Watch Therefore and Pray Always

Watch Therefore and Pray Always

“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 21:36.

Jesus gives us a plain exhortation for the time in which we are living. In verse 31 He says that when we see these things happening, the kingdom of God is near. Then we must look up and lift up our heads, because our redemption is drawing near. V. 28.

Peter says that the end of all things is near, and now we are quickly approaching the end of the dispensation of grace. Each day of grace is precious and must be used to the best advantage. We must watch over our time, our words, and our actions.

God watches over the earthly Israel and over the spiritual Israel. They are at the center of all important events. War cannot break out unless God permits it, because He has an exact and carefully devised plan for everything He does. He both chastises and comforts in His love, but the end of it all is salvation and glory.

Jesus asks us to look at the fig tree and the other trees, and when they begin to blossom, we will know that summer is near. Israel, as well as many former colonies, has become independent. They are budding and blossoming. When we see this, the spiritual Israel must be prepared. Jesus cannot come until the number of the bride is complete and each individual in this bridal flock is fully ready. Peter exhorts us to look forward to this day and hasten its coming by holy conduct and godliness. 2 Pet. 3:11-14.

There is tremendous power and joy in anticipating the coming of Christ. He comes to fetch those who wait for Him. Heb. 9:28. “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” Isa. 40:31.

God comforts His people in Isaiah 40. This chapter was lying open before each of the 120 members of Parliament in Israel when Jerusalem was proclaimed the capital of the State of Israel in 1948. They had every reason to be comforted when they read this chapter. They were to cry out that all flesh is as grass, that the nations are as a drop in a bucket and are counted as the small dust on the balance. “All nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.” V. 17. Read this chapter and be comforted. Let us believe in the God of miracles. A small speck of dust cannot change God’s wise plan and counsel regarding the earth and the nations.

The only security for us is to be good friends with Him, and we can be that by doing what He commands us. John 15:14. We must be sure to be wholeheartedly along on God’s side in the battle against everything that has to do with sin and darkness. Then God will be for us—and who can then be against us? Rom. 8:31. If we are children of the light and of the day, then that Day will not come upon us like a thief. 1 Thess. 5:4-5.

Just as Noah was saved from the flood and Lot from the fire and brimstone that destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, so the saints will be saved from God’s wrath. After the bride has been raptured, there will be a terrible time of tribulation on earth. Jesus wants us to watch and pray so we can be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come over the earth. Jesus also says to the church in Philadelphia: “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.” Rev. 3:10. Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 1:10 “to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” Just think from what we will be spared by the fear of God and faithfulness, by watching and praying, and by keeping His word to persevere.

God is fighting with a mighty arm to prepare both the earthly and the spiritual Israel. It is interesting to be a guard on the rampart and see what the Lord will say to us. Hab. 2:1. The prophet stood there and rejoiced in the Lord with his stringed instrument. He was glad in the God of his salvation when he saw that He struck down all pride in the power of His might to save His people. God has shown an abundance of goodness, patience, and longsuffering to mankind, but when we read what the prophets wrote about the end times, we can see how zealous God is in His judgment over everything that is great, proud, vain, and arrogant. For example, read Isaiah 2 and 3.

In Isaiah 30:7 we read that Egypt is a boaster who sits still. God is angry with all these boasters, and we can note how it has gone with them throughout all ages. Goliath boasted of his own greatness and strength, whereas David was humble and exalted God’s name and strength. What David said to Goliath in those days we have also seen fulfilled in our days in the battle between Israel and the Arab countries. David said, “Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.” 1 Sam. 17:47.

About one of David’s mighty men it is written: “And he killed an Egyptian, a man of great height, five cubits tall. There was a spear like a weaver’s beam in the Egyptian’s hand; yet he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, and killed him with his own spear.” 1 Chron. 11:23. We can see that everything that savors of boasting and arrogance is condemned to perish.

The salvation of the Jews comes neither from the east nor from the west. Ps. 75:6. “He will come and save you.” Isa. 35:4.

“Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord! . . . Now the Egyptians are men, and not God; and their horses are flesh, and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out His hand, both he who helps will fall, and he who is helped will fall down; they all will perish together.” Isa. 31:1, 3.

Approximately one-third of the Jewish population was killed during World War II. In the war that we read about in Revelation 9:14-21, one-third of the entire population of the world will be killed. That will be approximately one billion people. Nevertheless, our safe refuge and fortress is in Christ. Let us therefore watch and pray so we can be preserved by being led by Christ who is our Head. Then God is for us. All things serve us for our good, and we will escape the time of wrath that will come over the earth. We will not escape tribulations and sufferings, for it is precisely through them that we are led to glory. 2 Cor. 4:17; Rom. 8:17; Heb. 2:10. While all this is happening, God’s grace and blessing will be over us. However, after the bride has been raptured, God’s grace will be withdrawn. We will be spared from the time of wrath that will then come if we have been watching and praying.

Let us stay on the way of the cross and self-denial; it is the way of transformation to all glory—a way that becomes brighter and brighter until noonday in the midst of an increasingly dark night around us!

We are to come together even more as we see the Day approaching to encourage one another to love and good works! If the time should come when it is no longer possible to meet together here, we will nevertheless meet with unspeakable and glorified joy in Jerusalem, which is above!