How does Matthew 24:28 illustrate the certainty of Christ's return? Setting the Scene Matthew 24 records Jesus’ conversation with His disciples on the Mount of Olives about the end of the age. In verse 28 He declares, “Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.” Though seemingly enigmatic, this vivid picture underscores the absolute certainty of His return. The Image Explained • Carcass: a clear, undeniable reality on the ground • Vultures: swift to assemble as soon as the carcass is present • Point: just as scavengers inevitably converge on a corpse, so Christ’s coming will draw unmistakable, immediate attention—nothing can prevent or delay it. Certainty Conveyed • Inevitability – Vultures do not debate whether to gather; they simply appear. – Likewise, Christ’s return is not “if” but “when” (cf. Acts 1:11). • Swiftness – The birds’ arrival feels sudden to observers. – Jesus’ coming will be equally sudden: “For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27) • Visibility – A sky filled with circling vultures is impossible to miss. – “Every eye will see Him.” (Revelation 1:7) Supporting Passages • Acts 1:11 – Promise by angels that Jesus “will come back in the same way.” • Matthew 24:30-31 – The Son of Man appears “with power and great glory,” gathering His elect. • Luke 17:37 – Parallel statement affirming the same illustration. • 2 Peter 3:9-10 – The Lord’s timing may seem delayed, yet “the Day of the Lord will come like a thief.” Encouragement for Today • Rest in God’s unbreakable promise—Christ is coming just as surely as vultures find a carcass. • Live alert and ready, knowing His return could be swift and unmistakable. • Share the hope of this certainty with others, pointing them to the One who keeps every word He speaks. |
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