What other scriptures reinforce the call to be watchful and ready for Christ's return? The Wake-Up Call in Matthew 24:43 “Matthew 24:43: ‘But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.’” Christ’s single sentence carries two emphases: • Unknown timing • Active, ongoing vigilance That theme echoes all through the New Testament. Parallel Words from Jesus Himself • Mark 13:33-37 – “Be on guard! Stay alert! … What I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!” • Luke 12:35-40 – “Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning … You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect.” • Luke 21:34-36 – “Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down … So keep watch at all times, and pray that you may have strength to escape all that is about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Thief-in-the-Night Passages from the Apostles • 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6 – “The day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night … So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober.” • 2 Peter 3:10-14 – “The Day of the Lord will come like a thief … Therefore, beloved, since you are anticipating these things, make every effort to be found at peace—spotless and blameless in His sight.” • Revelation 16:15 – “Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed.” • Revelation 3:2-3 – “Wake up … If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief.” Calls to Stay Spiritually Alert and Ready • Romans 13:11-12 – “The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber … The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near.” • Titus 2:11-13 – God’s grace teaches us “to live sensible, upright, and godly lives … as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” • James 5:7-9 – “Be patient … The Lord’s coming is near … Look, the Judge is standing at the door!” Images Scripture Uses to Keep Us Alert • A thief (Matthew 24:43; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Revelation 16:15) – sudden, unexpected • A master returning (Luke 12:35-40; Mark 13:34-36) – servants must be busy with assigned work • A farmer waiting (James 5:7-8) – steady patience, daily cultivation • Night vs. Day (Romans 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8) – believers are “sons of the day,” not lulled to sleep by darkness • Clothing/armor (Romans 13:12; Revelation 16:15) – holiness and readiness are what we “wear” Practical Ways Scripture Tells Us to “Keep Watch” • Stay spiritually awake – daily time in the Word and prayer (Mark 13:33; Luke 21:36) • Live clean, godly lives – lay aside deeds of darkness, put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12) • Serve faithfully – each servant doing his assigned task until the Master returns (Mark 13:34) • Walk in sober self-control – alert minds, guarded hearts (1 Thessalonians 5:6-8) • Maintain patient endurance – like a farmer trusting God’s timetable (James 5:7-8) • Fix hope on His appearance – “await the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13), looking for “a new heaven and a new earth” (2 Peter 3:13) Living Expectantly Today Every referenced passage pulls our hearts in the same direction: Christ’s return is certain, its timing is hidden, and those who belong to Him are to stay awake, clean, equipped, and engaged. The thief-in-the-night motif is not meant to frighten believers but to keep us eager and diligent. Watchfulness is simply normal Christian living under the bright expectation that at any moment the Lord we love could step through the door. |
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