Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
This passage of scripture cautions us as Christians to be mindful of the developments that are currently taking place in the world, especially as they pertain to the rapid fulfillment of those prophecies pointing forward to the imminent return of Christ in the clouds of heaven. Many, even amongst Christians, are actually hoping that Christ will not come in our lifetime so that we can do and achieve more in this present life, and for this reason there comes to us a very strong temptation to bury our heads in the sand, and to reason away the most positive evidences of His soon return. Hence the reason why Christ cautions us to "Watch", because we know not the day neither the hour.
Whilst we are to avoid the snare of time-setting, yet we are to be aware that the predictions of scripture are being fulfilled before our very eyes, and because of this, the prospect that Christ will return in our generation looms large. However, this possibility is not to send us into a sort of spiritual frenzy, nor is it to cause us to bring all temporal and spiritual pursuits to a grinding halt, because, according to the Bible, those who are truly converted, and who are waiting for Christ to come, will not be caught off guard, for they would have taken very seriously Christ's admonition to "Watch". Let's read:
1st Thessalonians 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
However, there are certain developments which must take place before probation closes and Jesus returns, and these we are admonished to study and observe very carefully as we approach that great day. The institution of a false system of worship by the beast power referred to in the book of Revelation, must occur before Jesus returns, for it is this action by the legislature that will precipitate the final close of probation across the land, and then across the entire globe.
Thus, based on what is written in the scriptures, Christ will not appear until such developments take place, and all the inhabitants of the earth are brought to the valley of decision to make their choice either for the laws of God or the commandments of men. This scriptural sequence of events must be set in stone in our minds, that we may not be tossed about by the erroneous doomsday theories and activities that abound, by which many unstable minds are disturbed or agitated in the wrong direction.Let's read:
Revelation 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
These developments have not yet taken place, and although the visit of pope Francis in September of this year is an ominous sign, because he is scheduled to address congress and the united nations, yet we must wait and see what the tenor of his address, and the reaction of congress will be, for even now The Lord seems to be working behind the scenes to counteract the influence of the man of sin, by causing the Republicans in the house and Senate to be deeply offended by some of his recent remarks.
It is therefore necessary for us to watch and wait, but not in idleness, for all things point to the soon return of our Lord and Savior, and thus it behooves us to make the most of all present opportunities, to carry the everlasting gospel to a dying world, whilst we still can. Let us therefore be sober and vigilant, watching and working in earnest expectation of the blessed hope, and let us be reminded that our focus should not be on what man is doing on earth, but rather on what God is doing in heaven, because all of the predicted developments are in His hands, hence the reason He bids us "Watch".
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to keep the blessed hope alive in our minds, and to avoid the snares of the many scoffers that are now multiplying in places high and low. Let's read:
2nd Peter 3:3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God".... 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!