Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
It commands constant watchfulness and prayer because no one knows when the appointed time will come, which the Father alone knows. His coming will be sudden like a master returning unexpectedly, and will catch the unprepared as the flood caught the world in Noah's day. Watching is not idle waiting but faithful continuance in the work entrusted to every servant, making known the gospel to all while looking for His return. The charge presses with special urgency while judgment is in progress in heaven and will soon reach the cases of the living, calling each person to sincere repentance, searching of heart, and overcoming of sin without giving way to spiritual sleep. Vigilance also means guarding the heart and soul moment by moment against Satan, temptation, selfish passion, and evil suspicion, lest neglect weaken spiritual life and draw the soul from the Christian path.
Words and Historical Setting
Jesus was alone on the Mount of Olives with Peter and James and John and Andrew when He answered their question about when these things would happen and what would be the sign of their fulfillment, of His coming, and of the end of the world. The charge to be on guard and to stay awake and pray because no one knows when the appointed time will come belongs to that answer, with the time unknown to no man nor to angels nor to the Son but to the Father only.
The discourse does not treat the destruction of Jerusalem and the great day of His coming separately but mingles them together, in mercy because the disciples could not have endured the future as He beheld it, leaving them to study out its meaning for themselves. When it speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem its prophetic words reach beyond that event to the final conflagration when the Lord rises out of His place to punish the world for iniquity. The whole discourse, including the command to watch, was given not for the disciples only but for those who will live in the last scenes of this earth's history.
The command stands amid warnings of deceivers coming in His name, of wars and rumors of wars, of nation rising against nation, and of earthquakes and famines and troubles as the beginnings of sorrows. It stands amid warnings of persecution before councils and rulers, of betrayal and hatred for His name with salvation to him that endures to the end, and of the gospel first published among all nations with the Holy Ghost giving words in that hour. It stands amid the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel calling for flight from Judea, unequaled affliction shortened for the elect's sake, and false Christs showing signs to seduce even the elect. Then follow the darkening of sun and moon and falling stars and shaking of the heavenly powers, the Son of man coming in clouds with power and glory to gather His elect, the lesson of the fig tree that summer is near and that He is nigh even at the doors, and the certainty of His words though heaven and earth pass away. It closes with the parable of the Son of man as a man on a far journey leaving his house with authority and work to servants and commanding the porter to watch, so that the master coming at evening or midnight or cockcrowing or morning does not find them sleeping, a charge to watch given to all.
Staying awake and praying is an often-repeated instruction showing that prayer is necessary. It was Christ's repeated warning to His disciples in Gethsemane to stay awake spiritually and plead earnestly with God for refuge, so that satanic agencies do not prevail and steadfast faith withstands temptation. Continued prayer would have shaken off stupor, kept the disciples from sleep, comforted Christ in His suffering, and prepared them to endure the test of His betrayal and death. Their failure to heed it left them paralyzed, asleep, and unable to stand.
Unknown Time and Coming
No one knows when the appointed time will come, neither man nor angels nor the Son, but the Father only. The exact day and hour of the second coming have not been revealed and remain God's mystery. Because the timing is uncertain, taking heed, watching, and praying are necessary, keeping believers alert and ready rather than spiritually asleep. Followers must therefore live in constant expectation rather than claim to know its date.
His coming will be sudden, like a master returning unexpectedly to a household left in the care of servants. As the flood caught people unprepared in Noah's day, so Christ's return will catch the unprepared. The Master may come suddenly, and those found sleeping or neglecting duty will not be ready. Servants must therefore remain watchful and faithful in assigned work, and must not be surprised. The call to watch is for everyone.
The warning presses with special urgency during the closing work of atonement while judgment is in progress in heaven and will soon reach the cases of the living. Each life is to come up in review before God. No one knows how soon the cases of the living will come under review. Each person must therefore prepare individually through sincere repentance, searching of heart, and overcoming sin. Watchfulness must not give way to spiritual sleep or worldly distraction.
