heed

“But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.” (Matthew 24:43)

Get ready to ditch the spiritual PJs and suit up in His Armor of Grace – because the King is coming, and He expects you to know the time!

The Most Consequential “IF” in Scripture

The Garden God Is Restoring

Before we excavate the most urgent warning in all of Scripture—before we unpack the devastating “IF” that hangs over every head of household—we must see the BIG PICTURE.

EDEN is God’s Heart, His PLAN, revealing His absolute goodness. SO DO NOT MOCK HIS HEART.

Do you know what the original word (name) for Eden means? Have you ever wondered what the name “Eden” means? What is it, and why is it so important to God, our Father?

God is the Gardener.

He has a Garden in mind. He knows exactly what He wants to grow in this Garden.

The Garden is EDEN—“Delight.”

But not the Eden we lost. The Eden restored, redeemed, and reconciled.

What God is growing in His Garden?

The House of God—where the Triune God communes in complete fellowship with His glorified sons and daughters, the children of God brought to glory.

Who owns the Garden?

God the Father owns everything, and He shares EVERYTHING with the Son of God, through the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of God. In other words, THE Unity of THE Faith.

Who created everything in the Garden?

Jesus Christ created all things and has complete reign by Grace, holding the Father’s authority, honor, and glory—which He will soon give to us, those who believe and love His appearing, those called, chosen, and elected before the foundation of the world to walk in HIS GREATER WORKS, the works of God IN CHRIST.

Think of the Kingdom of God like a BIG GARDEN because that is how the Bible describes His Kingdom:

- Full of GRACE (provision of everything)
- With nothing missing
- Nothing broken
- Nothing hidden

We are co-reigning in this restored, redeemed, and reconciled Garden with King Jesus—ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.

This is the Gospel of the Kingdom. This is what Jesus preached. This is what the apostles proclaimed. This is what we are waiting for.

But before God can rebuild HIS EDEN—His dream, desire, and will—HE MUST:

Reveal all truth by exposing every lie

Crush the conceit and delusion of humanity

Expose the lawlessness of SELF—self-rule and self-governance

And here is the scandal of Grace:

Before judgment comes—after the Rapture but before the Great Tribulation fully unfolds—Jesus will bring forth ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY for humanity to call out to Him and receive by Grace His HUMILITY, SURRENDER, OBEDIENCE, and LOVE.

But first, the Bride must be gathered.

Jesus is coming to gather His Bride BEFORE judgment comes upon an unbelieving world.

And those left behind—the unbelieving world—can still avoid the eternal punishment of their sins, but only if they are crushed like grapes:

- Their false human power crushed (revealing true weakness)

- Their false strength, might, pride, lust, and ego crushed like grapes and turned into wine

Remember the pattern:

- YHWH tore down the Temple twice (Babylonian destruction, Roman destruction)

- Jesus started His ministry by cleansing the Temple (John 2:13-17)

- Jesus ended His earthly ministry by cleansing the Temple again (Matthew 21:12-13)

Jesus is coming to destroy ALL FORMS of pride, ego, and lust—in the world AND in His Church.

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PART 1: THE HOLY SPIRIT—The Seal, The Transformer, The Guarantee

Before we arrive at the most urgent command in Scripture, we must understand WHO enables obedience.

Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to those who believe.

John 7:39 - “But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

Acts 2:38 - “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

The Holy Spirit is GIVEN—received, not earned.

John 3:34 - “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.”

Without measure = unlimited, abundant, complete supply.

Jesus is the life-giving Spirit, and He gives life to whoever He pleases.

John 5:21 - “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes.”

John 6:63 - “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

1 Corinthians 15:45 - “So also it is written, ‘The first man, Adam, became a living soul.’ The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.”

Jesus = the life-giving Spirit.

Once Sealed, Forever Secure

Ephesians 1:13-14 - “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.”

Sealed = stamped, marked as God’s possession, secured

Ephesians 4:30 - “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Sealed FOR the day of redemption = guaranteed until the completion

Romans 8:38-39 - “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

NOTHING can separate us.

Why? Because we are sealed by the Spirit. Our security doesn’t rest on our grip on God—it rests on God’s grip on us.

