- Be alert 要警醒 (24:36-43)
Although there will be observable indications of His coming, the exact time will not be known by any human or angelic beings in advance, nor the Son of Man Himself when He spoke these words. Even so, hardened souls will be unconcerned despite the signs, going about in their daily routine till judgment hits. When the saints are finally separated from unbelievers (cf. 25:32-46), no grace will be given for repentance. Hence, all of us need to be alert.
虽然主再来时会有迹象，但不论是人或天使，或甚至人子在说这句话时，都不晓得那确切的时间。即便如此，刚硬之心会对这些迹象毫不在乎，各忙自己的事，直到审判降临。当使徒最后从非信徒中分别出来时（参：25:32-46），就无救恩可论了。因此，我们都需要保持警醒。
- Be ready 要预备 (24:43-44)
Jesus will come again in total unexpectedness of a thief, taking away all things that the ungodly have cherished and trusted in instead of Him. Hence, He warns us to be ready, i.e. to be spiritually prepared to meet Him as Lord and King rather than as Judge.
耶稣会像贼一样毫无预料地来到，夺走所有不敬虔之人所珍藏、信靠的一切。因此，祂警告我们要做好预备，即以祂为王、为主迎接祂，而不是以祂为审判官的身份与他见面。
- Be faithful 要忠心 (24:45-51)
Every being alive holds his life, possessions and abilities in trust from God, whether or not he acknowledges it. As such, he will be held accountable by his Creator for how he uses that what he has been given. The faithful and wise servant, aka believer, uses his life and gifts in His service and to His glory. In contrast, the wicked servant took his freedom to indulge themselves in sins and pleasures they desire. Consequentially, at the Master’s unexpected return, the unbeliever is condemned and destroyed, while the believer is blessed and rewarded.
不论人承认与否，每一个活物的生命、能力及所拥有的一切都是从神而来的。因此，他必须向他的造物主为自己如何使用所蒙受的一切交账。那位忠心有见识的仆人，即信徒，会用自己的生命与恩赐服侍主、荣耀祂。相反的，那恶仆使用他的自由放纵于自己所渴望的罪与享乐中。所以，当主人出乎意料地归回时，不信者将受咒诅、沦丧，而信徒则将蒙祝福、得赏赐。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). Have we taken for granted the grace of God? Do we take Jesus’ warnings to heart? Let’s pray that we be alert, be ready and be faithful.
“主所应许的尚未成就，有人以为他是耽延，其实不是耽延，乃是宽容你们，不愿有一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改”（彼后3:9）。我们是否将神的恩典视为理所当然的呢？我们是否将耶稣的警戒铭记于心？让我们祷告我们能警醒，要做好预备，忠心到底。
- Since the Lord is definitely coming quickly what are you doing now to prepare for his arrival? Let’s pray that we’d be awaken from our sleep and urgently prepare for his coming.
既然主必速速再来，你此刻是如何预备祂的来临呢？祈求我们会从梦中觉醒，急切预备主的再来。
- Is your lack of preparation a sign of your disbelief? Let’s pray that the Lord open our eyes to see our true spiritual conditions.
你对主再来一事毫不预备的态度是否就是一种不信之象呢？祈求主开启我们的眼，让我们看到自己真实的属灵状况。
