The call today is to live with a deep awareness that Jesus is coming again. This is not a distant theological idea, but a present reality that should shape every aspect of our lives. Throughout history, God’s people have been urged to be transformed, steadfast, and holy—not simply for their own sake, but because the return of Christ is certain and imminent. Jesus is coming back for a church that is pure, alert, and ready, and his return will be sudden and unmistakable. No one will miss the event itself, but many risk missing out on what it means to be found ready and faithful when he comes.
To be watchful, as Scripture commands, is to live with the vigilance of a night guard—alert, undistracted, and prepared, even when the world tempts us to spiritual drowsiness. Jesus doesn’t just tell us to watch, but to watch and pray. Prayer is the means by which we stay connected to God’s heart, keeping our focus on him rather than on ourselves or the distractions of the world. It is in prayerful communion that we are reminded of what truly matters and are empowered to live in readiness.
The timing of Christ’s return is unknown—he will come like a thief in the night, suddenly and without warning. Yet, for those who are awake and prepared, his coming will not be a surprise. The call is not just to be saved, but to live as those who are saved: with urgency, purpose, and a focus on spiritual growth. This means sharing the gospel, living out Jesus’ teachings, remaining spiritually alert, and distinguishing between what is temporary and what is eternal.
The parables of the wise and foolish virgins and the diligent servants remind us that preparation cannot be borrowed or delegated. Each person must cultivate their own relationship with Christ, keeping their spiritual “lamps” filled and their lives aligned with his purposes. God’s patience in delaying his return is an act of mercy, giving more time for repentance and for the gospel to reach every nation. But this window will not remain open forever. The day of the Lord will be dreadful for those who reject him, but for those who revere his name, it will be a day of joy and fulfillment.
Let us not be cloud-watchers, passively waiting, nor have our heads in the sand, living as if his return is irrelevant. Instead, let us live every day with the expectation that Jesus could return at any moment, ordering our lives in such a way that we are found faithful, holy, and ready to meet him.
Matthew 24:36-44 (ESV) — > “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Matthew 25:1-13 (ESV) – Parable of the Ten Virgins — > “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
2 Peter 3:8-13 (ESV) — > “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
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