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Author: Stephen Weller
663 words, 4 minutes read time

Be Prepared

Scripture: Matthew 24:42; Mark 13:33-37

With the previous lesson we finished a section about the end days being like the days of Noah and Lot. We also raised some questions concerning the time of the rapture to think about. With this lesson we will cover a short section in which we are instructed to stay alert and be prepared for the return of the Son of Man.

^{Mk 13:33} Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.

This is the fourth time in this chapter that Jesus has warned his disciples. In verses 5 – 6, Jesus said, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray.”; in verse 9, he said, “But be on your guard. For they will deliver you over to councils, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them.”; in verses 22 – 23, we read, “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.”; and then verse 33, “Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.” These warnings indicate a time of deception, a time of persecution and a time of suffering, and will occur unexpectedly.

^{Mk 13:34} It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. ³⁵ Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— ³⁶ lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.

Back in Section 175, of our study, we covered the parable of the wicked tenants, which contained similar elements to this illustration Jesus gives. Jesus is the man who went on a journey when he ascended into heaven. The home he leaves is earth and the servants he put in charge are you and me. The work assignment was made in Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) at the time of our salvation: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” We are to do our work and stay awake, or alert, because we don’t know when he will return.

^{Mk 13:37} “And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake. ^{Mt 24:42} for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”

What Jesus has been saying to his disciples he is saying to all; he is saying to us and those who will come after us. Again, Jesus makes it clear that no one can know or will know the day of his return, and if anyone says they have figured it out and know, don’t listen to them because they really don’t know.

Conclusion

The more time I spend with Jesus and study what he taught, I find that I have little interest in defending any position concerning the rapture. Jesus commissioned the church to search for lost sheep, disciple them and together go and find more until they are all found. When that last one is found our work here is complete and any believers who are still alive will be taken up to be with the Lord. This is only an opinion, but this seems to occur at Revelation 14:14 – 16 based on what Jesus has taught us so far. You might also look at Revelation 16:15. One of my readers pointed this verse out to me.