"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
1 Peter 4:7
In this text, Peter is warning believers how to live in a way that will honor Jesus Christ.
“But the end of all things is at hand:”
For those living, in the end times, need to pay special attention. We must remember that after Christ returned to heaven and the disciples began their mission, in their minds, the “end times” had begun. Peters phrase “is at hand” comes from an interesting Greek word that literally means, “has come near.” [1]
John the Baptist used the same word to describe Jesus’ coming the first time.
“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2).
James used this term for Jesus’ second coming.
“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5:8).
The writer of Hebrews uses this word to remind us why we need to worship together regularly as the time of Jesus return is getting closer.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
We do not know when Jesus will return, but obviously, His return is much closer today than it was in Peter’s day. Be ready!
“Be ye therefore sober,”
Because the end is quickly approaching, we need to be “sober.” Peter uses a word that is a double word, “sound” and “mind.” This is the same word used of the formerly demon-possessed man that Jesus healed.
“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).
Where once he was an out of control demoniac, living in the tombs, now he is in his “right mind.” He can use his mind and live for Jesus Christ.
According to Peter, before Jesus saved us, we lived lives of evil, and out of control.
“For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).
But, in these last days, Jesus would have us, His children, be in our “right minds,” “self-restrained,” and in control of ourselves as we serve Him and await His return. He came to earth the first time as our Savior, He will return as the Judge.
“Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead” (1 Peter 4:5).
“And watch unto prayer.”
Believers, if we really believe that we are living in the last days, we need to give ourselves to “watchful prayer.” While we watch for His return, we pray. We need to pray for those who do not know Him, that they might be saved. We need to pray for each other that we might live “sober-minded,” and not be frivolous and waste the time remaining. We need to be faithful to the Word and our Lord in these days.
[1] M.R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.