Jesus Christ warned His disciples to watch and to pray, because the end of this world will come suddenly. We are much closer now to the end of the world than the day when Jesus said this ( Mark 13:33-37 ). Unfortunately, while we are supposed to be watching, many are sleeping. The days we are now in can be likened to those of Noah. The Bible says in Matthew 24:38: For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark. Until the day the trumpet will sound and our Lord Jesus Christ will take His saints away, many people in this world will be eating and drinking, appearing to be having fun though they are on the way to eternal damnation.

This is very dangerous, and coming from the mouth of the Lord Jesus, it ought to get us all on our knees, pleading for help. The night of this world is far spent, the Day of the Lord is almost here. Anyone who isn’t watching will not go with the Lord. I pray you will be found watching when the Lord returns, in Jesus’ name.

Some years ago, a man of God came to visit his friend here in Nigeria. After spending a couple of days observing the comfort and prosperity in which this man was living and the kind of sermons he was preaching, he said to his friend, “It does not appear as if you are expecting the Lord to return”. Are we really preparing for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ?

In Matthew 25:1-13, we read the story of the ten virgins. Five of them were wise and five of them foolish. The foolish ones did not take extra oil for their lamps while the wise ones did. When the announcement was made that the bridegroom was around, the foolish virgins hurriedly wanted to start preparing, but it was too late. You cannot start preparing after Jesus has returned.

You have to be found prepared when He returns. Don’t sleep the sleep of death! Watch and pray, because you do not know when He will return. I pray in the name of Jesus that you will not be left behind.

by Pastor E.A. Adeboye