"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
1 Peter 4:7
“But the end of all things is at hand.”
Since the end of the first century, believers have been living in “the end times.” The New Testament writers have taught this truth throughout.
“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5:8).
Paul understood that the end times, these last days are dangerous times.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1).
Knowing that we are living in the end days, these “perilous times” what should be our attitude? To Fear? No way!
“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6).
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” (Romans 12:11).
“That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand” (2 Thessalonians 2:2).
Yes, end time living is filled with danger, but these are exciting times to be alive and to be serving the Lord! We do not live by fear, we live by faith!
Believers,
“Be ye, therefore, sober.”
Now is not the time to live with our head in the sand, like the proverbial ostrich. It is time to live soberly minded. This idea comes from two Greek words which mean, “be ye of sound mind”[1] (Vincent). Mark uses this idea to describe the formerly demon-possessed man who had lived among the tombs.
“And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid” (Mark 5:15).
Doesn’t this verse describe well a believer today?
- Sitting, no panic but resting in the Lord.
- Clothed, modestly, and in the righteousness of Christ.
- The right mind, the ability to think clearly and biblically.
Believers,
“And watch unto prayer.”
Our God has uniquely gifted His children with the ability to pray. We talk with our heavenly Father many times a day, asking for His strength, help, and wisdom. Knowing that as a loving Father, He wants what is best for us and that he has promised to provide for our needs. We thank Him always for his mercy and grace in our lives.
“Therefore” be serious . . . in your prayers: We must give ourselves to serious prayer. As we see the weight of eternity rushing towards us, we dare not take the need for prayer lightly”[2] (Guzik).
“Therefore be . . . watchful in your prayers: We must give ourselves to watchful prayer, primarily having our hearts and minds watching and ready for the return of Jesus Christ. But this also means watching ourselves and watching this world, measuring our readiness for Jesus’ coming”[3] (Guzik).
Yes, Jesus is coming back again, but we have much work to do before He gets here. Let’s continue to watch and pray.
[1] M.R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Guzik, David. David Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary, the electronic version in eSword.
[3] Guzik, ibid.