The Holy Spirit’s Work: Transformation from Inside Out

2 Corinthians 3:18 - “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”

We ARE BEING transformed (passive voice—God’s work, not ours)

Romans 8:29 - “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Conformed to His image = the goal of transformation

Philippians 1:6 - “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”

HE will perfect it—not us.

1 Peter 5:10 - “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”

God HIMSELF will:

- Perfect (restore, complete, make whole)

- Confirm (establish firmly, make steadfast)

- Strengthen (make strong, fortify)

- Establish (lay a firm foundation, ground securely)

This crushing transformation is HIS WORK—we receive it.

The Unity of the Faith

Ephesians 4:13 - “Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.”

The unity of THE faith—not “unity of faiths” (plural), but THE faith—which is Jesus.

Hebrews 12:2 - “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Jesus is:

- The author (originator, source) of faith

- The perfecter (completer, finisher) of faith

All faith originates with Him. All faith is completed by Him.

Romans 12:3 - “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.”

God ALLOTS faith—distributes it, gives it as He wills.

The faith we have = His gift. The unity we experience = His work. The transformation we undergo = His Spirit.

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PART 2: JESUS IS PREPARING HIS BRIDE

John 14:2-3 - “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”

I WILL COME AGAIN.

I WILL RECEIVE YOU TO MYSELF.

That WHERE I AM, there you may be also.

This is Rapture language. This is Bride language. This is THE promise.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”

Caught up (Greek: harpazo—snatched away, seized, taken by force)

To meet the Lord = the Bride going out to meet the Bridegroom

1 Thessalonians 5:9 - “For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

NOT destined for wrath.

1 Thessalonians 1:10 - “And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.”

Rescues us FROM the wrath—not THROUGH the wrath.

Revelation 3:10 - “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.”

Keep you FROM the hour of testing—not protect you IN the hour of testing.

The Bride is removed BEFORE the Great Tribulation—the time of God’s wrath poured out on an unbelieving world.

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PART 3: THE CRUSHING THAT MUST COME

Before Grace comes, there must be HUMILITY.

James 4:6 - “But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’”

1 Peter 5:5 - “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

God OPPOSES the proud.

But GIVES GRACE to the humble.

With His humility—given to us as a gift of grace—we can:

Surrender to Jesus as Master, Lord, and King

Be equipped and prepared by the Holy Spirit to obey Him

Our power, strength, might, wisdom, understanding must be CRUSHED—like Peter’s was—so there is NO pride, ego, or lust.

The Example of Peter:

Before his crushing, Peter boasted:

Matthew 26:33 - “But Peter said to Him, ‘Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.’”

Matthew 26:35 - “Peter said to Him, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.’”

Then came the crushing:

Matthew 26:69-75 - Peter denied Jesus three times, exactly as Jesus predicted. And when the rooster crowed:

“And he went out and wept bitterly.”

Peter’s self-confidence was CRUSHED.

But after the resurrection:

John 21:15-17 - Jesus restored Peter, asking three times, “Do you love Me?” Each time, Peter responded with humble dependence, no longer boasting in his own strength.

The result?

Acts 2 - Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, preached with power, and 3,000 were saved.

1 Peter 5:6 - Peter himself later wrote: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”

Peter learned: Humility FIRST, then grace. Crushing FIRST, then power. Death to self FIRST, then resurrection life.

In This Transformation We Are Given His Endurance and Patience

Romans 5:3-5 - “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

The progression:

- Tribulation → Perseverance
- Perseverance → Proven character
- Proven character → Hope
- Hope → Love poured out

All of it: HIS WORK through the Spirit.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 - “May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ.”

The steadfastness OF CHRIST—His endurance, given to us.

In this transformation, we are given His endurance and His patience to SEE, WATCH, and BELIEVE as this world spins out of control.

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PART 4: THE CENTER PIECE—Matthew 24:43

Which brings us to the ENTIRE POINT of this article:

The absolute, beautiful, devastating TRUTH revealed in Matthew 24:43—one crisp, clear TRUTH wrapped by Matthew 24:42, 44, and 45.

Matthew 24:42-44 - ”Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

The Command: “But Be Sure of This”

Let this sink in:

“BUT BE SURE OF THIS.”

