WATCH

 “Be on guard! Be alert!  You do not know when that time will come. It’s like a man going away:  He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

 “Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn.  If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch’” – (Mark 13:33-37 NIV).

MEN, in this chapter Jesus warns his disciples of some futuristic events that were certain to occur, and in warning them of future events, Jesus also speaks to their present tense and exhorts them TO BE ON GUARD, TO BE WATCHFUL!  

Not only does Jesus exhorts his immediate gathering of disciples to be ON GUARD and WATCHFUL, but JESUS also exhorts YOU too!  Verse 37 once again reads, “What I say to you, I say to EVERYONE:  WATCH!” 

Why watch, why be on guard?  In essence, why be ROOTED in the WORD OF GOD and JESUS CHRIST?  It’s right there in the whole of chapter thirteen—- because wicked people will attempt to deceive and seek to divide.  In addition, the disasters, desolation, distress, and most critical of all—- because the owner, the MASTER of the house, is COMING BACK!

Brothers, in order for you to flourish in an environment where so much evil is present, and not only present but appears to be prevailing, you must be in a continuous state of readiness.  Therefore, be ROOTED in JESUS CHRIST and HIS WORD.