man , no not the angels of heaven , but My Father only .” Matthew 24:36 . A clear and harmonious explanation of this text was given by those who were looking for the Lord , and the wrong use made of it by their opponents was clearly shown . The words were spoken by Christ in that memorable conversation with His disciples upon Olivet after He had for the last time departed from the temple . The disciples had asked the question : “ What shall be the sign of Thy coming , and of the end of the world ?” Jesus gave them signs , and said : “ When ye shall see all these things , know that it is near , even at the doors .” Verses 3 , 33 . One saying of the Saviour must not be made to destroy another . Though no man knoweth the day nor the hour of His coming , we are instructed and required to know when it is near . We are further taught that to disregard His warning , and refuse or neglect to know when His advent is near , will be as fatal for us as it was for those who lived in the days of Noah not to know when the flood was coming . And the parable in the same chapter , contrasting the faithful and the unfaithful servant , and giving the doom of him who said in his heart , “ My Lord delayeth His coming ,” shows in what light Christ will regard and reward those whom He finds watching , and teaching His coming , and those denying it . “ Watch therefore ,” He says . “ Blessed is that servant , whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing .” Verses 42 , 46 . “ If therefore thou shalt not watch , I will come on thee as a thief , and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee .” Revelation 3:3 .
Paul speaks of a class to whom the Lord ’ s appearing will come unawares . “ The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night . For when they shall say , Peace and safety ; then sudden destruction cometh upon them , ... and they shall not escape .” But he adds , to those who have given heed to the Saviour ’ s warning : “ Ye , brethren , are not in darkness , that that day should overtake you as a thief . Ye are all the children of light , and the children of the day : we are not of the night , nor of darkness .” 1 Thessalonians 5:2-5 .
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