“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” — Matthew 24:42 (ESV)
Living Ready in the Last Days
Prophecy has always stirred the hearts of believers. It reminds us that God is in control of history and that His plan will unfold exactly as He intends. It gives us hope that Jesus will soon return to set all things right.
But prophecy is not given to satisfy curiosity. It’s meant to inspire faithfulness. Jesus’ command to “stay awake” calls us to live each day prepared for His return, not to predict when it will happen. (Matthew 24:42–44)
We live in a time when many try to chart timelines for the rapture or the tribulation. Yet, the focus of Scripture is not the “when,” but the Who. The wise believer studies prophecy to know Christ more deeply and to live ready for His appearing.
Knowing the Signs Without Losing Sight of the Savior
Jesus listed signs of the end times – wars, famines, earthquakes, deception, and persecution (Matthew 24:6–13) – not so we could calculate dates, but so that we would endure with faith. He warned that many would fall away because their love would grow cold.
It’s essential to recognize the signs, but never to let them overshadow the Savior. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day knew the Scriptures, yet they missed the Messiah standing before them (John 5:39–40). They expected a conquering Lion, not a suffering Lamb (Isaiah 53:3–7; Revelation 5:5–6).
That same danger exists today. We can study prophecy and still miss the Person it points to. Prophecy should lead us to a deeper love for Christ, not a fascination with charts. To live ready means walking daily in obedience – confessing sin, forgiving quickly, and serving faithfully.
The Danger of Forced Timelines
When Jesus’ disciples asked about the timing of His kingdom, He answered, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority.” (Acts 1:7)
Trying to force a timeline from incomplete events often leads to confusion and disappointment. History is full of failed predictions that have discouraged believers and damaged the credibility of the Church.
Jesus redirected His followers away from speculation and toward mission: “You will be My witnesses.” (Acts 1:8) That command remains the same today. Our role is not to guess when Jesus will return, but to help others be ready when He does.
Prophecy was never meant to stir fear – it was meant to strengthen faith. When we stay focused on our calling, we can wait with peace instead of panic.
Readiness in a World of Distraction
In a culture overflowing with distraction and division, Jesus’ words remain simple and steady: “Watch and pray.” (Mark 13:33; Luke 21:36)
To live ready in today’s world means silencing the noise and focusing on God’s Word. It means letting Scripture interpret current events, not the other way around. When we stay rooted in the truth, we can recognize the signs without fear.
Living ready also means enduring hardship with faith. Jesus said, “The one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:13) Endurance is not passive – it’s active obedience. It’s forgiving others, speaking truth in love, and trusting God when life feels uncertain.
When Jesus returns, He’s not looking for people who predicted the right date – He’s looking for those who remained faithful. Every act of service, every quiet prayer, every sacrifice for His name’s sake is part of living ready.
Waiting with Hope, Working with Purpose
The early Church lived with urgency because they truly believed Jesus could return at any moment. Their faith was fueled by hope, not fear. Paul described this posture as “waiting for our blessed hope – the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)
Waiting, in the biblical sense, is not idle – it’s active. We wait by working. We watch by worshiping. We prepare by proclaiming the gospel. Even if Jesus doesn’t return in our lifetime, readiness shapes who we are every day.
Living ready keeps our hearts soft, our priorities straight, and our focus on eternity. It helps us use our time wisely – investing in relationships, encouraging others, and shining the light of Christ in dark places. (Ephesians 5:15–16; Philippians 2:14–16)
A Call to Return to Watchfulness
Jesus warned in Revelation 16:15: “Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake.” To stay awake spiritually means being alert to temptation, open to conviction, and ready to act when God calls.
The wise believer stays watchful and discerning. They refuse to follow every new theory or prediction but instead test everything against Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:20–21). They know the signs of the times but keep their eyes on the Lord of the times.
When darkness increases, that’s our cue to shine brighter. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:14–16) The darker it gets, the more visible the light becomes. Living ready means we don’t hide – we stand firm, proclaim truth, and trust that His return will be right on time.
A Closing Prayer
Father, help us live ready. Teach us to walk in humility and faith, to keep our hearts pure and our eyes fixed on You. Guard us from distraction and pride. Help us recognize the signs of Your coming without losing sight of Your presence today.
Fill us with boldness to share Your Word, compassion to serve others, and endurance to stay faithful. We long for the day when Jesus returns in power and glory. Until then, keep us steady, hopeful, and watching. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Spread the Gospel; lives depend on it!
I pray, MARANATHA! (Come Quickly, Lord Jesus!)
Your brother in Christ,
Duane
Read all of our Principles for Christian Living in the Last Days
Read the Bible Online – We recommend:
The ESV (English Standard Version) for reading
The NASB (New American Standard Bible) for in-depth study
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