Not “perhaps.” Not “consider this.” Not “it might be helpful to think about.”

BE SURE.

This is a COMMAND to KNOW something with CERTAINTY.

The Biggest “IF” in the History of Humanity

“IF the head of the house HAD KNOWN at what time of the night the thief was coming…”

This is the BIGGEST “IF” in the history of humanity.

Why?

Because it contains both:

A hypothetical condition (“IF…had known”)

A devastating implication (because he DIDN’T know, disaster occurred)

First, let’s acknowledge a critical fact:

There are NOT that many “IFs” in the Bible compared to the number of declarative statements and absolute truths.

The Bible is full of:

- “Thus says the LORD” (declarations)

- “I AM” statements (identity)

- “You shall” and “You shall not” (commands)

- “It is written” (established truth)

But conditional “IF” statements that carry this weight of consequence? Rare.

Let’s not gloss over this little fact—because the consequences are ANYTHING BUT LITTLE.

The Anatomy of the “IF”

“IF the head of the house HAD KNOWN…”

Breaking it down:

“IF” = a conditional statement introducing a hypothetical scenario

“The head of the house” = the one responsible for protecting the household

“HAD KNOWN” = past conditional—implies he SHOULD have known but DIDN’T

“At what time of the night” = specific timing, knowable information

“The thief was coming” = the event is certain; only the timing is in question

The implication:

“He would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.”

Result: If he HAD KNOWN, he WOULD HAVE BEEN ALERT, and the disaster WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED.

But since he DIDN’T know (or didn’t believe, or didn’t watch), the house WAS broken into.

The Devastating Implication

This means: YOU ARE REQUIRED TO KNOW.

This is not optional information.

This is not “nice to know.”

This is COMMANDED knowledge for heads of households.

The King of both Heaven and Earth has commanded the heads of households to:

- Be ALERT
- Be AWAKE
- Be WATCHING
- Be LOOKING
- Be WAITING (NOT PASSIVE)

THIS IS A COMMAND. OR ELSE.

There is a devastating consequence for:

- Not paying attention
- Not knowing
- Not watching
- Not being ready

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PART 5: “At That Time” and “Of That Day”—The Most Misunderstood Context

Before we return to “Therefore be on the alert” (Matthew 24:42)—which is sincerely ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT AND CONSEQUENTIAL SCRIPTURES IN THE BIBLE—let’s dig deep around the edges.

Let’s look at “At that time” and “Of that day” and how grossly misunderstood it is.

The Common Christian Response to Matthew 24

If you asked most Christians about Matthew 24, they would say:

1. “What?” (Because they don’t know the content or context)

OR

2. “No man knows the day or the hour.” (The ONLY verse they remember—usually quoted to SHUT DOWN any discussion of Christ’s return)

Meaning: They miss the most significant golden truth nugget ever found in the Bible.

They don’t understand, so they gloss over it—as if they are reading meaningless details of a story.

But these details are NOT meaningless. ANYTHING BUT MEANINGLESS.

“No Man Knows the Day or Hour”—Satan’s Tool

Matthew 24:36 - “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.”

This verse has been weaponized by the enemy to keep believers doing the OPPOSITE of what is commanded.

The command: BE ON THE ALERT. WATCH. BE READY.

Satan’s strategy: Use Matthew 24:36 to say, “Since no one knows, there’s no point in watching. Stop studying prophecy. Stop looking for signs. Just live your life.”

But look at the CONTEXT:

Matthew 24:32-33 - “Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.”

“YOU KNOW”—“RECOGNIZE THAT HE IS NEAR”

If we can’t know ANYTHING about timing, why did Jesus tell us to WATCH FOR SIGNS?

Matthew 24:42 - ”Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”

“BE ON THE ALERT”—this command would be meaningless if there was NOTHING to watch for.

Matthew 24:44 - ”For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

“YOU MUST BE READY”—again, this implies KNOWABLE information that prompts readiness.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-4 - “Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief.”

“YOU are NOT in darkness”—believers SHOULD NOT be surprised.

The day comes AS A THIEF to those IN DARKNESS (unbelievers).

