Keep watch for the signs
Jesus said we won’t know what day he will return. But He told us to keep watch and He gave us some signs to watch for.
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matt. 24:42)
“But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.” (1 Thess. 5:4 ESV)
So what are we to recognize and watch for?
Four things: Terrible times, deceptive times, disabling times, and demonic times; all happening at the same time! Let’s look at them.
TERRIBLE times
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God — having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5 NIV)
DECEPTIVE times
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” (1 Tim. 4:1 NIV)
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt. 24:4-14 KJV)
DISABLING times
“Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” (Matt. 24:11-12 NKJV)
“For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so 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 eat with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:17-20 ESV)
DEMONIC times
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:10-12 NIV)
Therefore…
Be ready, keep watch, be busy, be encouraged, and also encourage one another .
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)
“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” (Luke 21:28 KJV)
“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Col. 3:4 ESV)
“Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:17 ESV)
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thess. 5:11 ESV)
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Cor. 15:58 ESV)