Theme: WATCH AND PRAY
Text: “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” – Matthew 24:42-44.
Comment: The word “watch” as used in Matthew chapter 24 verse 42 and Luke chapter 21 verse 36 means to keep guard upon oneself against sin, and of being on the lookout or being observant as to see what comes or happens. This is spiritual vigilance which requires diligent reading or searching of the Scriptures in order to know and understand the signs of the times that are physically staring people in the face today. St. Paul admonished: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16) To “Redeem the time” means making good use of the time spiritually. And this must be accompanied with prayers to God for His deliverance from the troubles destroy the wicked or ungodly at the appointed time. – Isaiah 26:21; Romans 10:13.
Our Saviour warned that in this age there shall be upon the earth “distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea (the ruled) and the waves (rulers) roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth”. He then admonished: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” – Luke 21: 25, 26, 36.