“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” — Matthew 24:42, NIV

Have you ever stayed up late waiting for something exciting? Maybe you’ve waited for Christmas morning, or for a loved one’s headlights to appear in the driveway after a long trip. There’s a certain mix of excitement and longing that makes it hard to close your eyes, isn’t there?  On October 22, 1844, many sincere believers looked to the skies with unmatched excitement, expecting to see their Savior coming through the clouds.  When disappointment settled, many gave up hope in the very promise of Jesus’ return.  Their initial excitement about knowing the day didn’t translate into a sustained commitment to knowing the Savior.

But according to Jesus, the unknown about the timing of His return is actually the reason to keeping watching for His return (Mt. 24:44).  When His disciples asked, “When will these things happen?” (v. 3), Jesus didn’t give them a countdown—He gave them a call: “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming” (v. 42).

And that call is for us today.  It’s an invitation to eager expectation and constant readiness, unlike the nonchalance of those who lived in the days of Noah. People were living normal lives—eating, working, planning weddings—completely indifferent to the fact that a world-changing storm was about to arrive.

The issue wasn’t that they were doing wrong things; it was that they were doing ordinary things without any concern for the extraordinary things God was about to do.

Jesus warns that the last days will feel much the same. Life may appear to go on as usual, but our hearts don’t have to grow numb to His presence. Instead, we can stay spiritually awake in our relationship with Jesus with hearts tuned to heaven and untethered to “the cares of this life” (Lk. 21:34).

Let’s be the kind of people who watch.  Adventists in the truest sense — not just watching signs, but watching for the Savior, keeping our hearts near to Jesus, ready for His presence at any moment. We may not know the hour, but we can daily know the One who’s coming—and that’s enough.

💭 Reflection Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus wants us to focus on nearness rather than knowing a specific date (Mt. 24:32-33)?
2. What helps you feel spiritually awake—worship, prayer, serving others, or time in Scripture?
3. Are there habits, distractions, or cares of this life that make your heart sleepy to God’s presence?
4. How could your family help one another stay ready and hopeful this week?

🙏 Prayer

“Lord Jesus, help us stay awake to Your love and presence. Keep our hearts alive with hope, and teach us to live each day as though You could return at any moment. Amen.”

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