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.
Matthew 24:42 (KJV): Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 24:43 (KJV): But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Matthew 25:13 (KJV): Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Mark 13:28-33 (KJV): 28 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near:
29 So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. 30 Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. 31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. 33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Mark 13:34 (KJV): For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Mark 13:35 (KJV): 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 13:37 (KJV): And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.
Luke 12:37 (KJV): 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.
Luke 12:39 (KJV): And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.
Luke 21:36 (KJV): 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.
