Watch and Be Ready

From the series “The Commands of Christ — Love in Action”

“Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit… for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
— Luke 12:35, 40, NASB 1995

Jesus didn’t call us to guess the day—He called us to be ready every day.
This is the command not of a distant ruler, but of a loving Bridegroom who desires a faithful and prepared Bride.

To be ready is to live alert.
To stay dressed for action.
To keep your lamp burning—not just in moments of emotion, but in the daily rhythm of love, obedience, repentance, and prayer.

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“Now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”
— 1 John 2:28

We are not waiting in fear.
We are watching in faith.

But readiness is not passive. It is active.
It is the life of a servant whose hands are at the plow, whose oil is stocked, whose eyes are on the horizon, and whose heart beats with expectation.

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The early Church lived this way.
They believed Jesus could return at any moment, and they ordered their lives accordingly.
They were not obsessed with prophecy charts.
They were obsessed with holiness and perseverance.

The Epistle of Barnabas (c. AD 100):
“Let us be alert in the last days… that we may not be found sleeping, but walking in love and righteousness.”
— Ch. 4

The Shepherd of Hermas (2nd century):
“Blessed are those who endure in expectation of Him… who watch and do not let their garments be stained while they wait.”
— Similitude IX

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To obey this command is to:

• Stay awake spiritually
• Live with urgency
• Be faithful in the unseen moments
• Cast off distractions and worldliness
• Walk in the fear of the Lord
• Keep your oil full—not borrowed

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Jesus didn’t say, “Get ready when you see signs.”
He said, “Be ready, for you do not know the hour.”

Readiness is the test of love.
Those who love Him are waiting for Him.
Those who obey Him are preparing for Him.

This is not paranoia.
It’s devotion.

And it’s commanded.

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📚 Sources & References

Watch and Be Ready

Scripture (NASB 1995):

• Luke 12:35, 40 – “Be dressed in readiness… the Son of Man is coming…”
• 1 John 2:28 – “Remain in Him, so that when He appears…”

Ante-Nicene Sources:

• The Epistle of Barnabas, Ch. 4.
  “Let us be alert in the last days… walking in love and righteousness.”
  [Available at: EarlyChristianWritings.com]
• The Shepherd of Hermas, Similitude IX.
  “Blessed are those who endure… who watch and do not stain their garments.”
  [Available at: CCEL.org]

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