But to those IN THE LIGHT (believers who are watching), the day should NOT overtake them as a thief.

“At That Time” and “Of That Day”

The Bible speaks clearly of “THAT DAY” and “THAT TIME”—specific, identifiable periods.

Matthew 24:19 - “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!”

Matthew 24:21-22 - “For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”

“THOSE DAYS”—a specific time period, identifiable by characteristics Jesus describes.

Matthew 24:29 - “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.”

“AFTER the tribulation of THOSE DAYS”—a defined period with a clear BEFORE and AFTER.

Matthew 24:12 - “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold.”

“Lawlessness is increased”—a specific condition characterizing “that time.”

Lawlessness = SELF-RULE, SELF-GOVERNANCE.

The love of SELF grows HOT.

The love of GOD grows COLD.

All because of LAWLESSNESS—refusing God’s rule, choosing autonomous self-governance.

This describes OUR TIME.

The Misunderstanding Is By Design

I believe “that time” and “that day” have been GROSSLY MISUNDERSTOOD—and the misunderstanding is BY DESIGN.

The design of the ENEMY is to hide the fullness of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

If Satan can keep Christians:

- Ignorant of prophecy
- Unaware of the times
- Unprepared for Christ’s return
- Focused on earthly kingdoms instead of God’s Kingdom

Then he accomplishes multiple goals:

Keeps the Bride ASLEEP (Matthew 25:5—the foolish virgins slumbered)

Prevents urgent evangelism (if Christ isn’t coming soon, why the rush?)

Encourages earthly-mindedness (build your kingdom here, not there)

Mocks the watchers (creating shame around studying prophecy)

Robs God of glory (the return of Christ glorifies God—delay robs Him of that glory in our generation)

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PART 6: THE COMMAND TO HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS

This article is written SPECIFICALLY to the HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS.

Who Is a “Head of Household”?

- Fathers
- Husbands
- Pastors
- Elders
- Shepherds
- Leaders of families, churches, and ministries

Anyone with STEWARDSHIP RESPONSIBILITY over others.

Remember: These Households Are a GIFT You Steward

You do NOT own them.

You are HIS SLAVES who have been given stewardship.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 - “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”

Stewards = managers of someone else’s property

Required = not optional

Trustworthy = faithful, reliable, dependable

Luke 12:42-43 - “And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.’”

The faithful steward:

- Gives rations at the proper time (feeds the household)

- Is found doing when the master returns (actively serving)

- Receives blessing (reward for faithfulness)

But the UNFAITHFUL steward?

Luke 12:45-46 - “But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers.”

The unfaithful steward:

- Says “My master will be a long time in coming” (delays the return)

- Beats the other slaves (abuses authority, serves himself)

- Eats, drinks, gets drunk (self-indulgence)

- Is cut in pieces (severe judgment)

- Assigned a place with unbelievers (eternal separation)

The stewardship slave relationship is CLEARLY ESTABLISHED.

“IF, HOWEVER”—The Big Word

Matthew 24:43 - “But be sure of this, that IF the head of the house had known…”

“IF, HOWEVER”—that BIG WORD.

IF the head of the household HAD KNOWN what hour the thief (in this case, Jesus) is coming, he would have been ready and alert.

Keep in mind: This command is wrapped in LAYERS AND LAYERS of warnings and commands to:

- Stay AWAKE
- Stay ALERT
- Stay WATCHING
- Stay WAITING

BECAUSE WE WILL KNOW, OR SHOULD KNOW.

That’s the point of the “IF.”

The End Is Here for Everyone

People who die in a car accident TODAY—this is their last day.

But the Bible clearly speaks of “THAT DAY”—a SPECIFIC day, a UNIQUE day, unlike all other days.

The Day of the Lord. The Day of Christ. The Day of His Appearing.

This is not just “any day someone dies.”

This is THE DAY—when:

- The Bride is gathered (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)

- The dead in Christ rise (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

- The living are transformed (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

- Wrath begins to be poured out (Revelation 6-19)

- The Tribulation begins (Daniel 9:27)

- The Antichrist is revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

“THAT DAY” is not a metaphor. It’s a LITERAL, SPECIFIC, FUTURE EVENT.

