The Blessing of Staying Awake and Dressed

The Blessing of Staying Awake and Dressed

The Scriptures tells us a half dozen or more

times that Jesus will come as a thief.

It also tells us the timing of

His coming… “in the Night”.

This is not a night God has created.

It is a time of separation from the Light of God’s Word.

Like sleeping in on Sunday morning.

In the darkness, there is a since of

freedom to do whatever you want.

The darkness gives a false

security of peace and safety.

There will be the element of surprise,

for those not expecting Him.

   It is clear the warning of the thief’s

coming is not just to the world.

It is to those who have seen the

Light and done deeds of righteousness…

But who have turned down the Light

 and run out of oil in their lamps?

They are the ones whose lives are no longer

making a Kingdom of God difference.

It is clear there is no blessing in the night.

The blessing is for those who stay awake

even though it seems there is no hope

of their light making any difference.

I have to confess I sometime get tired of making the personal

sacrifices to help people see the “Light” that just don’t care.

My flesh also wants the things of this world.

It becomes so important that we wear the

robes of righteousness God had given us.

When we take off those garments,

our fleshly desires are exposed.

Though there are those who may

like seeing your cleavage…

 

It does not promote the light of righteousness.

As the world moves farther

from the light of God’s Word…

And believer and unbelievers take off the robes of

righteousness or become too tired to put them on…

We need to remember…

“Since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

Christ is coming!

Stay awake!

Stay dressed in the garments of Christ!

And stay BLESSED!

Scripture Reading NIV

Revelation 16:15

15 "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed." 

Luke 12:39-40

39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." 

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

5:1 Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief . 5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

2 Peter 3:10-12

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief . The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.  

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

Revelation 3:1-6

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief , and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.