Do Not Be Found Spiritually Sleeping!!!

“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming..” -Matt 24:42 (ESV)

Too many professing Christians are asleep at the spiritual wheel these days and their number is increasing. They’re asleep in their faith that Jesus is returning soon and therefore pay little attention of the signs of the times. Many are not like the Sons of Issachar.

“Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.” -1 Chron 12:32 (NASB)

The hour is late as it was when Jesus went to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. He took Peter and the two Sons of Zebedee with him and as He went farther on to pray as He was very sorrowful for what lay ahead, He asked His disciples to stay back but “watch” with Him (Matt 26:36-46). They were to watch and pray as we are asked to do today. So what are we to pray for now, you may ask? What are we to watch for now?

Jesus told His disciples to keep a constant watch for His return then and as we are supposed to do now. He spoke these alarming words, 2000 years have lapsed but the sincere truth of His warnings are to be realized in His coming again. We are therefore commanded to watch and pray to be ready with our lamps lit. We are not to be dragged down by careless living, worries and doubts. Consider the commands the Lord gave us in Luke 21:34-36…

“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 35- For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36- But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” -Luke 21:34-36 (ESV)

When Jesus returned from praying the first time, He found His disciples asleep and then again the second and third time. They couldn’t even watch with Him for an hour! What about us, what would we have done… what are we doing now? He chastised His disciples (our chastisement too) – “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41- Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” -Matt 26:40-41 (ESV). Don’t be weighed down with the cares of this world. Don’t be focused more on worldly things than heavenly things. Don’t be wrapped up in your work that you push prayer and watchfulness out of your life. Be advised as Heb 9:28 says … He is coming again a second time for those that are watching for Him, those eagerly waiting for him.

A most startling warning can be found in the following verses concerning our spiritual sleep and watchfulness…

“You, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know when the master of the household will return—in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. 36- Don’t let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning. 37- I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!” -Mark 13:35-37 (NLT)

Friends, the time is short and the signs are increasing all around us that His return is near. We should be reading our Bibles, developing a daily personal relationship with the Lord. We should do everything we can to know Him more. Remember, just because you attend church regularly and do good things, your entry into His rest, His home in heaven is not guaranteed. We MUST do His will, confess our sins and repent as often as daily. And these NOT to a mere man but to Almighty God. We must read His word and follow what it says. Our source for Biblical understanding must not lie solely in a priest, Pope, Bishop, pastor or anyone else. Instead, we MUST rely on the truth confirmed through His word through our relationship with the Holy Spirit. Church leaders can help in understanding but you MUST seek the truth based on your studying of God’s word.

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” -John 8:32 (NKJV)

Please do not be found sleeping as the disciples did in the Garden three times! Let’s all heed this example and learn not to do the same.

“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” -Jer 8:20 (KJV)

BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

GLORY TO GOD!