This series of blogs has been following through the teachings of Jesus. Having covered the most important command ‘Love the Lord, your God’ and the top ten teachings according to the frequency with which Christ taught (which can be seen on page 133 of the download ‘What on earth have we done with the teachings of Jesus’). We are now continuing with the additional teachings of Jesus of which there are 83 in total. The first of these additional teachings is ‘to Watch!’
We are warned by Jesus to:-
- Watch out for false prophets
- Watch out that no one deceives you
- Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come
- Keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour
- Keep watch with me
- Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation
- Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees
- Watch out for the teachers of the law
Jesus said – What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’, Mark 13:37
Keep Awake
In the Strong’s here the word ‘Watch!’ is γρηγορεῖτε: grēgoreite – Present Imperative Active – watchful, on the alert, vigilant. From egeiro; to keep awake. It speaks on keen attentiveness to what is going on. That we are not found sleeping when the Lord comes, that we are not deceived by false teachings and that we do not fall into any temptations.
By this, we need to know the signs of the times that are going on in the world and we need to know the truth that is in the Word of God, in particular the Words that Jesus spoke.
We can know the season
Although Jesus said no one can know the day or the hour of His return. He told us we will be able to identify the season. I believe we are very much in that final season.
Jesus mentions two things people were doing before the flood came and took them all away. He says they were eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage. It compares that time with the one to come. Life will be carrying on as normal, but it also speaks of a people that are distracted. So also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming, Mt 24:39.
Earthquakes, famines, pandemics
Jesus says that in the latter days there would be a time of great tribulation: signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars. On the earth nations would be in distress. People would be perplexed. The sea and the waves will roar. He said there will be wars and an increase in earthquakes. Nation will cause war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences (pandemics!). There will also be fearful sights and great signs from heaven. He said it would be a time of great distress. That men’s hearts would fail them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
After the tribulation of this time the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light. But He will come like lightening. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn (those that had not kept watch and prepared), and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
He will judge
And what is He coming to do? He will come to judge. He will come with all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him. He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. The sheep will enter into eternal rest and the goats to eternal hell.
But just as there is a Day of the Lord is coming, we also do not know when we shall breathe our last breath on this earth.
Our present life, a dark night
Henry says – We ought to be always upon our watch, in expectation of His return. Our Lord will come, and will come as the Master of the house, to take account of his servants, of their work, and of the improvement they have made. We know not when he will come. He has very wisely kept us at uncertainty, that we might all be always ready. Our present life is a night, a dark night, compared with the other life. We know not in which watch of the night our Master will come, whether in the days of youth, or middle age, or old age. But, as soon as we are born, we begin to die, and therefore, as soon as we are capable of expecting anything, we must expect death.
Watch, watch!
Our great care must be, that, whenever our Lord comes, he does not find us secure in ourselves, off our guard, indulging ourselves in ease and sloth, mindless of our work and duty, and thoughtless of our Lord’s coming. His coming will indeed be coming suddenly. It will be a great surprise and terror to those that are careless, and asleep, it will come upon them as a thief in the night. It is therefore the indispensable duty of all Christ’s disciples, to watch, to be awake, and keep awake; “What I say unto you.. I say unto all my followers. What I say to you of this generation, I say to all that shall believe, through your word, in every age. Watch, watch, expect my second coming, prepare for it, that you may be found in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
Adapted from the Matthew Henry Commentary
Surely we all feel that day is nearer now than it’s ever been. It is time to be prepared. To be watchful. To understand the times we are living in and not be found sleeping.
Watch and Pray
Matthew 26 verse 41
Watch and pray, watch and pray;
So you will not fall into
temptation today
Watch and pray, watch and pray;
How can you watch when
your heart is miles away?
Watch and pray, watch and pray;
Can you see; can you
hear the words I say?
Watch and pray, watch and pray;
Do not allow your own thoughts
to steal you away.
Watch and pray, watch and pray;
The hour has come do not delay.
Watch and pray, watch and pray;
Look here is the man
who comes to betray.
Watch and pray, watch and pray;
Now they have taken my Saviour away.
Watch and pray, watch and pray;
Were you not in the Temple
with Me every day?
Watch and pray, watch and pray;
Would you leave Him and run away?
Watch and pray……..
By the late Andrew Feakin
(passed away 16th March 2019)
Prayer: Father, forgive my un-watchfulness. Forgive me for the slumber in my heart and mind. Sharpen me Lord that I may keep watch. That I be a watchman on the walls to warn of the dangers ahead. Help us be ever looking for your signs and so be ever more fervent in warning others that Your Day is fast approaching. May we be ready. In the name of Christ I pray. Amen.
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