Watch Therefore

From the turn of this century, there has been a sharp rise in interest around the world towards things of the apocalyptic nature or “the end of the world”. Seemingly more and more people are increasingly concerned about the future; not just about theirs but the whole world’s future. There are interesting theories in this regard doing the rounds these days; one of them even puts a date to the end of the world as 21st Dec 2012.

Proponents of these theories, especially in our secular media emphasise on the world coming to an end in the very near future, but let’s pay a closer look at what the bible says on the subject.

In Matt 24:3 the disciples came to Jesus on the Mount of Olives and posed him a question in private “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?”. The word “world” used in the King James is translated from the Greek word “aion” which more precisely refers to an “age” as translated in the NIV and other translations. In other words it is literally not the world (earth) coming to an end, but a shift, a change of guard - from human governance to the governance of the King of kings. The bible further declares that there will be a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1), but this will take place only after the coming of the Lord in glory and setting up of His kingdom on earth for 1000 years.

In the next verse (Matt 24:4) Jesus answers the disciples query on the signs of the end of the age: “Take heed....”(KJV) or “Watch out...” (NIV) for ‘deception, wars, famines, earthquakes, ethnic conflicts, persecution of believers, rise of false prophets, hatred for one another and increase in iniquity which causes the love of many to grow cold.’ Doesn’t this look like today’s news headlines?? How can we fathom the coldness of the heart of a mother who kills her baby in the bathroom as soon as it is born or of a student taking a gun to school and killing many innocent people, when adultery, pornography and abortion is rampant in society or for one ethnic group to seek annihilation of another which does not share their cultural or religious beliefs. In verse 14 Jesus continues “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Beloved, we are that generation which is witnessing both the greatest evil and also the most widespread preaching of the gospel of the kingdom. I truly believe that we are in the last hour of the last days. So as believers, we are to be excited about our coming Messiah rather than be worried about the world coming to an end.

Going ahead in Matt 24:42 and in Matt 25:13 Jesus commands his disciples to “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” Many say based on this verse that we are not to deduce the season of his return, but Jesus clearly states to “watch”, which is the Greek word “gregoreuo” meaning “to keep awake, to be ready or vigilant”. Here Jesus is encouraging rather even commanding in the parables that we be watchful and ready for His return. In 1 Thess 5:1 Paul states that he does not find the need to explain the times and seasons of the Lord’s return as the Thessalonian church was aware of it already.

The word “gregoreuo” has two dimensions one inward (to be ready personally) and one outward (to be vigilant or understanding of the times). We are to live a life worthy of the calling with which we are called (Eph 4:1), walking in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the Lord (2Pt 3:11,12).

While on the one hand we ought to see that our walk with God grows in intimacy and consistency while on the other hand gain a firm understanding of the times we live-in, in light of the scriptures.

Be Ready. Watch Out. Jesus is coming soon.

- Thomas Mathew