Here He Comes, Ready or Not

In this message centering on the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 and 25, Chuck Swindoll addresses the certainty of Christ’s return and the necessity of personal readiness. Setting the scene on the Mount of Olives, Swindoll notes that Jesus takes a moment of quietness to teach His disciples about the future, knowing that His arrest and death are imminent. Swindoll acknowledges that the return of Christ provokes a spectrum of reactions—from the comfort felt by believers to the skepticism or “passive indifference” of the world.

Swindoll warns strongly against the foolishness of “date-setting.” After listing a history of failed predictions—from Pope Innocent III to modern doomsday prophets—he points to Matthew 24:36 to reaffirm that “no one knows the day or hour” [23–26]. Rather than engaging in speculation, Swindoll organizes the text into seven indisputable facts: His delay will be lengthy; His return will be unexpected; God’s judgment will be irreversible; the truth will be revealed; each life will stand alone; the future of the faithful will be joyful; and the destiny of the lost will be dreadful [32–45, 51].

The sermon concludes with a solemn reminder that there are no second chances after death. Swindoll asserts that God does not “grade on the curve” and that judgment is final, rejecting concepts like purgatory. He leaves the listener with three pressing questions: Will I respond to the truth? Do I know for sure that I am ready? And am I living my life faithfully as if He were to call me home today? [53–56].

Message Key Facts:

• The Weight of Glory: Swindoll introduces the Hebrew word for “glory,” kavod, which literally means “heavy.” He explains that giving God glory involves assigning Him “heavy weight” or significance in our lives, recognizing His holiness and purity [1–2].
• The Hitchhiker Illustration: Swindoll tells a humorous story of a skeptic hitchhiking who gets picked up by a driver with a warning taped to the dashboard: “In the event of Christ’s return, this driver will suddenly disappear and this car will self-destruct.” The skeptic was so terrified he engaged the driver in constant conversation to prevent him from leaving [15–17].
• History of Failed Predictions: To debunk date-setting, Swindoll lists historical errors:
  • Pope Innocent III: Added 618 (founding of Islam) to 666 to predict 1284.
  • Edgar Cayce: Predicted a secret chamber in the Sphinx would trigger the Second Coming in 1998 (666 x 3).
  • Harold Camping: Made failed predictions starting in 1994 [23–25].
• The “One Taken, One Left” Context: Swindoll clarifies that Matthew 24:40–41 (two men in a field, one taken and one left) refers to the Second Advent judgment, distinct from the Rapture. The one “taken” is taken to judgment, while the one “left” enters the Kingdom [43–44].
• Crowns vs. Stars: Addressing the old hymn “Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown,” Swindoll notes that Scripture does not promise stars, but crowns. He lists five separate crowns mentioned in the New Testament given for specific acts of faithfulness, which believers will cast at Jesus’ feet [48–49].
• No Second Chances: Swindoll emphasizes that judgment is irreversible. Once a person breathes their last, their opportunity to believe ends. He explicitly states there is no biblical support for purgatory or lightening punishment after death.
• The Days of Noah: Just as people in Noah’s day were enjoying parties and weddings right up until the flood swept them away, the world will be oblivious to the coming judgment until it is too late [36–37].

Message References:

• Matthew 24:29–31: The description of the sun darkening, the sign of the Son of Man appearing, and the gathering of the chosen ones [7–8].
• Matthew 24:36: The definitive statement on timing: “No one knows the day or hour… not even the angels”.
• Matthew 24:37–39: The comparison to the days of Noah, illustrating how life will continue as normal until the sudden end [8–9, 35].
• Matthew 24:40–41: The separation of individuals: “Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left”.
• Matthew 25:1–13: Referenced regarding the ten bridesmaids; the five foolish ones are shut out, illustrating that the truth will be revealed and “I don’t know you” will be the verdict for the unprepared.
• Matthew 25:46: The finality of the verdict: “They will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life”.
• 2 Peter 3:8: “One day is as a thousand years with the Lord,” referenced to explain the lengthy delay of Christ’s return.
• Hebrews 6:10: “God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love,” cited regarding the certainty of rewards for the faithful.

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll