Jesus' Second Coming and the Importance of Watchfulness
Jesus' Second Coming and the Importance of Watchfulness
The concept of Jesus' Second Coming is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing the need for watchfulness among believers. Jesus himself taught about the importance of being prepared for his return, as seen in Mark 13:33, where he exhorts his followers to "watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don't know when the time is" [2]. This theme is echoed in various New Testament passages, including Matthew 24:43 and 1 Thessalonians 5:6.
The biblical basis for watchfulness is closely tied to the uncertainty of the timing of Jesus' return. The Scriptures repeatedly stress that the exact time of his coming is unknown [1, 5]. In Matthew 24:36, Jesus states that "no one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." This uncertainty underscores the need for constant vigilance.
The early Christian church emphasized watchfulness as a key aspect of faith. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to be "alert and sober" in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, while 1 Peter 4:7 advises to be "of sound judgment and sober spirit" for the sake of prayer [3]. The importance of watchfulness is also highlighted in Revelation 3:2, where Jesus commands the church in Sardis to "be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die" [4].
Theological traditions have consistently interpreted Jesus' teachings on watchfulness as a call to spiritual readiness. According to John Gill, the parables in Matthew 24 and 25 emphasize the need for believers to be prepared for Jesus' return, highlighting the importance of faithful obedience during the delay of his second coming [5, 8]. Charles Hodge notes that Jesus' second coming is to be personal and visible, just like his ascension, as indicated by the angels in Acts 1:11 [7].
The patristic tradition also underscores the significance of watchfulness. Lactantius, an early Christian author, writes that believers should be ready for the Lord's coming, as they do not know the hour of his arrival [6]. Athanasius of Alexandria similarly encourages believers to search the Scriptures and look forward to the Second Advent and Judgment [9].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Second Coming of Christ, The — Time of, unknown -- Mt 24:36; Mr 13:32. Called the Times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. -- Ac 3:19. Times of restitution of all things. -- Ac 3:21; Ro 8:21. Last time. -- 1Pe 1:5. Appearing of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:7. Revelation of Jesus Christ. -- 1Pe 1:13. Glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour. -- Tit 2:13. Coming of the day of God. -- 2Pe 3:12. Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. -- 1Co 1:8. Foretold by Prophets. -- Da 7:13; Jude 1:14. Himself. -- Mt 25:31; Joh 14:3. Apostles. -- Ac 3:20; 1Ti 6:14. Angels. -- A”
- Mark “Watch, keep alert, and pray; for you don’t know when the time is. -- Mark 13:33”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Watchfulness — Christ an example of -- Mt 26:38,40; Lu 6:12. Commanded -- Mr 13:37; Re 3:2. Exhortations to -- 1Th 5:6; 1Pe 4:7. God especially requires in ministers -- Eze 3:17; Isa 62:6; Mr 13:34. Ministers exhorted to -- Ac 20:31; 2Ti 4:5. Faithful ministers exercise -- Heb 13:17. Faithful ministers approved by -- Mt 24:45,46; Lu 12:41-44. Should be With prayer. -- Lu 21:36; Eph 6:18. With thanksgiving. -- Col 4:2. With steadfastness in the faith. -- 1Co 16:13. With heedfulness. -- Mr 13:33. With sobriety. -- 1Th 5:6; 1Pe 4:7. At all times. -- Pr 8:34. In all thin”
- King James Version “[KJV] Revelation 3:2 — Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 24:43: Therefore be ye also ready,.... Or prepared for the coming of the son of man; which as it is said to be like a thief in the night, expresses the suddenness of it, may excite to watchfulness and readiness; which readiness is to be understood, not of a readiness to do the will and work of God, though this is absolutely necessary; as to watch and pray, to hear the word preached, to confess Christ, and give a reason of the hope that is in us, to communicate to the support of the cause and interest of Christ, and to suffer for his sake; but of a preparedness to meet the ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 7: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius — CHAP. XVI.(1)--WATCHFULNESS; THE COMING OF THE LORD.: 1 Watch for your life's sake.(2) Let not your lamps be quenched, nor your loins unloosed;(3) but be ye ready, for ye know not the hour in 2 which our Lord cometh.(4) But often shall ye come together, seeking the things which are befitting to your souls: for the whole time of your faith will not profit you,(5) if ye be not made 3 perfect in the last time. For in the last days(6) false prophets and corrupters shall be multiplied, and the sheep shall be turned into wolves, and”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 86: invisible, until God shall send him at the restitution of all things. 2. In many places it is directly asserted that his appearing is to be personal and visible. At the time of his ascension, the angels said to his disciples: “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” ( Acts i. 11 .) His second coming is to be as visible as his ascension. They saw Him go; and they shall see him come. In Matt. xxvi. 64 , i”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 24:41: Watch therefore,.... Since the time of this desolation is so uncertain, and since it will come upon the Jews unawares, and some wilt escape, whilst others perish; for the words are plainly an inference from what precedes, and clearly relate to things going before, and are not a transition to a new subject: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come; to avenge himself of the unbelieving Jews, and fulfil what he in person, and by his apostles, had predicted and warned them of: though I will not deny, but that what follows may be much better accommodated and appli”
- CCEL (Patristic) “Athanasius of Alexandria, Select Works and Letters, section 153: §56. Search then, the Scriptures, if you can, and so fill up this sketch. Learn to look for the Second Advent and Judgment. Let this, then, Christ-loving man, be our offering to you, just for a rudimentary sketch and outline, in a short compass, of the faith of Christ and of His Divine appearing to usward. But you, taking occasion by this, if you light upon the text of the Scriptures, by genuinely applying your mind to them, will learn from them more completely and clearly the exact detail of what we have said. 2. For they were s”