The same discourse warns that sinful cities and their possessions will be destroyed by earthquakes, fire, and flood, since the time is unknown and calls for watchfulness and prayer. The end is near and solemn events are soon to take place. Events are unfolding and growing in importance near the close of earth's history, calling for vigilant watching and prayer. No one knows when personal probation will end or work will be finished, so life must be lived attentively moment by moment. God's help is to be sought in daily work, with greater earnestness when work or burdens are heavy. The attitude required is to watch, wait, work, and pray because the end is near though its time is unknown.
Apparent delay in His appearing must not lead to carelessness. Extended time is mercy, giving opportunity to prepare character, overcome defects, and help others prepare. Time is for this work, not for ease or attachment to earthly life. Readiness must not depend on knowing when He will come. Servants are to wait and watch faithfully every day, doing what is right even if His coming is many years away. Delaying a changed life until the time seems near is selfish; life is to be continually directed to God's glory.
The command to look for, watch, expect, and be ready for His coming though its time is unknown makes it right to urge others to prepare. Expectation of His return is meant to lead people to faith in the crucified and risen Saviour and to readiness.
Watchful Working and Praying
The call to take heed, watch and pray is for everyone, because the time of return is unknown and the Master may come suddenly and find servants sleeping or neglecting duty. Like a householder leaving servants in charge, He gives each person entrusted work to carry out faithfully while awaiting His return. Waiting for the end is not permission to be idle or indifferent, and vigilant expectation must be joined with earnest service, including fulfilling the commission to preach the gospel to all people.
Watching and praying must not be spent in idle expectation but combined with faithful work in view of solemn events soon to take place, for the end is near. To every man, to each child of God, is given a personal work, laying on all who know present truth the responsibility to make it known by giving the last message of mercy and preaching the gospel to all in fulfillment of Christ's commission. In this His servants share responsibility as co-laborers with God for the well-being and salvation of the world in winning souls, using time and God-given talents faithfully rather than neglecting duties or living for self. All must answer to God for the good they could have done, and faithful servants will receive His approval, while faithful work itself requires continued vigilance and dependence on God.
The required attitude is expectation expressed as working, waiting, watching and praying because the time is unknown and the end is near, not remaining indifferent. Christians cannot lay aside their armor even for a moment in the ongoing struggle against Satan, and must not let down their guard. This vigilance includes guarding the heart against Satan's suggestions, especially evil suspicions that lead to harmful words and actions.
Guarding the soul means resisting Satan, unchecked passion, selfish thoughts and temptation, while faithfully doing duty and looking for opportunities to do good, since neglecting watchfulness weakens spiritual life and power. When attention is turned from Christ, Satan and the deceitful heart can draw a person from the Christian path. The same watchfulness is needed to resist worldliness, selfishness and ingratitude and to remain faithful in giving to God.
In the last days believers face dangers they may fail to recognize, especially when efforts seem successful, and must remain faithful, repent and put away hidden sin. Staying true amid abounding iniquity in the perils of the last days, when many are insensible to danger, means using religious advantages to know far more, refusing carelessness when prosperity crowns efforts, and hiding self in God. It means repenting rather than treating repentance as mere feeling, and purifying the soul by obeying truth through cutting off cherished sin.
God's workers must stay alert and prayerful at every step, because many things will come to confuse and entangle them and a vigilant foe is watching. They must watch lest they stand in the way of God's work and hurt truth by a wrong impression, adorning profession by honest conduct and cherishing the grace of the Holy Spirit instead of becoming hindrances. They must make straight paths for their feet lest the lame be turned out of the way, remembering they are pilgrims and strangers in the world but not of it, and seeking deeper knowledge and clearer understanding of truth. The injunction to watch and pray, repeated in Scripture, brings those who obey it an undercurrent of happiness that blesses others. It transforms sour, cross or proud dispositions into gentleness, sweetness, meekness and humility.
Prayer is necessary and readiness is required, for the teaching shows the necessity of prayer and readiness in view of the unknown appointed time. This calls for living attentively moment by moment and seeking God's help in daily work, with greater earnestness when work or burdens are heavy, because no one knows when probation will end or work will be finished. The present time demands wakefulness and constant watchfulness and prayer, and sleeping at one's post is highly dangerous.
