After describing what events were to happen before his Second coming, Christ said:
“So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matt. 24:33, 42.
God has always warned men before bringing judgment upon them. Whoever believed in his message and evidenced his faith by his works was saved from the judgment that was poured out upon the ungodly and the unbelieving. God said to Noah:
“And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.” Gen. 7:1.
Noah surrendered and he was saved. The message came to Lot:
“Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city.” Gen. 19:14.
Lot came under the protection of his divine Leader and was saved. The disciples of Christ were also warned before the destruction of Jerusalem. Those who watched for the signs of the coming disaster and left the city escaped for their life.
In the same way today the message of Christ’s coming is being proclaimed and people are being warned about the desolation which is going to come upon the world. Whoever gives heed to this warning message will be saved. And because we do not know the time of Christ’s coming, we are admonished to stay awake and watch.
“Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” Matt. 24:46.
And whoever waits for the coming of the Lord does not stay idle during this time.
All who wait for the Lord have their hearts cleansed through submission to the truth. Their constant expectation they combine with their unceasing labor. Because they know that the Lord is near, even at the door, and they seek to work more diligently and in full accordance with God’s word to save people from destruction.
They are those faithful and wise servants who in their Lord’s home do their part in time and who proclaim the truth that has special significance for our time. Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses proclaim the truth needed for their days. In the same way, Christ’s servants are giving warning to the present generation.
The evil servant said in his heart:
“My lord delayeth his coming...” Matt. 24:4.
He did not say that his lord would not come at all. He did not doubt the possibility of Christ’s coming. But through his heart, his words, and his actions he announced: The lord delays his coming. By this, he robs others of their faith that the Lord will come soon and leads them to be careless and worldly. Their attention is engulfed in worldly lusts and sinful thoughts. The evil servant eats and drinks with the drunkards and gathers with the corrupt ones. He smites his fellow servants and he accuses and slanders the faithful servants before their Lord. He mingles with the world. The like gather together for evil doing and thus all become more and more worldly, entrapped in the snares of Satan.
“The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him… and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites...” Matt. 24:50.
Everything in the world is in unparalleled confusion. The events that are to follow cast their shadow before the time when they should take place. God’s Spirit is being withdrawn more and more from the earth. Who can guess the future? Where can we find assurance? There is nowhere to seek either for worldly or for human help. People are taking their place under the banner they have chosen.
Others are waiting, watching, and working for the coming of the Lord. Still others are enlisting themselves under the banner of Satan – the great deceiver. Few are those who believe that “today is the day of salvation” from everlasting destruction and for winning Heaven.
The great crisis is coming upon us. Men are eating and drinking, sowing, building and marrying, merchantmen are buying and selling, and people are striving for the highest position.
The pleasure-seekers are crowding in the theaters, sports races, and game clubs. The highest excitement bears sway while probation is fast nearing its close and every individual is being led to make a decision. Satan recognizes that he has but a short time and he has put to use all his weapons to deceive men, to blind them, to distract their attention from the truth, and lull them to sleep while probation is closing and the door will be shut forever.
“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:36.
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