Watchfulness is a recurring theme in the New Testament, urging believers to remain vigilant and prepared for the return of Jesus Christ. The uncertainty surrounding the timing of His coming serves as a powerful motive for maintaining spiritual alertness and readiness.

Biblical Exhortations to Watchfulness

The call to watchfulness is prominently featured in the teachings of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus warns His disciples, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come" (Matthew 24:42). This exhortation underscores the unpredictability of the Second Coming, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance.

Similarly, in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus instructs, "Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come" (Mark 13:33). The repeated emphasis on not knowing the exact time serves to remind believers that the return of Christ could occur at any moment, necessitating a state of perpetual readiness.

Parables Illustrating Watchfulness

Jesus employs parables to illustrate the importance of watchfulness. The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) is a poignant example. In this parable, five wise virgins are prepared with oil for their lamps, while five foolish ones are not. When the bridegroom arrives unexpectedly, only the prepared virgins are able to join the wedding feast. Jesus concludes, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" (Matthew 25:13).

Another parable, the Parable of the Faithful Servant (Luke 12:35-40), further emphasizes this theme. The servant who remains watchful and ready for his master's return is blessed, while the unprepared servant faces consequences. Jesus states, "You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect" (Luke 12:40).

Apostolic Teachings on Watchfulness

The apostles continue this theme in their epistles, urging believers to live in a state of readiness. The Apostle Paul writes to the Thessalonians, "So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober" (1 Thessalonians 5:6). Paul contrasts spiritual wakefulness with the complacency of those who are unprepared for the Lord's return.

Peter also exhorts believers to be vigilant, writing, "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray" (1 Peter 4:7). This call to sobriety and prayerfulness is a reminder of the spiritual discipline required to remain watchful.

Motivations for Watchfulness

The uncertainty of the timing of Christ's return serves as a primary motivation for watchfulness. This uncertainty is not meant to instill fear but to encourage a life of holiness and devotion. Believers are called to live in a manner that reflects their anticipation of Christ's return, characterized by faithfulness, righteousness, and active service.

The Apostle John captures this sentiment, writing, "And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:3). The hope of Christ's return inspires believers to pursue purity and holiness, aligning their lives with the teachings of Jesus.

In summary, the call to watchfulness is a central tenet of the Christian faith, driven by the unpredictable timing of Christ's return. Through parables, teachings, and apostolic exhortations, Scripture consistently urges believers to remain vigilant, living in a state of readiness and anticipation for the glorious return of the Lord.Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord does come.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 25:13
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 13:35,36
Watch you therefore: for you know not when the master of the house comes, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Watching for the King
... to say, it not only is uncertain, but unexpected ... feel the power of other constraining
motives of Christian ... find their motive in that watchfulness, which works ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/watching for the king.htm

Paul's Departure and Crown;
... to it.3. Press it with several motives.4. Make ... you may see by Christ's exhortation
to watchfulness, and to ... not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/pauls departure and crown.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... saints will always have need of watchfulness against temptation ... need there substantially
the same motives to keep ... in the sense of the event's being uncertain. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

Introduction to Oration ii.
... with a full explanation of the motives which had ... significance, and demanding no slight
fear and watchfulness. ... which are dishonourable and uncertain, a little ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction to oration ii.htm

Colossians iii. 17
... being familiar with man's nature and motives, can judge ... retained by constant prayer
and watchfulness, and to ... shall be hopelessly obscure and uncertain; that if ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xxxix colossians iii 17.htm

The Desire of the Righteous Granted;
... unto them at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1 ... for ever and ever; yet the
day is coming, when their ... and the righteous, with reference to time and things ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the desire of the righteous.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... had waited so long, scanning the heavens in patient watchfulness. ... completely to the
Temple in a few years time. ... these refer to the same tunnel is uncertain. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... what are the moral ideals, we are often uncertain how far ... His acts were seen everywhere,
his motives guessed. ... elements of the story have led in our time to a ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... so much by speculative interests as by religious motives, the relation ... and hinder
the work of those coming, whom we ... And at that time the gathering of these was ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm

part ii
... I see that everything earthly is uncertain, corruptible, and soon ... as well as to spend
time in intriguing ... on the bare earth, by watchfulness, labours, unceasing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

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