It commands constant watchfulness and prayer because no one knows when the appointed time will come, which the Father alone knows. His coming will be sudden like a master returning unexpectedly, and will catch the unprepared as the flood caught the world in Noah's day. Watching is not idle waiting but faithful continuance in the work entrusted to every servant, making known the gospel to all while looking for His return. The charge presses with special urgency while judgment is in progress in heaven and will soon reach the cases of the living, calling each person to sincere repentance, searching of heart, and overcoming of sin without giving way to spiritual sleep. Vigilance also means guarding the heart and soul moment by moment against Satan, temptation, selfish passion, and evil suspicion, lest neglect weaken spiritual life and draw the soul from the Christian path.
Words and Historical Setting
Jesus was alone on the Mount of Olives with Peter and James and John and Andrew when He answered their question about when these things would happen and what would be the sign of their fulfillment, of His coming, and of the end of the world. The charge to be on guard and to stay awake and pray because no one knows when the appointed time will come belongs to that answer, with the time unknown to no man nor to angels nor to the Son but to the Father only.
The discourse does not treat the destruction of Jerusalem and the great day of His coming separately but mingles them together, in mercy because the disciples could not have endured the future as He beheld it, leaving them to study out its meaning for themselves. When it speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem its prophetic words reach beyond that event to the final conflagration when the Lord rises out of His place to punish the world for iniquity. The whole discourse, including the command to watch, was given not for the disciples only but for those who will live in the last scenes of this earth's history.
The command stands amid warnings of deceivers coming in His name, of wars and rumors of wars, of nation rising against nation, and of earthquakes and famines and troubles as the beginnings of sorrows. It stands amid warnings of persecution before councils and rulers, of betrayal and hatred for His name with salvation to him that endures to the end, and of the gospel first published among all nations with the Holy Ghost giving words in that hour. It stands amid the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel calling for flight from Judea, unequaled affliction shortened for the elect's sake, and false Christs showing signs to seduce even the elect. Then follow the darkening of sun and moon and falling stars and shaking of the heavenly powers, the Son of man coming in clouds with power and glory to gather His elect, the lesson of the fig tree that summer is near and that He is nigh even at the doors, and the certainty of His words though heaven and earth pass away. It closes with the parable of the Son of man as a man on a far journey leaving his house with authority and work to servants and commanding the porter to watch, so that the master coming at evening or midnight or cockcrowing or morning does not find them sleeping, a charge to watch given to all.
Staying awake and praying is an often-repeated instruction showing that prayer is necessary. It was Christ's repeated warning to His disciples in Gethsemane to stay awake spiritually and plead earnestly with God for refuge, so that satanic agencies do not prevail and steadfast faith withstands temptation. Continued prayer would have shaken off stupor, kept the disciples from sleep, comforted Christ in His suffering, and prepared them to endure the test of His betrayal and death. Their failure to heed it left them paralyzed, asleep, and unable to stand.
Unknown Time and Coming
No one knows when the appointed time will come, neither man nor angels nor the Son, but the Father only. The exact day and hour of the second coming have not been revealed and remain God's mystery. Because the timing is uncertain, taking heed, watching, and praying are necessary, keeping believers alert and ready rather than spiritually asleep. Followers must therefore live in constant expectation rather than claim to know its date.
His coming will be sudden, like a master returning unexpectedly to a household left in the care of servants. As the flood caught people unprepared in Noah's day, so Christ's return will catch the unprepared. The Master may come suddenly, and those found sleeping or neglecting duty will not be ready. Servants must therefore remain watchful and faithful in assigned work, and must not be surprised. The call to watch is for everyone.
The warning presses with special urgency during the closing work of atonement while judgment is in progress in heaven and will soon reach the cases of the living. Each life is to come up in review before God. No one knows how soon the cases of the living will come under review. Each person must therefore prepare individually through sincere repentance, searching of heart, and overcoming sin. Watchfulness must not give way to spiritual sleep or worldly distraction.
