Jesus Christ’s disciples asked Him when He would return to Earth and rule it with the government of God. Christ answered them with His epic Olivet prophecy, recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21.

In Luke 21:36, Christ said: “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.”

Notice the emphasis on watching and praying. Christ was the greatest prophet who has ever been on Earth. And true Christians will understand what God reveals (Amos 3:7). A person who is following Christ will heed His admonition to watch world events.

Seeing prophecy unfold adds urgency to our prayer lives. A person who is really watching and praying is busy supporting God’s Work (Matthew 24:46). God’s people know that worsening world events means their redemption is drawing closer! (Luke 21:28).

Christ also gives a dire warning about those who do not watch and pray.

“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares” (verse 34).

Matthew 24:37-39 give more insight: “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Christ hearkened back to the history of Noah. In that time, most people were going about their business, unconcerned about what was about to befall them. They were sinning by eating and drinking and marrying in the wrong way—contrary to God’s laws.

That generation was so caught up in their sins that they were caught off guard by the flood that destroyed them!

Christ instructs us to not be caught off guard! Either we are watching world events and urgent in our prayers and support for God’s Work, or we are caught up in the cares of this life.

Tragically, most of God’s people have stopped watching and praying. The Laodiceans have the attitude of “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Revelation 3:17).

What does Christ say to them?

“I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see” (verse 18).

Christ wants His Church to see! He wants His people to watch and pray! God’s loyal Philadelphian remnant is doing just that!

There are so many prophetically significant events coming to pass in rapid succession! Heed Christ’s admonition to watch and pray!

Notice the encouragement Christ gives to those who are urgently supporting God’s Work. “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods” (Matthew 24:46-47).

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