Watch!

Mark 13:35-37 (NKJV)

35 Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning

36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.

37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

We often hear people say that the world isn't going to last much longer or it won't be long before the Lord returns. For many years people have tried to predict the return of Christ. One group in particular has unsuccessfully predicted the return of Jesus seven times! We shouldnt be surprised by these failed predictions. Jesus Himself told us that we do not know when the master of the house is coming.

What did Jesus tell us? He told us to watch! What does it mean for Christians to watch? How do we watch? This has nothing to do with spending our time speculating the time of His return, nor does it consist of setting dates that God has never revealed to us.

The watchfulness Jesus is speaking of is our faithfulness in obeying the word we have been given as our guide. Since we do not know the time and there is no way for us to find out, we must spend our time in diligent labor and service to God. All that is going to matter when that day comes is that we have been a faithful and obedient servant of God, abiding in His word, striving to be like Christ, hungering and thirsting after righteousness.

Don’t let Him find you sleeping at His return. Erdman adds "We are to be like servants, whose Master has gone to another country, but has given to each one his work. We are to be so wakeful, so diligent in our several places, so concerned that the gospel shall be preached unto all nations, that we shall have no ground for fear or for regret when we learn that our returning Lord is near."

- Eric Bullock, Evangelist