32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 34 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. 37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. 42 Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24)
As with many prophecies, there were elements of Jesus' words which would be short-term, and others long-term. Some were "at the gates", especially as it had to do with the gates of Jerusalem. It would be leveled within that generation. But other things, like the day of the return of the Son of Man would be far in the future. Noah was building the ark for decades, while people all around went on with life as usual. Years passed, but then suddenly judgment came. The moral of the story? Don't let the passing of long periods of time lull you into a state of unpreparedness. Always be a lert. Because just when you don't expect His return...
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