Jesus, Yeshua, the Messiah, God incarnate, has commanded us over and over to watch! Just maybe it's important?
Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.
1 Thessalonians 5:6
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Matthew 24:42-44
Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming - in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning - lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
Mark 13:35-37
Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
Revelation 3:3
What is the imperative antithesis of this? If we will watch, we will know! Why would God tell us to watch for something that we cannot see?
Paul expected the church to be able to see the signs and know.
...but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25b
And what of those who do not watch? Is it possible to have 'professed with your mouth' that Jesus is your saviour and ultimately have eternal life, but to be disobedient and slack, and miss His miraculous protection?
But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 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.
Luke 21:34-36
Hmmm... 'Pray always that you may be counted worthy.' Is He talking to unbelievers? No. It could be a painful mistake to assume that you will be taken in the Rapture just because you have eternal fire insurance.
And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Revelation 3:14-21
To the obedient church in Philadelphia He said 'I have set before you an open door' but to the Laodiceans He said 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock.' The 'knocking' verse is commonly used to call new believers but He said this to the church! It is my opinion that those that are vomited are not cast into hell but left in the Tribulation for chastisement.
If you are not walking with God, if you are being disobedient to what He is asking of you, or if you are lukewarm in your faith and actions, then you just may be left here to be chastised in the Tribulation!
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Revelation 3:10
Only one church out of the seven was given that message.
If you are asleep - wake up! If you are lukewarm - light a fire and join the Philadelphian church!
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