As it was . . . so shall it be

The Lord addresses the Pharisees, vv. 20, 21, and the disciples, vv. 22-37, on the subject of the coming kingdom of God.

In response to the Pharisees’ demands concerning timing, the Lord directs them to the kingdom’s present moral dimension. They were interested in the externalities of the kingdom. The Lord reminds them that the kingdom must first be internal and moral, before it can be external and visible, and it must begin by them recognizing and accepting the King Himself.

The Lord then turns to His disciples with further detail about the approach of the visible kingdom.

Firstly, the arrival of the King will be unmistakable: as spectacular as lightning flashing across the sky, v. 24. This is His manifestation in glory at the end of the tribulation period. His rejection will precede, but not preclude, His coming in glory, v. 25.

Secondly, the coming of the kingdom will be unexpected. Conditions on earth at that time are described, vv. 26-30, and parallels are drawn with conditions prior to two great displays of judgement in the past: the flood, v. 26, and the overthrow of Sodom, v. 28. The predominant feature of both periods was the continuance of normal living and the total surprise when judgement fell.

The next section, vv. 31-37, emphasizes the immediacy of the coming of the kingdom, underlined by the expressions ‘in that day’, v. 31, and ‘in that night’, v. 34. The Lord warns of delay, vv. 31-33, and division, vv. 34-36. The ‘one taken’ refers not to the rapture, but to summary removal in the judgements associated with the Second Advent.

The Lord then turns, in chapter 18, to the subject of prayer. However, this is directly linked with the subject of His return, see verses 6 to 8.

The two prayer parables teach us the need for continuance in prayer, vv. 1-8, and humility in prayer, vv. 9-14. The first parable assures us that God will avenge His own elect at the coming of the King; the second assures us that repentant sinners will comprise the subjects of the kingdom.