Awake and Alert
Revelation 15-18
“’Behold, I come like a thief! Bessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he will not go naked and be shamefully exposed.’”
Revelation 16:15
The return of Jesus, anticipated by the Church for 2000 years, will come when we least expect him - like a thief in the middle of the night. The spiritual slumber of our lives dulls us to living in the light of Christ’s return and eternity. The clothing for the wedding banquet to which Christ invites us, is his righteousness. Living alert and spiritually awake means that we seek first Christ’s kingdom and his righteousness, and actively resist the entanglements of sin. At Christ’s arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, one of the disciples lost his clothing and fled the scene naked. John remembered being unable to stay awake, watch, and pray with Jesus that night. He remembered how weak the body is without the power of the Holy Spirit.
Are we spiritually alert, clothed with the Lord Jesus Christ and his righteousness?
For those who are in Christ, they will cooperate with his end-time purposes, rather than being surprised by his return.
What is God’s invitation to us as we anticipate Christ’s return?
“Lord Jesus, you are my readiness; I pray for spiritual alertness, anticipating your return, for your glory.”