Now More Than Ever, Stay Awake! ??⚔️?⚔️??

[Bible Speaks]

Now More Than Ever, Stay Awake! ??⚔️?⚔️??

"Let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses." —1 Thess. 5:6

Peter helps his readers to cultivate patience by reminding them why God often does not act immediately. First, Peter says: “One day is with Jehovah as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8) 

Since Jehovah lives forever, he can take all factors into consideration and choose the best possible time to act. Then, Peter points to Jehovah’s desire that people everywhere should repent. God’s patience means salvation for many who would perish if he acted precipitously. (1 Timothy 2:3, 4; 2 Peter 3:9) 

However, Jehovah’s patience does not mean that he will never act. “Jehovah’s day will come as a thief,” says Peter.—2 Peter 3:10.

What will help us to stay awake spiritually, and how will this ‘speed up,’ as it were, Jehovah’s day?

Peter’s comparison is noteworthy. Thieves are not easy to apprehend, but a watchman who stays awake all night is more likely to spot a thief than is one who dozes from time to time. 

How can a watchman stay awake? Walking about is more conducive to alertness than sitting down all night. Similarly, staying spiritually active will help us as Christians to stay awake. Thus, Peter urges us to keep busy in “holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion.” (2 Peter 3:11) 

Such activity will help us to continue “keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah.” The Greek word rendered “keeping close in mind” can be literally translated “speeding up.” (2 Peter 3:12; footnote) 

True, we cannot change Jehovah’s timetable. His day will come at his appointed hour. But the time from now until then will seem to pass much more quickly if we are busy in his service.—1 Corinthians 15:58.

Hence, any who feel that the day of Jehovah is delaying are encouraged to heed Peter’s counsel to wait patiently upon Jehovah’s appointed time. Indeed, we can use wisely the extra time that God’s patience allows. We can, for example, continue to cultivate vital Christian qualities as well as share the good news with many more than would otherwise have been possible. 

If we stay awake, Jehovah will find us “spotless and unblemished and in peace” at the end of this system of things. (2 Peter 3:14, 15) What a blessing that will be!

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2003002?q=1+thess+5%3A6&p=par

 

[Bible Speaks]