p. 329 | Watch and Pray by J.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 3, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 21.

Watch and Pray.

By J.

JESUS had told his disciples that the temple in Jerusalem should be thrown down, that not one stone should be left upon another. And when they asked him, "When shall these things be?" he gave them a sign which, when they should see, they were to know that the desolation was at hand. That sign was, "When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh." Luke 21:20. For this sign they were to look. They knew not when it would be, but if they believed the word of the Lord, they believed it would be, and they were to look for it. And even when they should see it, it was only a sign that the desolation was nigh. When they should see the sign, they could not tell when the event would be, only that it was nigh. But the sign was what concerned them most; they were not to wait for the event. For he said as soon as the armies were seen about Jerusalem, "Let them which be in Judea flee into the mountains;" and their flight was to be so hasty that if they were in the field they were not even to go to the house to get any clothes; and even if one was on the top of the house, he could not go down into the house to take anything with him. It is evident, therefore, that the sign which Christ gave must have had an important place in the minds of all who really believed his words, for otherwise they would not be ready to leave on such short notice.

Indeed, the Saviour made provision that this sign should have an important place with them. Because in view of it he said, "Pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath day." Thus the Lord, in making it a part of their prayers, fixed the sign and their flight ever before them.

In the same conversation the disciples asked the Lord concerning a much greater event than the destruction of the temple, even the coming of the Lord himself in glory, and the sign of it. Of this he told them, "There shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth." "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." And "when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors." Luke 21:25, 26; Matt. 24:33. These things began to come to pass in May, 1780, and any one who will look at all can see "all these things;" and as the disciples when they saw Jerusalem compassed with armies were to know that the desolation of it was nigh, just so we know that the coming of the Lord Jesus, "wrapped in a blaze of boundless glory," is at the doors. And just as they were to watch for the event and pray that they might escape it, so Jesus has said to us: "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 21:36. He who believes the word of the Lord will watch for these things. He who watches for them will pray that he may escape them and stand blameless before the Son of man. And he shall be delivered as surely as were the disciples from the terrors that came upon devoted Judea. "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming." 1 John 2:28.