Why Watch?

        This is a word of preparation given at a recent Chronos Ministry weekly meeting. Several times when Jesus taught His disciples about His second coming He told them  to “watch therefore.” We know that no word or phrase in Scripture is by chance. So there has to be something to see in this warning. Was there something they had to do to make sure they received the promises of eternal life in Him, other than accepting Him by faith as the Anointed Son of God and Savior? Could they blow it somehow, messing up their relationship with Christ, and lose this promise?
        No, because that would mean returning to the Old Covenant based on our works. That idea violates God’s Word as given in Rom. 23:23-25 (emphasis added). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,  being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
            We certainly recognize that no believer is perfect on this side of Heaven. Thankfully, our blessed hope includes being perfected and fully conformed to Christ’s image when we are gathered to Him at the rapture, at the dawn of the last Day. Rom. 8:29 affirms that this perfection is our destiny because we are in Christ. “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Yet we also know that we are to grow in our knowledge and application of God’s truths in our daily lives  so we can be true lights in this darkened world (2 Pet. 1; 2 Pet. 3:18).
           This is why Paul wrote in Rom. 12:1-2 to “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” This observable change in our lifestyle from darkness to light comes about as we walk in God’s ways, testifying to His power and the leading of the Holy Spirit within us.
           This walk of faith and transformation is why God rewards a seeker (Heb. 11:6). Sadly, many of our churches in these last Days have become seeker-friendly in the wrong way, focusing on what will draw in converts rather than equipping them with the essential truths needed by a disciple of Christ.         Given the grace that abounds to us as believers, why would God put what seem like stipulations concerning the last Day, such as watch and be eagerly awaiting our Lord’s return?
          For one thing, to encourage us to know for sure that we are saved. For another thing, we don’t want to run and hide like Adam and Eve did when God scrolls back the heavenly realm and the whole world sees Jesus return to gather us at the rapture. We can rest assured that Jesus knows those who are His (2 Tim. 2:19), such that we can rejoice with joy unspeakable rather than mourn that moment of glory.
            Another reason is given in 1 Jn. 4:17. “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.” When we understand our Lord’s loving sacrifice of dying for us even while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5:8), we can rest assured in the hope of our calling (Eph. 1:18). That is, to be seated as the heavenly court with Him as joint-heirs. Our heart need not condemn us for the Holy Spirit is within us to guide us into all truths (1 Jn. 3:20-21).
           In a sense, this message is why God raised up Chronos Ministries with a message of comfort, hope, and victory, such that the people’s consciousness should come alive, especially now concerning the baptism of the Spirit with tongues.
            “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him” (1 Jn. 2:27-29).           
           Notice it doesn’t say we act righteous in every moment, which is impossible. Instead, we practice the righteousness we have in Christ in the same way we are being transformed by His Word and renewing our minds to the reality of being “in Christ.”