Something to Live For!

Because we do not know the exact time of His coming, Jesus has commanded us to watch. See Luke 12:37. Those who watch for the Lord’s coming are not waiting in idle anticipation. They are purifying their hearts by obedience to the truth. They combine vigilant watching with earnest working. Their zeal is stirred to cooperate with divine intelligences in working for the salvation of others. They are declaring the truth that has special application just now. As Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses each declared the truth for his time, so Christ’s servants now will give the special warning for their generation.HH 296.5

But Christ mentions another group: “If that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him.”HH 296.6

The evil servant does not say that Christ will not come. But by his actions and words he declares that the Lord’s coming is delayed. He banishes from the minds of others the conviction that the Lord is coming quickly. His influence confirms them in their worldliness and unconcern. Earthly passions, corrupt thoughts, take possession of the mind. The evil servant beats his fellow servants, accusing and condemning those who are faithful to their Master. He mingles with the world, and with the world he is caught in the trap. “The master of that servant will come ... at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites.”HH 297.1

The coming of Christ will surprise the false teachers. The day of God will come like a snare, like a prowling thief on all who make this world their home. Full of rioting, full of godless pleasure, the world is asleep in godless security. People laugh at warnings. “Tomorrow will be as today, and much more abundant.” Isaiah 56:12. We will go deeper into pleasure loving. But Christ says, “I am coming as a thief.” Revelation 16:15. When the scoffer has become shameless, when people follow the routine of money making without regard to principle, when the student is eagerly seeking knowledge of everything but his Bible, Christ comes as a thief.HH 297.2

The signs of the times are ominous. Coming events cast their shadows ahead of time. The Spirit of God is withdrawing from the earth, and calamity follows calamity. Where is security? There is assurance in nothing human or earthly.HH 297.3

There are those who are waiting, watching, and working for our Lord’s appearing. Another class are falling into line under the leadership of the first great apostate. The crisis is creeping gradually upon us. The sun shines in the heavens, following its usual circuit. People are still eating and drinking, planting and building. Merchants are still buying and selling. People are competing for the highest place. Pleasure lovers are crowding to theaters, horse races, gambling establishments. The highest excitement prevails, yet probation’s hour is quickly closing, and every case is about to be decided for eternity. Satan has set all his agencies at work to deceive people and keep them occupied and fascinated until the door of mercy is shut forever.HH 297.4

“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”HH 297.5