Watch!
According to the Thayer's Greek Lexicon, the word 'watch' or gregoreuo, in the Greek, literally means: to stay awake. Figuratively it means: to be vigilant, responsible, watchful, and on the alert. Metaphorically, gergoreuo takes on these added meanings: to give strict attention to, be cautious as in to take heed lest through remissness and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one.
The word 'watch' is an imperative, which means it is a command or something that demands attention or action. In other words, it is a necessity! Jesus emphatically used the word 'watch' when talking with His disciples concerning His second coming.
Let's look at Matthew 24:33 and 36-44 (NLT), "In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. ... 36 "However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 37 "When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah's day. 38 In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. 39 People didn't realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes. 40 "Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. 42 "So you, too, must keep watch! For you don't know what day your Lord is coming. 43 Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. 44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected." In verse 42, Jesus very strongly and distinctly exhorts us to watch for His coming. We also see this fact recorded in the Gospel of Mark and Luke. Take special notice also that Jesus very plainly stated in verse 36 that no one knows the day or hour of His return except the Father. Then, we read in verse 44 that Jesus tells us to be ready (hetoimos: ready or prepared) for His coming.
I mentioned in my 4-14-2022 blog post, "Be Ready, Jesus is Coming!" that Jesus is coming for a mature church, without spot or wrinkle, holy, and without blemish. I also shared the signs we will see before He comes. (If you have not had the chance to read that post yet, I recommend that you take a few minutes to read it now, since this post is a follow-up.)
We will see in our next scripture that just as Jesus exhorted us to watch for His return, Paul also encouraged the Thessalonians to be alert for it. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (NLT), "Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don't really need to write you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, "Everything is peaceful and secure," then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren't in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don't belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. 7 Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. 8 But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever. 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing." In verse 2, Paul confirms Matthew 24:43 by telling us that the day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, as a thief in the night.
However, there is good news! I will reiterate that in verse 4, Paul states that believers (dear brothers and sisters) are not in the dark and won't be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. We will not know the day nor the hour, however, as we stay alert, on our guard, and not be asleep like the others as stated in verse 6, we will be aware that His coming will be soon! Being aware that His return is imminent will help us to stay focused on working for the Kingdom while it is still day.
John 16:13 reveals that the Spirit of truth will guide us in all truth and will tell us about the future.
Let's reread 1 Thessalonians 5:6 from the Amplified Bible. "So then let us not sleep (in spiritual indifference) as the rest (of the world does), but let us keep wide awake (alert and cautious) and let us be sober (self-controlled, calm, and wise).
The New Spirit Filled Life Bible commentary, Truth in Action, expounds on verse 6 in this way, "Watch, be alert and awake. Commit yourself to grow in your relationship with the Lord, which includes prayer, worship, and studying to understand the Bible. This is the lifestyle of the children of light, who have salvation in Jesus."
We find in scripture, numerous issued exhortations or commands to "watch" for things that demand attention or action from us as followers of Christ. All of these imperatives are important and necessary for us to heed, in order for us to become the "mature, glorious, without spot or wrinkle, holy, and without blemish" church that Christ is coming back for.
1 Corinthians 16:13 and 14 (NKJV), "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love." We are exhorted to watch, and to 'stand fast' (steko - meaning to persist, persevere, stand firm). The word 'love' used here is agape or the unconditional love of God.
As we stand fast in the faith, there are many things that we are to 'watch' for:
Proverbs 4:23 (NASB20), "Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life." We watch over our heart by renewing our mind through ingesting the Word of God, so we know His good, acceptable, and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
Matthew 7:15 (NLT), "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves." 1 John 4:1 (NLT), "Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God."
Psalm 141:3 (NASB20), "Set a guard, LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." Proverbs 18:21 (NASB20), "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit."
Luke 12:15 (CSB), "And He said to them, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
1 Corinthians 10:12 (NASB20), "Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall." (pride).
Micah 7:7 (NASB20), "But as for me, I will be on the watch for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me." Do not get impatient, but trust and wait on Him.
Acts 20:27-31 (NET), "For I did not hold back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God. 28 Watch out for yourselves and for all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the blood of his own Son. 29 I know that after I am gone fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Even from among your own group men will arise, teaching perversions of the truth to draw the disciples away after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that night and day for three years I did not stop warning each one of you with tears." This is a very strong admonition to the leaders of the churches. As the day of Jesus' coming approaches, this is vital for the church today. The enemy, of God and His children, is doing his best to deceive, if possible, even the very elect.
2 Peter 3:10-14 (NET), "But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; when it comes, the heavens will disappear with a horrific noise, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze, and the earth and every deed done on it will be laid bare. 11 Since all these things are to melt away in this manner, what sort of people must we be, conducting our lives in holiness and godliness, 12 while waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God? Because of this day, the heavens will be burned up and dissolve, and the celestial bodies will melt away in a blaze! 13 But, according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness truly resides. 14 Therefore, dear friends, since you are waiting for these things, strive to be found at peace, without spot or blemish, when you come into his presence." Matthew 25:13 (NLT), "So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return."
The Lord is admonishing us to be aware of what is happening in the world. He wants us to be aware of those things that are taking place, which according to His Word, are signs of His soon return. God's hand is upon the world events that are taking place. God is never out of control and we have to know that He has a grand plan!
Are you watching?
Are you being attentive to the signs?
Are you prepared?
Or, will you be caught unaware?
Be knowledgeable of His Word.
Depend on His Spirit to reveal what He wants us to be aware of, or know.
Tune in, or be sensitive to the still small voice of the Lord when He comes to speak His revelation to you.
Watch for His coming!
NLT - New Living Translation
NKJV - New King James Version
NASB20 - New American Standard Bible 2020
CSB - Christian Standard Bible
NET - New English Translation