Be Alert, Be Watchful in the End Times
Understanding Spiritual Watching
Spiritual and Physical Awareness
"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."
--- Matthew 24:42
"But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
--- Luke 21:36
"When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me."
--- Mark 13:9 NLT
"Watch out! I have warned you about this ahead of time!"
--- Mark 13:23 NLT
"Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come."
--- Mark 13:33
"Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—"
--- Mark 13:35
To watch spiritually in the last days means to be observant of both world events and our own spiritual condition in light of Bible prophecy. It's about paying close attention to signs and trends in the world that align with those prophecies.
It's also about maintaining a strong prayer life, abiding in Christ to discern what is really happening in the world. It's using our spiritual eyes to filter out the lies and deceit that the Bible says are prevalent in the last days.
In essence, it is about staying alert and discerning what is happening around us in light of scripture.
It denotes a continual awareness of our circumstances using our physical and spiritual eyes as we prepare
for the return of Jesus, our blessed hope, after 2000 years.
It is critical to spiritually watch and stay pure in our relationship with Christ
to face the spiritual battles ahead and as we prepare for Christ's return.
We need to stay awake and pray.
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
--- 1 Peter 4:7
Jesus warned us time and again about watching, being alert, being strong in the Lord, sober in spirit.
We need to watch, pray, and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit not to fall into temptation to sin.
The disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane were told to stay awake, but they fell asleep.
And when Judas (a foreshadowing of the Antichrist) came up the hill, the disciples were not prepared and did not stand firm with Jesus but were scattered.
The Church today is asleep.
We need to wake up and be watchful!
For more on how the Garden of Gethsemane is a foreshadowing of the end times,
Click here for "Garden of Gethsemane"
Key Aspects of Being Alert and Watchful:
Spiritual Awareness:
We are called to be aware of our spiritual condition and the world around us, recognizing the potential for temptation and spiritual deception.
"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
--- Matthew 26:41
Physical Awareness:
We should also be observant and watchful for physical signs in the world that relate to the last days.
We should monitor news and events around the world, looking for patterns or occurrences that align with biblical prophecies. This can range from geopolitical events to natural disasters, social trends, or even specific religious or cultural movements.
Matthew 24:5-8
describes false prophets, wars, natural disasters, and deception as signs of the end times.
We need to be physically watching for these signs as Jesus commanded.
Prayer and Intercession:
We are encouraged to be persistent and "watchful" in prayer, seeking God's guidance and protection in our daily lives.
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
--- Colossians 4:2
Discernment and Wisdom:
We are called to be discerning, recognizing the influence of the devil and choosing to resist temptation and stand firm in our faith.
Scripture tells us that in the end times, deception will be enormous. We will need a discerning spirit
to be able to navigate the onslaught of lies from the Devil.
The first thing Jesus warned us about in the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24 is:
"Jesus answered, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error]." [Amplified version]
--- Matthew 24:4
And in 2 Timothy,
"While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."
--- 2 Timothy 3:13
We need to be alert and prepared for these deceptions that are in the world already and getting worse.
Knowing what the Bible says is one of our best defenses to avoid being deceived.
We have to be able to separate fact from error.
Jesus continues in Matthew 24,
"And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray." --- Matthew 24:11
The danger is real for us to be tricked into believing what is false.
And we know that the Antichrist spirit is already in the world:
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
--- 1 John 4:1
Read and study the Bible each day.
Living a Life of Faith:
We are to live lives that reflect our faith, standing firm in the truth and resisting the temptations of the world.
"Watching" helps us to be steadfast in our convictions, even when faced with the challenges of isolation and persecution. Our actions, choices, and interactions with the world should be consistent with our beliefs.
The world offers constant allurements that can lead us astray from our faith. We have to have vigilance, self-discipline, and a strong moral compass to resist these temptations and remain faithful to our principles.
Continually "watching" while meditating on the word of God increases our faith and gives us a deeper understanding of its teachings, allowing us to develop a strong, enduring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Watching spiritually" enables us to be intentional about living our faith, not just believing it. It encourages us to stand firm in our convictions, even when the world tries to pull us in different directions, and to strive to live a life pleasing to the Lord.
Preparedness for Christ's Return:
We are to be ready for Christ's return, living lives that are pleasing to God and sharing the gospel with others. "Watching" helps us look for doors of opportunity to speak the gospel to those around us.
We need to always look outward to others more than inward to self.
Our witness and testimony in the end times is very important.
And just like John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord at His first coming, we need to take on that role in His second coming. We need to be warning others that Jesus, the Messiah, is coming to judge the world in righteousness.
Our witness to others should be, like John,
"Repent, the Kingdom of God is at hand."
(Matthew 3:1-2)
More Verses on Alertness and Watchfulness
"Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come]." [Amplified version]
--- Matthew 25:13
This verse highlights the importance of being prepared for Christ's return and living in a state of readiness.
"Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour." [Amplified version]
--- 1 Peter 5:8
This verse encourages us to be alert to the spiritual battle and to resist the enemy's attacks.
"Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake."
--- Mark 13:33-34
This end time passage emphasizes the importance of being vigilant and prepared for the return of Christ.
In essence, being watchful means being alert to the spiritual realm, living a life of faith, and being prepared for Christ's return. It requires constant vigilance, prayer, and a commitment to living a life that reflects our faith.
"Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."
--- 1 Corinthians 16:13
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving."
--- Colossians 4:2
"But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
--- Luke 21:36
