WATCH

by Tammy Phillips
September 20, 2020

WARNING:  Most, if not every crisis is preceded by some sort of warning.

At baseball games, we hear, “heads up,” which means a foul ball, potential danger is headed our way.  On the golf course we hear, “FORE!” Fore is a term used to warn that a golf ball is moving in our direction.  Our stomachs growl alerting us that it is time to eat.  Thunder booms warning that anyone outside is in striking distance of a storm.  Tornadoes are announced by the sound of a loud roar, like a freight train.  Police, firemen, and ambulance drivers let us know they are coming by flipping on the ominous sirens.  The loss of a friend or loved one, warns of the brevity and preciousness of life.

The word of God clearly tells us to watch, maybe… just maybe, we should listen!  Let’s slowly, look carefully at the treasure hidden inside grēgoreō, the Greek word for…

WATCH:

• Pay strict attention to
• Be cautious
• To keep awake
• Be vigilant
• Be awake
• Be watchful

Do we hear the sirens going off?  Do we here God yelling “fore?”  What warning signs are we missing or ignoring?  Look at these 15 encouragements’:

WATCH: WE DON’T KNOW WHEN JESUS WILL RETURN

1. “WATCH therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. (Matthew 24:42 NKJV)

    

2. “WATCH therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. (Matthew 25:13 NKJV)

    

3. “Take heed, WATCH and pray; for you do not know when the time is. (Mark 13:33 NKJV)

    

4. “WATCH therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming–in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning– (Mark 13:35 NKJV)

WATCH WITH JESUS

5. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and WATCH with Me.” (Matthew 26:38, Mark 14:34 NKJV)

    

6. Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What? Could you not WATCH with Me one hour? (Matthew 26: 40, Mark 14:37 NKJV)

WATCH AND PRAY TO AVOID THE TEMPTATION TO SIN

7. “WATCH and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak.” (Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38 NKJV)

    

WATCH AND PRAY ALWAYS AND IN ALL THINGS

8. “WATCH therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36 NKJV)

    

9. Continue in prayer, and WATCH in the same with thanksgiving; (Colossians 4:2 KJV)

    

10. But WATCH thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. (2 Timothy 4:5 KJV)

     

11. But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and WATCH unto (1 Peter 4:7 KJV)
    

WATCH! WATCH!

12. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others [do], but let us WATCH and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6 NKJV)

     

13. Be sober, WATCH, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8 KJV)

     

Did you know that the Greek word for sober, nēphō, means: calm and collected, not drunk, but it also implies to watch? The prior verses are saying, “WATCH! WATCH!”

I encourage you to:

15. WATCH, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. (1 Corinthians 16:13 NKJV) #RESOLUTE2020- Do not be lulled by the world. It is a shame that God feels like he has to warn us so many times to watch, yet so many Christians do not listen to His OMNIPOTENT WARNINGS.  We cannot be included in that group. 
16. “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not WATCH, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” (Revelation 3:3 KJV)
    (Look at the signs in Matthew 24:4-14 KJV; Mark 13:5-13 KJV;

    Luke 21:8-19 KJV)