Jesus said about the time of the end…
“And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” Mark 13:37
Here the translators use the words ‘Stay awake’, the Greek word is grégoreó meaning literally, “stay awake”; (figuratively) be vigilant (responsible, watchful). Then we have to ask ourselves what is He meaning to ‘stay awake’?
From Barnes’ Notes on the Bible…
“I say unto all, Watch – This command was proper, not only for those who were expecting the calamities that were soon to come upon the Jews, but for all who are soon to die and to go to the judgment. We know not the time of our death. We know not how soon we shall be called to the judgment. The Son of man may come at any moment, and we should therefore be ready. If we are his friends; if we have been renewed and pardoned; if we have repented of our sins, and have believed on him. and are leading a holy life, we “are” ready. If not, we are unprepared, and soon – probably while we are not expecting it – the cold hand of death will be laid on us, and we shall be hurried to the place where is weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth. Oh how important it is to be ready, and to escape the awful sufferings of an eternal hell!”
So staying ‘awake’ and ‘watch’ means to not be just going about your own lives with no deference to our … intimacy of relationship with God. Here specifically is the ministry Jesus was talking about … of the Holy Spirit in John 14:26. That’s the ‘awake’ part that we should ALL be participating in .. if we are diligent to His plan in our lives.
This IS the relationship part of our lives. Anyone knows that relationships take work and constant communication. Relationship with the Holy Spirit / God is no different in that it takes constant work, communication, and time together. This is the ‘constancy of prayer’ Paul urges us to… in that we are ALWAYS open to listening to Him. We can say, “Well He is in me” and think that is enough. That’s like cohabitating with your spouse and never talking with them or sharing your life / day to day with them. He is IN you for a reason. That reason is to HELP you navigate life and the path He has for you, and to introduce you to HIM (Father / Yeshua / Holy Spirit) and His ways… deeper and deeper.
Each of us MUST learn what His Voice sounds like to us … personally. We MUST learn His Rhema Word(s) in us, and further explore them with His guidance (ie. Holy Spirit). Dreams, visions, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, and prophecy are all still part of the Holy Spirit’s ministry to us and through us. Jesus didn’t just leave us a ‘book’ and then say “that’s all you need now”. So many now are experiencing dreams and visions from the Holy Spirit, and because of that the enemy is also delivering many false ones as well. So correct spiritual discernment is crucial now. Don’t trust someone else’s discernment — until the Holy Spirit confirms it within you. CHECK EVERYTHING with the Holy Spirit. Being spiritually awake is to be alert WITH the Holy Spirit within you. Listening and quickly obeying Him when He gives you instructions.
As things get even more crazy … His Words and instructions to us will mean … life and salvation.
It’s time to slap yourself awake. Be sober and alert .. for the time is short.