"AWAKE THOU THAT SLEEPEST."
By G.
T was because the disciples slept when the Lord had told them to watch, in the Garden of Gethsemane, that they lost courage when He was arrested. He was strengthened for the coming ordeal by communion with an angel, and they might have been likewise strengthened had they watched instead of sleeping. Peter would not have denied the Lord, had he not slept when he was enjoined to "watch . . . and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." Peter, James, and John slept, on the Mount of Transfiguration, while Jesus talked with Moses and Elijah about His death, which should take place at Jerusalem. Had these disciples been sufficiently interested to stay awake while Jesus prayed, they would have been prepared for coming events, and could have assisted in preparing the other disciples, so they would also have understood the situation. But they slept at the critical moment, and saw only the Transfiguration and the two heavenly beings, but heard none of the encouraging conversation. They awoke in time to become bewildered by what they saw, and to make an impracticable suggestion. Now these things were written for our learning, that we may not be found asleep when we ought to be watching. Jesus says to us who are living in the last days, "Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." "Stablish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." Of the last-days' church, the Lord says, "Because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of My mouth." This implies that the church of to-day is virtually doing little in real Gospel work. It is lukewarm, asleep as to the work the Lord would have done. It is so drowsy that it can not appreciate what is just before; can not "discern the signs of the times," and is therefore unprepared for the fast-approaching crisis. Under such lamentable conditions, the Lord says: "I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayst be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayst be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayst see." In other words, His apostle says, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is."