“But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mar 13:32-37 KJV)
All my life I have wondered why people are so concerned with the time the Lord will return. Despite the fact that Jesus said, “Only the Father knows the day and the hour” people continue to predict dates. The only evidence given to us is: The world will be in the same condition “as it was in the days of Noah and Lot” (Mt. 24:37-38 & Lu. 17:26-27).
The conditions that existed in the antediluvian and Sodomite societies were as follows: continual eating & drinking corresponds to revelry and party-style festivities; continual marrying & given in marriage corresponds to sensual appetites and perpetuating their present state; continual commerce corresponds to an affectation for economic wealth; such conditions were evidence that there was no concern for future judgment or accountability.
In today’s passage, our Lord’s concern is that his disciples would be concerned and personally prepared for the day and the hour when He would return for them. So the immediate message is: do not watch the clock, but watch your soul. Prepare your soul by prayer and careful preservation, then you will not be surprised when “that day and that hour” arrives.
Dear Father, thank you for your grace through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Grant to us the spiritual fortitude that we may be ready for our Lord’s return and not found sleeping. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in your watching and praying,