The closer we draw to the coming of Christ, the…

The closer we draw to the coming of Christ, the more urgent it is that we awake out of spiritual sleep! Indeed, we have entered the fearful end-time years that are the grand climax of human civilization. If ever there was a time to pay attention and get prepared, it is now! God wants us to be well-informed regarding the major geopolitical, cultural and spiritual issues and events of our time. God deplores ignorance, indifference and being “dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:11).Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11

In Mark’s and Luke’s accounts of Jesus Christ’s prophecy, we see that Jesus connected watching with praying. There is much to pray about regarding the present and the future. Watching helps our praying, and praying helps our watching (Mark 13:33-34).
Christ was quite emphatic here in commanding us to do four things:

1. Take heed to what He had just said.

2. Watch for the signs He had outlined.

3. Pray regularly and earnestly so that we stay close to God.

4. Keep doing God’s work!

Jesus concludes by saying, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). “All these things” refers to all that is recorded in this chapter, including the “great distress in the land and wrath upon this people” (Luke 21:23). Mark uses the term “tribulation” and Matthew says “great tribulation” (Matthew 24:21). Watching is sometimes connected with staying spiritually sober, meaning sober-minded (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8; 2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8). This includes staying alert to our own spiritual condition.

Some scriptures about watching emphasize watching out for spiritual dangers and enemies such as “savage wolves,” deceivers who want to take advantage of God’s “flock” of followers (Acts 20:29-31).Staying aware of the powerful behind-the-scenes role of Satan and his demons enables us to understand the atrocious evil and madness of this world. It also enables us to “resist” them (James 4:7).