Matthew 24

v1-3: Though the temple in Jerusalem was truly glorious it was stained with the sin of the priests and the people, and was infected with the evil teaching of the Pharisees. Now with Christ’s coming it’s glory was eclipsed, and it was time to bring an end to the priesthood and sacrifices and the rest of the ceremonial law, as Jesus spoke of its certain and total destruction.

v4-35: In these last days when people will shrink back and give up following Christ, it is encouraging to know that there will be some who will endure to end.  They will endure “to the end of their lives, to the end of their present state of testing, or to the end of these times of suffering,” and those who endure to the end in this way, who suffer for their faithfulness, will be eternally saved.

v36-51: There is a day and an hour coming which has been fixed for God’s judgment called the day of the Lord.  But when that day and hour is, is one of those secret things which belong to the Lord our God.  Because we do not know when this day and hour is, we should be watchful, showing that we are ready for its arrival, by waiting for and serving the Lord.  However, if we are carelessly waiting, it will be a truly sad day and hour for us when it comes.

Matthew 25

v1-13: We are to look for and love and long for the appearing of Christ and show this by our conduct.  In addition to revealing God’s patience and giving time for people to repent, Jesus’ apparent delay in returning, tests the profession of His people, giving them opportunity to show that their faith is genuine.  "An external profession, performed convincingly... will not take them through to the end.”

v14-30: "Christ’s servants have and receive all they have from him; in themselves they are worth nothing, nor do they have anything they can call their own except their sin.”  What we have received from Christ, and everyone has at least one talent (spiritual gift), we are to use in His service as good and faithful stewards, while we wait for His return.

v31-46: God’s kingdom has been prepared for us.  Reflect on this.  "The Father prepared it for [us] in his thoughts of love, and he provided it for [us] in the greatness of his wisdom and power. The Son bought it for [us], and he has entered the kingdom to go ahead to prepare a place for his people.  The Holy Spirit, in preparing [us] for the kingdom, is, in effect, preparing it for [us].”  God has prepared this kingdom deliberately for you, personally and particularly, because you have been chosen for salvation.