Over the years of warning people that the LORD was coming soon and to get ready, I have been met with my share of naysayers, scoffers, saying, “What is soon?” So, for a long time I was usually shocked, like why would anyone, even Christians not want to be watching for JESUS? So usually I had no response….if I could turn back time, I know what I would say now.
I would say: We watch because it is mandate of GOD to watch as a Christian, with MANY scriptures that tell us to watch.
I would say: Watchers are also people who are preparing in holiness to be ready for WHO they are watching for and that’s part of why GOD mandates us to watch.
I would say: Watchers tend to be the Bride of CHRIST and what bride doesn’t watch for her groom?
I would say: The Bible says to watch BECAUSE no one knows the hour of the LORD’s return so BECAUSE we do not know that means we must watch.
I would say: How do you pursue someone if you don’t watch for them, in fact, you will be watching for something, and like Lot’s wife what are you watching for if not CHRIST?
I would say: My grandmother and father were watchers, and even though they didn’t live to see the rapture, they both would have faced GOD as “watchers” and so do you want to face the LORD as a non-watcher should you leave this life before the LORD returns?
I would say: The same things you need to be ready for the rapture are identical to the way GOD wants you to live your life anyway, no matter when the rapture takes place.
I would say: GOD set it up for the Christians to be mandated to watch. Why? Because watchers are focused on the LORD and being ready for HIS return and therefore, they are ready for ANY unexpected event that would cause them to stand before the LORD to give an account of their life including untimely death, unexpected life-threatening events, and unplanned accidental death.
I would say: Because we do not know the timing of CHRIST’s return we are mandated by scripture to watch and if someone believes that GOD’s removal of the church is sometime into the distant future when no one really knows the exact timing, that would technically be a form of date setting.
I would say: Steering others away from watching for the LORD is evil, causing others to be unprepared for “anything” that may cause them to be ready for any unexpected event that would put them in front of GOD whether rapture or for any other reason. How heartless is that? Every pastor should treat his congregation as if he may not see them in this life again not knowing what the future holds for them. Shame on these lukewarm pastors who pursue the world and not JESUS.
I would say: Why did JESUS say HIS coming would be soon, hundreds of years ago? Because when someone faces death or the coming of JESUS for HIS church if they are not ready, it will seem too soon to them at that moment.
