Topic: Watch Out Part 2
Bible Reading: Zephaniah 1, 2, 3; Revelation 16.
Memory Verse: “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15 (KJV)
Today, the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated all over the world by Christians. It is celebration of a new beginning for the world at large as Jesus Christ came to the world to save us from the consequences of our sin. The Samaritans attested to this in John 4:42 (KJV), “And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”
The prophecies concerning his birth, the birth itself, His earthly life, death and resurrection attest to this fact. It is therefore important to ensure the message brought to the world by the Lord Jesus is not lost on us as we celebrate his birth today. You need to remember that in His second coming, hte would be coming to judge the world and not as a Saviour again! Jesus Christ himself said to us in Revelation 16:15 (KJV), “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” This implies that: He is coming back suddenly and therefore expects everyone to be prepared every time. He has said no one knows when He would come back again, not even Himself! Mark 13:26-32. This is why he likened it to coming like a thief.
He then enjoined us to watch. This means looking out for his coming and not being daunted if the coming is delayed. The coming may be today, tomorrow, a year’s time, ten years or several years to come. You must continuously be on the look out and not relent on your expectation. Such expectation must be based on wearing continually the garment of righteousness of Christ. This means living a life patterned after Christ in holiness! Anyone who deviates from this is not keeping his garments and will end up walking naked and be put to shame!
As you celebrate today, do not forget to wear your garment of righteousness of Christ and if you are one of those who has left the garment, you need to repent and put on the garment afresh with a determination not to leave the garment again. Remember that you must always be on the watch for the second coming of Christ by living holy, studying the word of God and preaching the gospel to depopulate the kingdom of satan.
Prayer point: Father, help me to wear the garment of the righteousness of Jesus Christ continually till His second coming.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero