Chapter 37—Watch Therefore

BIBLE GEM

“Watch therefore—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Watch.”—Mark 13:35-37, R.S.V.CWG 90.1

QUESTION

What is meant by our Saviour's admonition to “watch”? What are some of the things we are to watch or guard against?CWG 90.2

ANSWER

Keep looking up: “A company was presented before me.... They were waiting and watching. Their eyes were directed heavenward, and the words of their Master were upon their lips: ‘What I say unto you, I say unto all, Watch.’ ”—Testimonies For The Church 2:192CWG 90.3

“I saw that it was impossible to have the affections and interests engrossed in worldly cares, to be increasing earthly possessions, and yet be in a waiting, watching position, as our Saviour has commanded.”—Testimonies For The Church 2:193CWG 90.4

Watch the first symptom: “Watch, brethren, the first dimming of your light, the first neglect of prayer, the first symptom of spiritual slumber.”—Testimonies For The Church 4:124CWG 90.5

Watch your habits: “Watch against old habits and natural inclinations, lest they assert themselves; force them back, and watch.”—Testimonies For The Church 6:410CWG 90.6

Other things to watch: “Watch, lest you should speak hastily, fretfully, and impatiently. Watch, lest pride should find a place in your heart. Watch, lest evil passions should overcome you, instead of you subduing them. Watch, lest ... you ... become light and trifling, and your influence savor of death, rather than life.”—The Faith I Live By, 224CWG 90.7

Watch for opportunities: “Watch over the souls whom Christ has purchased with His own blood. Watch for opportunities to do them good.”—Testimonies For The Church 6:410CWG 91.1

Watch unto prayer: “We are to pray and watch unto prayer, that there may be no inconsistency in our lives. We must not fail to show others that we understand that watching unto prayer means living our prayers before God, that He may answer them.”—Selected Messages 1:116, 117CWG 91.2

Be ready for Christ's coming: “We should watch and work and pray as though this were the last day that would be granted us. How intensely earnest, then, would be our life. How closely would we follow Jesus in all our words and deeds.”—Testimonies For The Church 5:200CWG 91.3

“ ‘Pray always;’ that is, be ever in the spirit of prayer, and then you will be in readiness for your Lord's coming.”—Testimonies For The Church 5:235CWG 91.4

SUMMARY AND PRAYER THOUGHT

When we have set our spiritual standards by the people around us or by our peers and we do not sense or feel a need for a closer and more intimate walk with the good Lord and we think that our lifestyle is acceptable and accepted by the Lord as is in our present degraded or low spiritual condition, then we become spiritually deceived by ourselves and misled by Satan.CWG 91.5

I recently visited a Christian home where usually when I come the TV is on and programs are watched continuously. There is no regular daily morning and evening worship. They go to church once a week and they think they have done their religious duties. They sense no need of spiritual awakening and to spend an hour or two on their knees alone with God in prayer in preparation for eternal life. We need to examine ourselves and see if we are still in harmony with God's will. If Jesus came today, are we sure that we are ready in our present spiritual condition?CWG 91.6

Precious Father, please help us to watch, pray, and prepare for the second coming of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.CWG 91.7