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CLOSER! “Take heed, watch and pray; for ye know not when the time is.” (Mark 13:33) Omega Watchfulness is here enjoined, but we know, nevertheless, that the time is, in fact, closer. In Greek (apodosis) is defined as the “end” as to which all the efforts one has put forward will be rewarded. Furthermore, the Greek word “Omega,” the last letter in the Greek alphabet portends of the closing or end, again. “And He said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.”(Rev 21:6). But, in Luke we read in 12:37, “Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching…” It is the sundown, nightfall, windup, culmination, nigh, quasi (Lat)… nearer – even closer! “An end is come, the end is come; it watcheth for thee; behold, it is come.” (Ezekiel 7:6). New Dark Age The year 2008 lies before us. Yet, the drowsy world is ready for the end. Sin is ripe, disasters are rampant, there’s a resurgence of rare ancient diseases, e.g. tuberculosis, HIV (AIDS), leprosy, etc. We are entering into a mad age, an angry age, and age of anxiety and uncertainty. It’s an age of detestable music, fashions, savage tribal markings (tattoos), vile affections against nature (homosexuality), abortion crisis, predators, preacher scandals, mega-churches, American idol worship, loathsome corruption, strife and envying, substance abuse–drugs, alcohol, and nicotine, depraved appetites (obesity), diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, etc. We see sinners going down into the depths of sin. In fact, we are entering a new dark age, living in the dark days of terror, and entering a period of moral anarchy. (Matt. 24, 2 Tim 3) Talking and Singing Well then, returning to our opening passage, we as the people of God must have a lot to say about “the waiting and watching time,” this watchfulness, if it is closer. Isn’t this so? It seems that we are more often talking about this time in our sermons and exhortations; advice, warnings, preparation, and trying to do what we think is proper or required in our earnest, yet often wavering minds. Ah! We enjoy, furthermore, singing about it in our hymns and spiritual songs and music. Then, too, we see it often written in the Gospel, testimonies, periodicals, and prayer week readings. Our Prayer Week has greater emphasis on it year-by-year. Our ordinary conversation seems to point to heavenly and eternal things… yes, watching and waiting. You see, “man cannot be a happy Christian unless he is a watchful Christian.” (8T108) Moreover, we are to “watch and work and pray as though this were the last day… granted us.”(5T 200) In fact, we profess to believe we are actually living in that time and have been for many years. Our laboring pioneers and hardy forefathers have been “waiting, and watching” also… and we are in the same position… even today! It “sometimes seems hard to wait patiently till God’s time comes to vindicate the righteous.” (3T 327). But, even so, “He watches over His children with a love that is measureless and everlasting.” (MH 482). Watch What? Well, this is all as a matter of fact, very well and fine; but, what is it to watch? What? Is it just to stand passively and squarely and look up to the clouds of heaven, or the stars, or as the disciples gazing upwards as Jesus ascended to Heaven? Is it to sit with our uncertain gaze directed outward, as one would follow the hands around the dial of his vigilant clock or watch? Is it, furthermore, to sit at the window and searchingly gaze at passersby as they pass by your house, as is the custom in many countries? No! No! No! It is more than this! In Matthew 24:42, we are admonished to watch in reference to the Lord’s coming… “Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” In the very next verse we have the illustration of the careless “goodman,” allowing the thief to break into his house. He should have watched, but failed. But, this means more than we can comprehend, more than simply keeping a “sharp lookout” for the thief. So, what else? In essence, it means “advance work”… doing something “before” the thief comes, making preparation beforehand. So it is in watching for the coming of the Lord. It is doing something in reference to that coming “before” it takes place. It is giving the preparatory warning and heeding it; the warning of the Third Angel’s Message, and the two preceding, and accessory or additional messages. Rev. 14:7-11; Rev. 18:1,2,4; Luke 12:37, in speaking of this time, say, “Blessed are those servants whom the Lord when He cometh shall find watching.” The disciples were ordered by an angel to return to Jerusalem and preach (watching-working) after Jesus ascended. Ready? An illustration is used here in Luke also. It is an event relating to an Oriental wedding. Luke 12-37. “I tell you the truth, He will dress himself to serve, and make them to recline at the table, and will come forth to serve them.” Peter, always asking questions, wanted to know of Jesus, the scope of the parable, to whom it referred… unto “us,” the twelve, or “even to all”? (v 41). The Lord applied it to those servants of His who shall be present at His coming; “It will be good for those servants whose Master finds them ready…” (v 38). He said, further, “Blessed is that servant when His Lord when He cometh shall find so “doing.” (v 43), i.e. giving the “household meat in due season.” (v 42). Watchfulness is essential to accomplish what God would have His people do. (CH 560). Working? So, here we find the warning, or admonition to “watch,” in Matthew, and the “blessing of watching.” In Luke we have reference to “doing something.” What, then is this “watching-doing?” Watching is the “gathering out” from the family of Adam, the “household” of the Kingdom, and warning, instructing, and disciplining it for the coming of its King! To watch, then, is to “work.” the ancient writer Horace said, “Life grants nothing to us mortals without hard work.” Moreover, and to such as “look”(watch) for Him shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Heb. 9:28). “A little period of watching remains.” (2T 192).”With watchfulness and prayer, their weakest points can become their strongest points.” (2T 511). So, dear brethren, it seems very clear from the Scriptures that to those only who watch, (work) for Him, will the Saviour appear, as a Saviour to bring them salvation. My brother, my sister… myself, what are we doing? Are we looking for the Lord in the right way? Are we giving meat (soul food), substance, meaning, gist to the true “household of the kingdom”, or just dreamily gazing into the sun-sweetened air? Mysterious New Year! “Many are on the verge of the Kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in.” (AA 109) Others are already on the way to the Kingdom, murmuring all the way there! But, admittedly, we are on the verge of the unknown. It is a testing time; a mysterious New Year, a time for surprises. Therefore, the Christian’s watch-word is, “Watch, pray, and work.”(GW 257) Watchfulness is the true life of faith.” (5T 235). “Therefore pray…” (Matt. 9:38) “Prayer is simple to us because it cost Jesus so much to make it possible.” Finally, make no backward movements, but let your watchword be: “Advance.”(6T 157). Leave behind the past year and be motivated to serve the Lord in the New Year. Make this a year that is dedicated to the Lord by practicing the things we know will dedicate that year to the Lord; preaching the gospel to the lost, warning those who are in error, exhorting those who are faithful. Also, to “proclaim the acceptable year of our Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God, and to comfort all who mourn.” (Isaiah 61:1-3). Unquestionably, it’s our further duty and privilege to preach the vision of the angel with the everlasting gospel… the Three Angel’s Message, the last warning message of God to mankind! (Rev. 14:6-12). Mind Set
Yet, set your mind on the things that are above. How? We’ve got to set our minds on the things of the Spirit! It takes an intentional will of effort and spiritual discipline! Even so, prayer is the battle! But, let’s consider Romans 8:6: “To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Are you seeking physical beauty or spiritual beauty? Don’t be intimidated by the powerful or awestruck by the famous, for “God despises the proud and uplifts the humble.” (Luke 1:52) You see, we must be a people of the Word to be a people of the Spirit. Consider Ephesians 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” The Prize! The Apostle Paul said, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 3:13-14) In Luke 9:62, Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.” Awesome words! Therefore, no more half-hearted commitments; they do not count! So, intentionally look ahead! Be focused on the future, on the prize! Press forward! As you anticipate and look forward to the New Year, do not get burdened or bogged down in your past failures and successes, but pray for a God-given desire to watch and work toward the future and to your future prize awaiting you in Heaven. But, “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1Cor 9:24) Hopeful Signs! Ah! But, we are waiting for a celestial “sign” from the Lord. Have you ever wondered that the Lord is waiting for a “sign” from you? You see, we are promised No tomorrow; for, ”Whereas ye know not what shall be on the next day. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (James 4:14) To be sure, do not be like the one talent man; the unprofitable servant! (Mathew 25:14-30) Or, be hindered, “ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Gal. 5:7) Instead, pray for a God-given desire to serve and work for the future! Have the vision of Isaiah, “Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I, send me.” (Isa. 6:7) Yes, the New Year, 2008 lies before us. We stand on the verge of the unknown. But, it is beaming brightly with newness, optimism, challenges, and full of opportunities that are going to become available to us which we have not had prior. Let’s not give place to Satan, but redeem each moment doing the Lord’s will, “redeeming the time for the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16) The old year is ended! Leave behind the past! Let’s nobly and energetically strive to make things happen, that we clearly know need to happen! “For if God is for us then who can be against us.”(Mathew 8:31) It’s CLOSER brethren! Let us truly abide in Him and grow in grace until we see Him face to face, for it will not be long until the resurrection, and then we will “ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:17) AMEN. John Theodorou
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