Be Ready, Alert and Watchful!

Thank you for joining us today for our vital study of God's Word. One beautiful thing about God and His love for us is that He holds nothing back from us. He gives us the truth and if we study and know His Word, we will not be in the dark about the things which are coming upon the earth. Read with an open heart and receive the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Eric

It is important for us to look at who Jesus is and what His role will be in the future of the world as we know it.

Approximately 2,600 years ago, when Israel was held in Babylonian captivity, the Lord gave a prophetic dream to King Nebuchadnezzar, revealing what would take place in the latter days. The wise men in Babylon were not able to know or interpret the dream. However, the LORD revealed the dream and the interpretation to Daniel. In Daniel 2:34 and 35, Daniel proclaimed to King Nebuchadnezzar, "You watched while a stone was cut without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold (all representing future kingdoms) were crushed together and became a great mountain and filled the whole earth." "Jesus Christ is God's consummate Ruler of all governments and all history." (NSFLB textual notes). Upon Jesus' return, He shall "set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed...and it shall stand forever." (Daniel 2:44).

As we believers study and search the Scriptures and are aware of the events consuming the world today, we believe we are living in the end-times or the days before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. No one can put a date on when His return will take place.

Concerning when Christ will return and set up His eternal reign - Mark 13:33 (BSB) reveals, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

However, as we read 1 Thessalonians 5:1,4-6 and 8 (CSB), "About the times and the seasons: Brothers and sisters, you do not need anything to be written to you. ... 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the dark, for this day to surprise you like a thief. 5 For you are all children of light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness. 6 So then, let us not sleep, like the rest, but let us stay awake and be self-controlled. ... 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled and put on the armor of faith and love, and a helmet of the hope of salvation." We believers, as we stay awake and self-controlled will not be in the dark and be totally surprised. We will be aware of the 'season.'

I believe the church has, over time, become very lackadaisical over the issue of the return of the Lord Jesus. Think about it for a minute, the prophesy was given over 2,600 years ago. I recall hearing, "Well, He hasn't come back yet and people have been talking about it for years..." We have to remember, for the Lord, "a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8).

However, as students of the Word of God and as those who are children of light, we are given repeated warnings to NOT become lackadaisical, lethargic or languid about His return!

Today, we are going to look at some of the warnings and directives the Spirit of God has spoken to us through His Word.

Mark 13:33 (BSB) instructs us, "Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come." To 'be on your guard' indicated "to see something physical with spiritual results. It means we have the right perception so that we can respond, take heed or live in readiness." (HELPS Word-studies). If we 'stay alert' we are being vigilant, watchful, staying awake, being attentive and ready.

Matthew 24:44 states emphatically, "So you must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

It is absolutely vital that we live in a state of readiness. We cannot be ruled or controlled by speculation, dates or appearances. If we are faithful servants of Christ, we will work and strive everyday to be obedient, and to love and honor Him till He comes.

Sadly, when sharing the gospel with some, their response is, "Not today" or "I'm not ready" or "I'm not interested."

We can gain tremendous understanding or why is so important to be ready and comprehend that, "Today is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2). As we look at the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25, we read in verse 1, "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom." Of the ten virgins who went out to meet the bridegroom, five were wise and five were foolish. The foolish virgins were not prepared and had no additional oil for their lamps. The bridegroom was delayed and all the virgins fell asleep. When he arrived for the wedding feast, the five virgins with no extra oil had to leave to get it. When they returned, the door was shut and they were totally excluded from the wedding feast.

The vital meanings and take aways from this parable are:

The virgins represent those who profess to be followers of Christ. The oil is the symbol of the Holy Spirit Who indwells those who have genuine faith. All the virgins fell asleep, which indicates we humans has a tendency of falling into spiritual complacency.

In order to be a part of the marriage supper of the Lamb:

We must be born again.

The Holy Spirit must indwell us. (When we accept Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit is sent to live in us.).

We must live in a state of readiness.

In verse 12, Jesus spoke these words to those with no oil, "Truly, I tell you I do not know you." The Holy Spirit was not present. Verse 13 exhorts, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." This parable reminds us of the necessity of prioritizing spiritual vigilance and preparedness for His return.

1 Peter 4:7 instructs, "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and sober so you can pray." ‘'‘Is near' conveys extreme closeness. To be 'clear minded' for a believer indicates a God controlled perspective which is able to blend the extremities of truth on both sides of a matter.” (HELPS Word-studies). Remember, Scripture reveals that in the last days, if possible, even the very elect will be deceived. (Matthew 24:24). "The nearness of Christ's return requires disciplined judgment rather than panic, distraction, indulgence or spiritual carelessness." (Bible Hub Study Bible). We must constantly resist the ways and values of the fallen world and remain alert to God's will.

In seasons of pressure, believers are not to be ruled by fear or consumed by worldly concerns. We need to devote ourselves to prayer and seek His wisdom, courage and strength so that we are able to remain faithful. The truth is - we cannot do this without God!

Luke 21:36 (BSB) reads, "So keep watch (vigilant, alert and attentive) at all times and pray (request earnestly, make an urgent appeal) that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen and to stand before the Son of Man." The strength we need to prevail does not come from our human resolve - it is only granted to us through our relationship, communion and fellowship with God.

Many believers as well as non-believers who sense difficult times are coming soon have been preparing for their physical needs. There is nothing wrong with responding to God's directive to do so, however, the greater need we will have is to be ready spiritually for what is to come.

Are you hearing Him and following His leading? Do you know the voice of the Spirit? You see, as difficultly, trouble and tribulation come, the most important thing is our relationship with Him.

We must be proactive. The following Scriptures inform us of those things we can do to be ready.

Devote (persevere, be consistently diligent) to prayer. (Colossians 4:2). "Effective prayer is not sporadic but rhythmic and vigilant." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon).

Know God's will through His Word. (Romans 12:2 and 2 Timothy 3:16,17). "The renewed mind is formed by Scripture, prayer, obedience and the Holy Spirit's work, replacing former patterns of thought with Truth." (Bible Hub Study).

Be aware of the temptations that surround you. (Matthew 26:41).

Encourage and support one another. (Hebrews 10:24,25).

Choose, with the Spirit's help, to walk in the Spirit, not in the flesh. (Romans 8:5). Stop making decisions according to 'self or our own will.'

Be aware of the false and being misled. (Matthew 24:24). Be anchored in the Truth of God's Word.

Be led by the Holy Spirit. (1 John 4:1). God never contradicts His own revelation! The Holy Spirit gives believers discernment. ‘Discernment’ is the ability to perceive and distinguish between truth and error, good and evil. Discernment demonstrates wisdom and insight that go beyond what is seen or heard. The human mind without the Spirit is foolishness. (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Stand by faith against the devil's schemes by putting on the full armor of God. (Ephesians 6:10-12). The armor of God, His given resources are what enable believers to withstand and overcome spiritual opposition.

Guard your heart. (Proverbs 4:23). How? We submit our thoughts and affections to His Word, resist the enemies schemes and seek the peace of God that guards our hearts and minds.

Be Ready, Alert and Watchful!

Seek first the Kingdom of God!

This world is temporary!

What God has prepared for us is eternal!

God has a plan for your future...

Heaven with Him!

Unless indicated otherwise, Scriptures are taken from the New International Version.

NSFLB New Spirit Filled Life Bible

BSB Berean Standard Bible

CSB Christian Standard Bible