Articles
Are You Awake?
“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 24:43-44) Jesus gave this warning to his apostles and not to the crowd. If this warning is appropriate to those closest to Jesus, should we not take it seriously?
Jesus told the apostles the temple would be destroyed in Matthew 24. The temple and the temple mount were imposing works. The entire complex was the largest edifice in Jerusalem. The apostles ask, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” The apostles wanted to know the future. The Apostles’ question indicates a belief that such destruction could come only at the end. Jesus' response is documented in the rest of the chapter. Jesus does not specify a time for the events. Speaking to his coming, he said, “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36).
During the Babylonian captivity, the Jews said, "The days grow long, and every vision comes to nothing" (Ezek. 12:22). When the fulfillment of prophecy is delayed, people become complacent. Peter warned Christians against falling into carelessness and neglect because it leads to scoffing. Scoffers say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation" (2 Pet. 3:4). We must guard against thinking Christ's coming will not occur in our lifetime. Why must we guard against this presumption?
Paul warned against surmising Jesus' return is not imminent saying, “But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober” (1 Thess. 5:4-6). Did you notice that inattentiveness to the Lord's return leads to living like children of darkness? Do you live as though the Lord's return is far off in the future? Have you become indifferent to your personal behavior and disinterested in the Lord's work? Jesus warned us he would come when we did not expect him! To avoid being with the hypocrites in eternity, the apostles were warned to be attentive and not abuse their position. If the apostles were so warned, should we not also take it to heart? Jesus warned those sinning and caught unaware will be placed "where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 24:45-51). Stay awake, brothers and sisters!
