Continuing to examine what the Bible teaches about being “woke,” Keith is joined again by Chris to discuss a passage where Jesus gives a clear response.
“Woke” in the new testament has a similar meaning to the old testament uses, one meaning is to simply wake from sleep.
Matthew 2:13,20 (NASB)
13 ¶Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
20 “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.”
In both verses, the term, “get up” is the Greek word to wake up, as if from sleep. (egeiro — pronounced: eg-i’-ro )
Another common use of awake in the new testament is to be alert. It is a more passive form than the verb used in the old testament, but it still means to be fully alert and lively. Let’s look at how Jesus used it in teaching his disciples what matters in being “woke.” Here are a few key verses to examine how the words are used. Notice that, in verse 24, false teachers will “wake as if from sleep,” and try to deceive people. The thing that Jesus is calling his students to be is alert.
Matthew 24:24,42
24 “For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, to mislead, if possible, even the elect.
42 ¶” Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
43 “But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
Not to be generic about the meaning of being alert, we unpack the context of the thing we are to be alert and keep watching for. The passage is a bit long, so we try to summarize it.
Matthew 24:1-24 Summary
At the temple, Jesus points out its future destruction. Not one stone is to be left on another. v 1,2.
Jesus answers the disciples’ question, when? Watch for many to come, deceiving people from the truth. There will be wars, rumors of war, but when nations rise against nations, it’s not the end. All these things, including famines and earthquakes, are only birth pains.
A tribulation time comes, believers will be killed and hated. Many will fall away. They will betray their faith and hate one another. As Many are deceived, lawlessness will increase, and love will grow cold.
The enduring one, the one who still clings to faith will be saved. The gospel was taught to all nations.
After all the turmoil, the end comes.
(v 3-14)
Jesus continues to describe what to be alert for.
When you see Daniel’s abomination of desolation standing in the temple…
- Run for the hills!
- Don’t pause to take supplies from the house.
- Don’t stop to grab your cloak if working in the field.
v 15-18
Jesus cautions.
It will be particularly hard on pregnant women, nursing, or young children. Pray that flight will not be in winter or on the sabbath. This is where the Great tribulation takes place, its days cut short only for the sake of the elect.
v 19-22.
The warnings are emphasized.
Don’t be deceived by false teachers. False teachers “waking as if from sleep” and doing false signs and wonders. You have been warned.
If these are the end times, when will Jesus return? Matthew 24:25-42 Summary
Jesus warns to be “woke” to the false teachers. Do not follow, or be swayed by them. His return will be as swift and visible as lightning. His remark on the “Vultures that gather on a corpse” seems to imply his followers should separate themselves from the decisions the world makes, and who they follow…
After the tribulation, the skies will darken, the Heavens will be shaken and all tribes will mourn. Why? The world will have to see his great glory. The only ones who will see him with excitement are the elect. Angels will then gather them.
v 25-31
Fig tree parable.
Jesus tells how his believers can stay “woke” and recognize the signs of his return. When the season is right, a fig tree puts forth buds. Just as a tree clearly shows when it’s time, watch for signs of the coming season.
v 32-33
Jesus assures his promise will happen.
The things people say and do, culture, fads, or otherworldly importance, heaven and earth will pass away. His word will not. The day the end will come is known only by god.
Just as in Noah’s day, marriage and feasting took place right up to entering the ark. In the field, or the mill, one will be taken and another left.
v. 34-41
Bottom line, if we are to be “woke” to anything, stay alert to the signs of the times. Be willing to endure hardship for the truth of the gospel. As bad as it may get, be alert for his return.
“Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.
Matthew 24:42
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NASB.
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
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“Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995
by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
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