The same discourse warns that sinful cities and their possessions will be destroyed by earthquakes, fire, and flood, since the time is unknown and calls for watchfulness and prayer. The end is near and solemn events are soon to take place. Events are unfolding and growing in importance near the close of earth's history, calling for vigilant watching and prayer. No one knows when personal probation will end or work will be finished, so life must be lived attentively moment by moment. God's help is to be sought in daily work, with greater earnestness when work or burdens are heavy. The attitude required is to watch, wait, work, and pray because the end is near though its time is unknown.
Apparent delay in His appearing must not lead to carelessness. Extended time is mercy, giving opportunity to prepare character, overcome defects, and help others prepare. Time is for this work, not for ease or attachment to earthly life. Readiness must not depend on knowing when He will come. Servants are to wait and watch faithfully every day, doing what is right even if His coming is many years away. Delaying a changed life until the time seems near is selfish; life is to be continually directed to God's glory.
The command to look for, watch, expect, and be ready for His coming though its time is unknown makes it right to urge others to prepare. Expectation of His return is meant to lead people to faith in the crucified and risen Saviour and to readiness.
Watchful Working and Praying
The call to take heed, watch and pray is for everyone, because the time of return is unknown and the Master may come suddenly and find servants sleeping or neglecting duty. Like a householder leaving servants in charge, He gives each person entrusted work to carry out faithfully while awaiting His return. Waiting for the end is not permission to be idle or indifferent, and vigilant expectation must be joined with earnest service, including fulfilling the commission to preach the gospel to all people.
Watching and praying must not be spent in idle expectation but combined with faithful work in view of solemn events soon to take place, for the end is near. To every man, to each child of God, is given a personal work, laying on all who know present truth the responsibility to make it known by giving the last message of mercy and preaching the gospel to all in fulfillment of Christ's commission. In this His servants share responsibility as co-laborers with God for the well-being and salvation of the world in winning souls, using time and God-given talents faithfully rather than neglecting duties or living for self. All must answer to God for the good they could have done, and faithful servants will receive His approval, while faithful work itself requires continued vigilance and dependence on God.
The required attitude is expectation expressed as working, waiting, watching and praying because the time is unknown and the end is near, not remaining indifferent. Christians cannot lay aside their armor even for a moment in the ongoing struggle against Satan, and must not let down their guard. This vigilance includes guarding the heart against Satan's suggestions, especially evil suspicions that lead to harmful words and actions.
Guarding the soul means resisting Satan, unchecked passion, selfish thoughts and temptation, while faithfully doing duty and looking for opportunities to do good, since neglecting watchfulness weakens spiritual life and power. When attention is turned from Christ, Satan and the deceitful heart can draw a person from the Christian path. The same watchfulness is needed to resist worldliness, selfishness and ingratitude and to remain faithful in giving to God.
In the last days believers face dangers they may fail to recognize, especially when efforts seem successful, and must remain faithful, repent and put away hidden sin. Staying true amid abounding iniquity in the perils of the last days, when many are insensible to danger, means using religious advantages to know far more, refusing carelessness when prosperity crowns efforts, and hiding self in God. It means repenting rather than treating repentance as mere feeling, and purifying the soul by obeying truth through cutting off cherished sin.
God's workers must stay alert and prayerful at every step, because many things will come to confuse and entangle them and a vigilant foe is watching. They must watch lest they stand in the way of God's work and hurt truth by a wrong impression, adorning profession by honest conduct and cherishing the grace of the Holy Spirit instead of becoming hindrances. They must make straight paths for their feet lest the lame be turned out of the way, remembering they are pilgrims and strangers in the world but not of it, and seeking deeper knowledge and clearer understanding of truth. The injunction to watch and pray, repeated in Scripture, brings those who obey it an undercurrent of happiness that blesses others. It transforms sour, cross or proud dispositions into gentleness, sweetness, meekness and humility.
Prayer is necessary and readiness is required, for the teaching shows the necessity of prayer and readiness in view of the unknown appointed time. This calls for living attentively moment by moment and seeking God's help in daily work, with greater earnestness when work or burdens are heavy, because no one knows when probation will end or work will be finished. The present time demands wakefulness and constant watchfulness and prayer, and sleeping at one's post is highly dangerous.