In the middle of the Mount Olivet Discourse, Jesus made this astonishing statement: ““But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36). Jesus had clearly been speaking about prophetic events when He unexpectedly used the phrase “But of that day and hour,” which up to that time had never been used in Scripture.

The Phrase “that day” was very familiar in the Old Testament having been used numerous times in the Major and Minor Prophets. But the full expression was not used in the Prophets. “That day” is an abbreviation for the fuller expression “the day of the Lord,” which occurs 21 times in the prophets.

But “that day and hour” is never found in the Old Testament. In fact, it is only found in two places in the New Testament; here and in the parallel passage, Mark 13:32.

Jesus used the word “hour” (Greek hora) four more times in this context. (Matthew 24:42, 24:44, 24:50 and 25:13)

There are several things that appear apparent from the context: Jesus was speaking of the beginning of the Day of the Lord – a subject that had never been spoken of before in the Prophets, and He is very concerned that believers remain watchful for His coming.

Rewards

Additionally, the context shows that believers who are not watching for His return will not be rewarded at that time. For example Matthew 24:45-51 which states: 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him in two and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Matthew 25:19-21 also concerns the Judgment Seat of Christ and rewards (or lack of rewards) for the believer. Those passages state: 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five talents brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ 21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.”

Obviously God is not going to reveal to mankind (or to Satan) the hour of Jesus’ return, which is commonly referred to as the “Rapture” based on 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18. The beginning (i.e. hour) of Jesus Second Return is imminent, and therefore we are commanded to watch. Not to watch is to be disobedient to our Lord’s command and also to not be rewarded at His coming.

It is important to note that twice in this context Jesus spoke of the possibility of not reigning with Him as a consequence of not being prepared for His Second Coming (Matthew 24:48-51 and 25:26-30). This does not mean that the unprepared believer will not be raptured (cf 1 Thessalonians 5:10, even believers who are not watchful will be with the Lord forever, but rather it means that he or she will not rule with the Lord during the Kingdom Reign of Jesus Christ on this earth.

It can become easy for us in 2019, close to 2000 years after Jesus’ statements during the Olivet Discourse to get complacent about His command because we thing that His coming is not really imminent. It is very easy to put other things of life above the priority He gives us of looking for His return. But to do that is to produce a slackening in holiness as was the case of the unfaithful servant, and loss of rewards at the return of Jesus.

I have said for years that I may not actually taste death because I truly believe the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is at the door. As for me, I want to reign with Jesus in His kingdom and I don’t want to lose reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ. What about you? Are you watching?

See also my blog: “Rule & Reign or Loss – It’s Our Choice”