Be Vigilant and Be Diligent!

"Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour." - MATTHEW  25:13. 

In the last dialogue in the Bible, Jesus promised: "I am coming quickly." His apostle John replied: Amen! Come, Lord Jesus.  The apostle had no doubt that Jesus would come. John was among the apostles who had asked Jesus: "When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence [Greed, pa-rou-si'a] and of the conclusion of the system of things? Yes, John confidently looked forward to Jesus' future presence. REVELATION 22:20; MATTHEW 24:3.

Such confidence is rare nowadays. Many churches have an official doctrine about Jesus' "coming." but few of their members really expect it. They live accordingly. The book the Parousia in the New Testament notes: "There is little positive integration of the Parousia hope into the life, though and work of the church. . . . The intense urgency with which the church should undertake its tasks of repentance and of missionary proclamation of the gospel, is weakened if not entirely lost." But not to everyone!

Jesus' true disciples are eagerly awaiting the end of the present system of things. While loyally doing so, we need to keep the right outlook toward all that is involved in Jesus' presence and act accordingly. That will enable us to 'endure to the end and be saved.' (Matthew 24:13) In the course of giving the prophecy that we find in Matthew  chapters 24 and 25, Jesus provided wise advice that we can apply, to our last benefit. Chapter 26 contains parables that you likely know, including the one about ten virgins (the wise and foolish virgins) and the parables of the talents.  (Matthew 25:1-30) How can we benefit from those illustrations?

Next time: Be Vigilant and Be Diligent - Be Vigilant, as the Five Virgins Were! 

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