Mark 13:35  Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Mark 14:38  Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Luke 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

1 Corinthians 16:13  Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Luke 12:37  Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

“Watch!” It’s a word that echoes throughout the New Testament. We are told to be ready, to be alert, and to be found watching at all times. But what is the object of our gaze? What are we supposed to be looking for in a world full of distractions? It is more than just watching the news; it’s watching the clock of prophecy hit the midnight hour.

“Watch!” This command appears in Mark 13:35 and Mark 14:38 for two vital reasons. First, we watch because we don’t know the exact hour of the Master’s return, and we want to be found ready, not slumbering. Second, we watch and pray to stay alert to the spiritual traps and temptations around us. Strong’s Concordance defines “watch” as being awake, and in these end times, being “spiritually awake” is our best defense. If you are watching the signs and staying in the Word, you won’t be caught unawares. You’ll have the divine guidance you need to handle every trial with confidence.

grēgoreō: to be awake, to watch Original Word: γρηγορέω
Transliteration: grēgoreō
Phonetic Spelling: (gray-gor-yoo’-o)
Part of Speech: Verb
Short Definition: to be awake, to watch
Meaning: to be awake, to watch

Strong’s Concordance be vigilant, wake, be watchful.

From egeiro; to keep awake, i.e. Watch (literally or figuratively) — be vigilant, wake, (be) watch(-ful).

The command in Luke 21:36 to “watch” carries the weight of being on constant alert. It is a spiritual state of being where our hearts are so focused on the Lord’s return that we cannot be caught off guard. This verse uses the word “escape,” which is a perfect depiction of the Rapture: our exit before the global trial begins. If a believer falls into spiritual sleep, they lose that forward-leaning momentum and become complacent. We are called to be a people who never stop looking up, staying sleeplessly aware that our Bridegroom is at the door!

agrypneō: to be sleepless, wakeful Original Word: ἀγρυπνέω
Transliteration: agrypneō
Phonetic Spelling: (ag-roop-neh’-o)
Part of Speech: Verb
Short Definition: to be sleepless, wakeful
Meaning: to be sleepless, wakeful

We are told to stand firm in the faith and keep our guard up (1 Corinthians 16:13), especially against those who try to discourage our hope in the Rapture. Paul’s letters regarding the Rapture were written to provide comfort and edification to the Body of Christ. You won’t find that kind of peace in viewpoints that leave the Church to suffer through the Tribulation. The only reason we can truly “comfort one another with these words” is because the Church will be gone before the judgment begins. Our hope is a secure one!

1 Thessalonians 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5:11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

There is a specific, incredible blessing reserved for those found watching when the Master returns. Luke 12:37 tells us that Jesus will literally “gird himself” and serve those who were waiting for Him. This is the ultimate fulfillment of our hope! We are watching and waiting for the moment we sit down at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. As the Bride of Christ, we won’t just be guests; we will be the honored focus of His love as we feast together in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Friend, you must be born again in order to participate, no matter what viewpoint you hold. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!