Not neglecting to be watch
The signs of the end times are here. We are all witnesses of the things that are transpiring around the world and in our own back yard. A list of eye opening events have transpired in just the last couple of years that really should open all of our eyes that something bigger is coming. We see bible prophecy unravel like ever before; earthquakes, Haiti, rumors of war, Afghanistan, social unrest, signs in the sky, false prophets like no other times, and the earth’s physical disturbance, Kenya in Africa is breaking apart physically. And, all pointing to the second coming of Christ of which he said that it would happen (Rev22:12-13). As we monitor our homes with security cameras and other gadgets, we must continue to keep our eyes for the signs of his coming. Actively monitoring something means being watchful. The bible teaches us that we cannot do one and not the other and become neglectful. That faith without works is dead (Ja2:20), and so, we must watch and work at the same time.
Mark 13:33-37
Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Now, we must become active in the ministry or work that we have been called to do, because it is a sign that we are being watchful. So, we have to be engaged in our task, but at the same time we have to be porters or watchmen. Paul tells us that we need to abound in the work of the Lord (1Cor15:58). Our call to be watchmen becomes active when we first come to the Lord (Ez33:7:8). The watchmen’s job is to first warn the unbeliever and believer of the wrath to come, but he/she has to also become engage in prayer as an act of watching. There are four watches of which we need to choose to become engaged in and these are reflected in time. One of the times that biblical times reflect the most powerful events is the morning from 3-6 a.m. Jacob wrestled with the angel, Peter walked on water, and Gideon defeated the Syrian army.
A state of which is not considered as not being watchful is sleeping. And, the sleeping is a state of idleness, of which it is disruptive (2thes3:11). Inactivity of ministry and prayer is considered the sleepy stage in the believer. And, just like in the ten virgins who were waiting for the bridegroom to come and fell asleep, so is the church. Few are actively watching, but many in the church are sleeping. The call to awake is ongoing (Eph5:14).
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.8 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.
For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.