Timing of the Kingdom
Matthew 24:43-50
But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.
Notice the disciples' external sight and internal lack of vision. The disciples saw what was external and temporal namely how the the temple buildings were put together now in Matthew 24:1. Jesus saw the sin and decay around him and the people's need for a Savior. He saw the future for he possessed Heaven's vision; he was the one who planned for the earthly temple to be torn down so "not one stone would be left upon another" in verse two. In order to describe Heaven's point of view, he gives several examples of what he sees. He sees that a house that is not built upon himself and is rather the work of man will not stand. Jesus's lack of response to the disciples attitude in itself was a response to their question. The one who created all has all in his control. Thus, only he can bring about all that he has planned. Jesus's answer to when he will return is not a time but he rather tells them who he is. Then he tells the disciples what he will do. Oh, to have Heaven's vision.
"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? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 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.
The wicked servant is one who mirrors the abomination that causes desolation referenced elsewhere in the chapter. This is someone proclaiming himself as God which leads to the judgement of the world. The wicked servant also behaves in like fashion: he beats his fellow servants and parties with the drunken. This image brings to mind Isaiah 51:21-23 which speaks of the "afflicted one, made drunk, but not with wine" to whom God promises to return the cup of staggering to the tormentors who have said to your soul bow down and you have laid down your body as the ground and as the street to them that went over. This parable is not about a negligent father and master who took a trip to a far country and left his servants to run the place in his absence. This story mirrors when Christ left the church to go into the far country of Heaven. The location of the Master is what is emphasized rather than his absence. Notice that the church, just like this household, was never neglected. God was never negligent in his duties for he gave of his own his Spirit, himself in John 14:16. Furthermore, the master in this story has tasked certain servants to watch over or keep faithfully the master's house. Those who received Jesus were given "power to become sons of God" according to John 1:12. Sons without a father are orphans and so are servants without a master. God's character will not allow him to do such. Satan also mirrors God in the fatherhood of his children. This is why Satan is so attractive to many people. This parable emphasizes the presence of the spirit of the evil one in this world. However, we know that God is greater and his presence very near in times of trouble according to Psalm 46:1.