希律時代富麗堂皇的聖殿吸引了所有過往行人的眼光，人人都在談論聖殿的壯麗與華美，這時門徒們為耶穌安排了一次橄欖山的證道，以預言的角度看未來的事件。耶穌敦促門徒對未來務必儆醒，並要忠心服事，因為基督再來時縱有徵兆，卻不會大聲宣佈、召告世人，祂來是要懲治仇敵、審判列國、獎賞儆醒的跟隨者。

        你曾注意過一個小孩在機場或火車站等待爺爺奶奶的到來，或出差爸爸回家的情景嗎？他怎樣表達他急切的期待？也許是踮腳引頸遠眺，也許是穿過等候的人群，擠到最前面去，他每一個細胞都在散發著這樣的訊息：「最重要的人快來了，我要準備好迎接他！」
        基督徒應該踮著腳尖，期盼主的再來(提後4：8)：除了注意將要發生的事，上帝也曾囑咐你要「直等我回來」(路19：13)。期盼祂再來並不是忽略周遭世人的物質或靈性需要的藉口，在這段期間你的任務是做「地上的鹽」和「世上的光」──使人渴慕上帝(如鹽)，然後指引他們歸向祂(如光)。為了上帝榮耀的緣故，想到一個你在今天可以在他生命裡做「調和和照亮」工夫的人嗎？切記，一點點鹽就大有功效，但看你何時遍灑四周而已！

石頭分家！
        基督預言希律那令人嘆為觀止的聖殿說：「將來在這裡，沒有一塊石頭留在石頭上不被拆毀了！」 (太24：2)日後果然應驗了。主後七十年，聖殿被焚，羅馬兵丁急切的在其中尋找鎔合在石頭中的黃金，他們把聖殿的石頭一塊一塊的拆毀，扔進山谷裡，情景正如當初耶穌的預言！

主耶穌即將再來是聖經鼓勵人忠心服事的最大理由。

English

        Herod's magnificent temple captured the attention of all who passed by. Commenting on its beauty and splendor, the disciples set the stage for Jesus' Olivet Discourse, a prophetic look at future events. His followers are urged to watchful expectation coupled with faithful service because, despite the signs of His coming, the return of Christ will be unannounced. His coming will bring vengeance on His enemies, judgment on the nations, and rewards for His watchful followers.

        Have you ever watched a young child at an airport or depot awaiting the arrival of grandparents or the return of his father from a business trip? How did that child express his eager expectation? Perhaps he stood on tiptoes ,., craned his neck for a better look ... jostled for position among the other bystanders. Every fiber of his being shouted the message, "Someone very special is coming, and I want to be ready when he gets here!"
        Christians should be people walking on tiptoes, anticipating the return of the Lord (2 Timothy 4:8). In addition to watchful expectation, you have been commanded to "occupy till I come" (Luke 19:13). Anticipating His coming is no excuse for neglecting the physical or spiritual needs of the world around you. Your task in the meantime is to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world"—making others thirsty- for God (salt) and then guiding them to Him (light). Think of one person in whose life you can "shake and shine" to God's glory today. Remember, a little salt goes a long way, but only when you spread it around!

The Stones That Stood Alone —
        Christ's prediction that "there shall not be left here one stone upon another" of Herod's breathtaking temple (24:2) was fulfilled to the letter. In A.D. 70, Roman soldiers, in their eagerness to recover the gold that had melted between the stones of the temple during its burning, literally tore the temple apart stone by stone and threw them into the valley below ... exactly as Jesus had foretold.

The return of our Lord is the Bible's greatest argument for a devoted life of service.