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PART 7: YOU ARE REQUIRED TO KNOW

“Had the Head of the Household HAD KNOWN”

Do not let those words pass from your lips or your brain.

If you are a father or a pastor, you NEED to read this.

“Had the head of the household HAD KNOWN.”

This means: YOU ARE REQUIRED TO KNOW.

Not suggested. Not recommended. REQUIRED.

The King of both Heaven and Earth has COMMANDED the heads of households to:

- Be ALERT
- Be AWAKE
- Be WATCHING
- Be LOOKING
- Be WAITING (NOT PASSIVE—actively anticipating)

THIS IS A COMMAND. OR ELSE.

The Devastating Consequence

There is a devastating consequence for:

- Not paying attention
- Not knowing
- Not watching
- Not being alert
- Not being ready

Matthew 24:48-51 - “But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

The evil slave:

- Says “My master is NOT COMING for a long time” (denies imminence)

- Beats fellow slaves (makes more money and uses those under his care)

- Eats and drinks with drunkards (worldly indulgence)

The result:

- The Master comes when he does not expect

- Cut in pieces (severe judgment)

- Assigned with hypocrites (religious pretenders)

- Weeping and gnashing of teeth (eternal torment)

This is not a light warning. This is an ETERNAL CONSEQUENCE.

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PART 8: FOR JESUS, THIS IS THE BIGGEST DEAL

The Rapture Is About More Than Our Comfort

For Jesus, the Rapture is not primarily about:

- Our flesh comfort
- Escaping tribulation
- Avoiding suffering

For Jesus, the Rapture is about:

1. The Revealing of the Sons and Daughters of God

Romans 8:19 - “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.”

ALL OF CREATION is waiting for this moment—when God’s glorified children are REVEALED.

Romans 8:21 - “That the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.”

The revealing of God’s children = the key to creation’s liberation.

2. His Bride

Ephesians 5:27 - “That He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”

He is presenting HIS BRIDE—spotless, glorious, perfect.

This is His great joy—His Bride, perfected and presented.

3. His Kingship

The Rapture inaugurates the final phase of God’s Kingdom plan:

- Bride gathered
- Wrath poured out
- Israel awakened
- Antichrist defeated
- Christ returns in glory
- 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom established

Revelation 11:15 - “Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.’”

4. The Saving of Humanity from All Evil and Darkness

The Rapture triggers the final salvation plan:

- Tribulation awakens many
- 144,000 Jewish evangelists sealed (Revelation 7)
- Two Witnesses prophesy (Revelation 11)
- Angel proclaims the eternal Gospel (Revelation 14:6)
- Great multitude saved (Revelation 7:9)

So YES, this is a BIG DEAL to Jesus and all of Heaven.

It’s All About the COMING KINGDOM

No MAGA movement can match what Jesus has done and will do. NOT EVEN CLOSE.

Isaiah 9:7 - “There will be no end to the increase of HIS GOVERNMENT or OF PEACE, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. THE ZEAL of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.”

Daniel 2:44 - “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.”

Revelation 20:4 - “Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

The 1,000-year reign is LITERAL, PHYSICAL, ON EARTH, with Christ as KING.

This is what ALL of Scripture has been pointing toward.

This is the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM.

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PART 9: JESUS’ PATTERN—Sending Out Witnesses

Jesus trained, equipped, blessed, and SENT:

1. The Twelve Disciples

Matthew 10:5-6 - “These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: ‘Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’”

The Twelve = sent to ISRAEL (the Jews)

They represent the Word of God going out to God’s covenant people first.

2. The Seventy

Luke 10:1 - “Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.”

The Seventy = sent to ALL NATIONS (Gentiles)

They went ahead of Jesus, preparing the way.

3. The Two Witnesses (Future)

Revelation 11:3 - “And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.”

The Two Witnesses = prophesying during the Tribulation, calling Israel to repentance

4. The 144,000 Jewish Evangelists (Future)

Revelation 7:4 - “And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel.”

Revelation 14:4 - “These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.”

The 144,000 = sealed Jewish evangelists spreading the Gospel during the Tribulation

5. The Great Angel (Future)

Revelation 14:6-7 - “And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, ‘Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters.’”

