On Guard

Luke 21: 34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. 36 “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

(Observation) The day of the return of the “Son of Man” will come upon the earth “suddenly like a trap.” Jesus warns against allowing one’s heart to be “weighted down” by the world. He also advises prayer for strength to escape the calamities preceding his return and “to stand before the Son of Man.”

(Interpretation) Since all will stand for judgment when Jesus returns and since the day of His return has not been revealed to us we are to be prepared as if it will be today. It appears that whatever the distractions and temptations and worries, even calamities that we now face are, it will become worse as the day of His return approaches. Therefore we are to resist the things that will contribute to “dissipation.” As things get worse, we will surely appreciate His good advice to pray “for strength.” There will be no exception, all “men will have to give account on the day of judgment.”

(Cross-reference) Romans 14:10 …For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written “AS I LIVE, SAYS THE LORD, EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW TO ME AND EVERY TONGUE SHALL GIVE PRAISE TO GOD.” 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.

Revelation 22: 12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Matthew 12: 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 38 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Hebrews 10: 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Luke 10: 27 And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.”

(Application) I should live each day in expectation of his return, praying for endurance in well doing and Love for Him in heart, soul, strength, and mind; all the while looking forward to a perfect eternity with Him in heaven and all the more as I “see the day drawing near.”

What do you think? Are you better off eternally being “on guard” today even if His return does not materialize tomorrow, or the next day, or even next year?

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