在前面两节，两个男人在田里，取去一个，撇下一个；两个女人在磨坊推磨，取去一个，撇下一个。原因是他们在生命的事上有区别。取去的是成熟的，撇下的是不成熟的。生命造成这区别。得胜者，在生命上成熟之人的被提，将是给撇下之人的兆头。假定你同一位弟兄在田里工作，突然他被提到诸天之上，那对你的确是个兆头。假定有两位姊妹在磨坊推磨，一位被提到主那里，这对被撇下的姊妹当然是个兆头！
在四十二节，主告诉我们要儆醒，因为我们不知道主那一天要来。然后四十三节说，“但你们要知道，家主若晓得贼在几更天要来，他就必儆醒，不容他的房屋被人挖透。”家主，指信徒；房屋，指信徒在他基督徒的生活里，所建立的行为和工作。贼是在人不晓得的时候，来偷取贵重的物品。主要像贼一样，隐密的临到那些爱祂的人，把他们当作宝贝取走。
因此，我们应当儆醒。正如主在四十四节所说的，“所以你们也要豫备，因为在你们想不到的时辰，人子就来了。”这是指主隐密的临到儆醒的得胜者。
马太二十四章三十二节至二十五章三十节论到教会。在这段话中，主所说的一切都与两件事有关：儆醒豫备以及忠信精明。在二十四章，三十二至四十四节论到做醒豫备，四十五至五十一节论到忠信精明。在二十五章，童女的比喻说明儆醒，才干的比喻说明忠信。这一切都与我们有关。我们需要为着主的回来儆醒豫备好，使我们能早些被提。我们也需要在服事主上忠信精明，使我们能得着赏赐。因此，儆醒是为着早早被提，忠信是为着赏赐。
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Be Watchful and Get Ready – Matt. 24:42-44
Of the two men in the field, one is taken and the other is left; and of the two women grinding at the mill, one is taken and the other left. The reason for this is that there is a difference between them in the matter of life. I believe that the one taken is mature and that the one left is immature. The life makes the difference. The rapture of the overcomers, those who are mature in life, will be a sign to those who are left. Suppose you are working in the field with a brother and he is suddenly taken away to the heavens. That would certainly be a sign to you. Suppose two sisters are grinding at the mill, and one is taken away to the Lord. Surely that would be a sign to the sister who is left!
In verse 42 the Lord tells us to watch, for we do not know on what day the Lord will come. Then verse 43 says, “But know this, that if the householder knew in what watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.” The householder refers to the believer, and the house, to the believer’s conduct and work which he has built up in his Christian life. A thief comes to steal precious things at an unknown time. The Lord will come secretly as a thief to those who love him and will take them away as his treasures.
Hence, we should watch. “Therefore,” as the Lord says in verse 44, “you also, be ready, for the Son of Man comes in an hour that you think not.” This refers to the Lord’s secret coming to the watchful overcomers.
Matthew 24:32 – 25:30 is concerned with the church. In this portion of the Word, everything spoken by the Lord is related to two matters: watchfulness and readiness, and faithfulness and prudence. In chapter 24 watchfulness and readiness is covered in verses 32 through 44, and faithfulness and prudence in verses 45 through 51. In chapter 25, the parable of the virgins illustrates watchfulness, and the parable of the talents illustrates faithfulness. All this is related to us. We need to watch and be ready for the Lord’s coming back so that we may be raptured earlier. We also need to be faithful and prudent in serving the Lord so that we may receive the reward. Thus, watchfulness is for the early rapture and faithfulness is for reward.