Definition and Origin
The term "wakes" in a biblical context is not directly mentioned in the Scriptures. However, the concept of being awake, both physically and spiritually, is prevalent throughout the Bible. The idea of wakefulness often symbolizes vigilance, readiness, and spiritual alertness, contrasting with sleep, which can represent spiritual lethargy or unpreparedness.

Biblical References and Themes
1. Spiritual Vigilance: The Bible frequently calls believers to be spiritually awake and vigilant. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of watchfulness. In Matthew 24:42 , He instructs, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come." This call to wakefulness is a reminder to live in a state of readiness for Christ's return.

2. Moral and Ethical Alertness: The Apostle Paul also speaks to the necessity of being awake in a moral and ethical sense. In Romans 13:11 , he writes, "And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." Here, Paul urges believers to live righteously, recognizing the urgency of the times.

3. Contrast with Spiritual Sleep: The Bible often contrasts wakefulness with spiritual sleep. In 1 Thessalonians 5:6 , Paul advises, "So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober." This passage highlights the need for Christians to be distinct from the world, maintaining spiritual alertness and sobriety.

4. Parables and Teachings of Jesus: Jesus uses parables to illustrate the importance of being awake and prepared. The Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 serves as a poignant example. The wise virgins who stayed awake and prepared were ready when the bridegroom arrived, while the foolish ones who slept were left out.

5. Prophetic and Eschatological Contexts: Wakefulness is also significant in prophetic and eschatological contexts. In Revelation 16:15 , Jesus warns, "Behold, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who remains awake and clothed, so that he will not go naked and let his shame be exposed." This verse underscores the necessity of being spiritually prepared for the end times.

Practical Implications for Believers
The call to wakefulness in the Bible is a call to spiritual discipline, readiness, and moral integrity. Believers are encouraged to remain alert to the leading of the Holy Spirit, to be diligent in prayer, and to live lives that reflect the teachings of Christ. This wakefulness is not merely about avoiding sin but actively pursuing righteousness and being prepared for the return of Jesus.

Conclusion
While the specific term "wakes" may not appear in the Bible, the concept of wakefulness is deeply embedded in biblical teaching. It serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual readiness and moral vigilance, urging believers to live in anticipation of Christ's return and to be ever watchful in their faith journey.

Presence in Absence
... But your religion, when it wakes up in you, will be a melancholy and
terrifying one. I say, when it wakes up in you"for you will ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xii presence in absence.htm

Luther's Second Preface.
... Accordingly have we, in our churches, abolished, done away, and out-and-out made
an end of the popish horrors, such as wakes, masses for the soul, obsequies ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/luthers second preface.htm

Asleep in Jesus! Blessed Sleep
... blessed sleep! From which none ever wakes to weep; A calm and undisturbed repose,. ...
But there is still a blessed sleep,. From which none ever wakes to weep. ...
/.../burial of the dead 413.htm

"Asleep in Christ. "
... 1 Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep! From which none ever wakes to weep; A calm and
undisturbed repose, Unbroken by the dread of foes. 2 Asleep in Jesus! ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/549 asleep in christ.htm

Apprehending God
... The sincere plain man knows that the world is real. He finds it here when he wakes
to consciousness, and he knows that he did not think it into being. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/iv apprehending god.htm

Hymns on the Nativity. Hymn i. This is the Day that Gladdened Them ...
... Wakeful also is the careful, by his care his sleep is swallowed: though his end
stands by his pillow, yet he wakes with cares for years to come. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymns on the nativity hymn.htm

The Hope of Future Bliss
... The second blessing, upon which I will be brief, is satisfaction. He will be satisfied,
the Psalmist says, when he wakes up in God's likeness. Satisfaction! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the hope of future bliss.htm

An Advance Step in the Royal Programme
... Jacob wakes up in his dream and sees a ladder set up connecting earth and heaven,
and the angels going up and returning again while God talks with him. ...
/.../quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/v an advance step in the.htm

Glimpses
... In that passage upon charity in which the genius of early Christianity wings
its highest flight, one note alone wakes no response in us. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/iv glimpses.htm

1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a ...
... them. The being called by their own names, man by man, wakes up an interest,
and causes the public-house life to go into the shade. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vii 1877-1879 they helped.htm

Wakes (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wakes (3 Occurrences). Psalms 73:20 As a dream when one
wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies. ...
/w/wakes.htm - 7k

Waketh (8 Occurrences)

/w/waketh.htm - 8k

Wakens (1 Occurrence)

/w/wakens.htm - 6k

Fantasies (4 Occurrences)
... Fantasies (4 Occurrences). Psalms 73:20 As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord,
when you awake, you will despise their fantasies. (WEB NIV). ...
/f/fantasies.htm - 7k

Phantoms (1 Occurrence)
... Phantoms (1 Occurrence). Psalms 73:20 As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord,
when you awake, you will despise their fantasies. (See RSV). ...
/p/phantoms.htm - 6k

Awakes (4 Occurrences)
... Malachi 2:12 Yahweh will cut off, to the man who does this, him who wakes and him
who answers, out of the tents of Jacob, and him who offers an offering to ...
/a/awakes.htm - 7k

Authority (326 Occurrences)
... does not fill the meaning of `authority'; which we never acknowledge till that which
speaks to us from another and a higher strikes home and wakes the echoes ...
/a/authority.htm - 69k

Offers (35 Occurrences)
... Malachi 2:12 Yahweh will cut off, to the man who does this, him who wakes and him
who answers, out of the tents of Jacob, and him who offers an offering to ...
/o/offers.htm - 17k

Answers (42 Occurrences)
... Malachi 2:12 Yahweh will cut off, to the man who does this, him who wakes and him
who answers, out of the tents of Jacob, and him who offers an offering to ...
/a/answers.htm - 17k

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