The Angel = proclaiming the eternal Gospel globally during the Tribulation

The Pattern

EVERYTHING is focused on:

- The coming of the KINGDOM
- The coming of the KING
- The GOSPEL going to all nations
- ISRAEL’S ultimate salvation
- GOD’S GLORY displayed to all creation

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PART 10: DO NOT BE A MOCKER

The last thing any man, woman, or child wants to be right now is a MOCKER—scoffing at those who BELIEVE every word in the Bible as it is written.

2 Peter 3:3-4 - “Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’”

The mockers say: “Where is the promise of His coming? Nothing is changing. Life goes on as normal.”

But Peter responds:

2 Peter 3:9-10 - “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.”

The Day WILL COME—like a thief, suddenly, unexpectedly.

DO ANYTHING—literally—but do NOT MOCK those who are fulfilling the call.

The Call: Matthew 24:45-51

Matthew 24:45-46 - ”Who then is the faithful and sensible slave whom his master put in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.”

The faithful slave:

- Gives food at the proper time (feeds the household spiritual truth)

- Is found doing when the master comes (actively serving)

- Receives blessing (reward)

Matthew 24:47 - “Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”

The reward: AUTHORITY in the Kingdom.

Matthew 24:48-51 - “But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is not coming for a long time,’ and begins to beat his fellow slaves and eat and drink with drunkards; the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour which he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’”

The evil slave:

- Says “My master is NOT COMING for a long time” (denies imminence)

- Beats fellow slaves (Abuses those watching)

- Drinks with drunkards (lives in the world chasing worldly living)

The punishment:

- Cut in pieces (severe judgment)
- Assigned with hypocrites (religious frauds)
- Weeping and gnashing of teeth (hell)

There Are Promises, and There Are Consequences

KNOW THEM BEFORE YOU MOCK.

Mocking the watchers = identifying with the EVIL SLAVE.

Encouraging the watchers = identifying with the FAITHFUL SLAVE.

Choose wisely.

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CONCLUSION: The Center Piece—Matthew 24:43

We return to where we began:

Matthew 24:43 - ”But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.”

This ENTIRE article is about Matthew 24:43—the centerpiece of Jesus’ message to every head of household.

The Message Is Extremely Clear

1. BE SURE OF THIS = know with certainty

2. IF the head of the house HAD KNOWN = you are REQUIRED to know

3. What TIME the thief was coming = timing is knowable

4. He WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE ALERT = watching prevents disaster

5. And WOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED his house to be broken into = failure to watch results in catastrophe

Jesus Is the “Thief”

Not because He is stealing—but because He is coming UNEXPECTEDLY to those who are not watching.

Revelation 16:15 - ”(‘Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes, so that he will not walk about naked and men will not see his shame.’)”

Jesus identifies HIMSELF as the “thief”—coming suddenly to those unprepared.

But to those watching? He is the BRIDEGROOM, eagerly awaited and joyfully received.

No Excuses for Missing

You are a head of household:

- Father
- Husband
- Pastor
- Elder
- Leader

You have NO EXCUSE for missing this.

The Word is clear. The command is explicit. The warning is severe.

Matthew 24:42 - ”Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”

Matthew 24:44 - ”For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.”

Matthew 25:13 - ”Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”

Mark 13:33 - ”Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.”

Mark 13:35-37 - ”Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep. What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’”

Luke 12:37 - ”Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will gird himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and will come up and wait on them.”

Luke 21:36 - ”But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The Final Word

“But be sure of this…”

BE SURE.

Not uncertain. Not confused. Not dismissive.

BE SURE—that if you, as head of the household, HAD KNOWN when the thief was coming, you would have been alert.

Therefore: KNOW. WATCH. BE ALERT. BE READY.

Because Jesus is coming.

And He is coming for His Bride.

And He is coming to judge the world.

And He is coming to establish His Kingdom.

And on that day, every head of household will give an account:

Were you faithful? Were you watching? Were you ready?

Or were you sleeping, mocking, and unprepared?

The choice is yours.

But the command is clear.

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“Therefore, be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42)

“For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will.” (Matthew 24:44)

THE TIME IS NOW. NOW IS THE TIME.

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

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To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

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