Signs of the Times

Is God Telling Us to Wake Up?

September 1, 2011

Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.—Matthew 24:42

by Anne Graham Lotz

On Sept. 11, 2001, America was attacked. Along with record-breaking hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and forest fires that followed, I believe 9/11 was an alarm that God allowed to go off. He wants us to wake up in our relationship with Him. He is using these alarms to underscore the fact that time is short. We need to pursue Jesus now—in this generation!

But we need to pursue Jesus according to His Word, not following the sensationalism of our day. Earlier this year, people everywhere were caught up in discussion about the end of the world. That discussion was triggered by a group of people who were convinced that Jesus would return on May 21, 2011. They paid a lot of money to get the word out and, while I admire their zeal, they were dead wrong.

When the disciples asked Jesus when the world would end, He emphatically said no one could know the exact day and hour, not even Himself. Only the Father knows that information (Matthew 24:36). But Jesus gave His disciples signs so they could know the generation.

Through His Word, you and I also can know whether we’re living at the end of human history as we know it, because Jesus clearly stated that there would come a final generation. As you match the signs He gave with our present generation, do you think this could be the last one?

If so, how then shall we live?

I. BY WATCHING

What do you think “watching” means? Write down the dictionary definition.
What do you think Jesus means by “keep watch” in Matthew 24:42?
Why is this important, according to Matthew 24:42-44?
What are some things that accompany watching, according to: Psalm 130:6? Proverbs 8:34? Micah 7:7? Habakkuk 1:5? Matthew 7:15 with 24:4, 11? Luke 21:36? Colossians 4:2?
Substitute the word church, family or America for Israel in Ezekiel 33:7. What does this mean to you?
What are some practical things you can do to pursue Jesus as a more focused and alert watchman in this generation?

II. BY WORKING

From Matthew 24:45-47, what does Jesus want to find you and me doing when He returns?
Is this an easy assignment? If not, why? Give phrases from Nehemiah 4:11, 19; 6:9.
What kind of work do you think Jesus was referring to in Matthew 9:35-38? Relate this to 2 Timothy 4:5.
Give another aspect of the work from John 6:28-29.
How does John 9:4 imply an urgency to our work?
What does 1 Corinthians 3:13 indicate is our motivation?
If Jesus returns in the next five minutes, what will He find you doing?
Would you take a moment now to ask Jesus to give you a work assignment—something you can do as you pursue Him—that will make an eternal impact in this generation?

III. BY WALKING

What do you think it means to walk with God? See 1 John 1:6-7, Ephesians 4:1-3, Micah 6:8. Based on these descriptions, how does your walk measure up?
What difference did walking with God make to Noah? See Genesis 6:8-18 and 7:23.
What difference did walking with God make to Abraham? Read Genesis 18:16-19.
What does Jesus not want to find you doing, according to Matthew 24:48-51?
In light of the imminent return of Christ, how are you to live? See 1 Peter 4:7; 2 Peter 3:11-12, 3:14, 3:17-18.
How does the hope of the return of Christ impact our lives according to 1 John 3:3? Can you give an example of this impact from your own life?
What are some practical things you need to do to adjust your walk to keep pace with His as you pursue Him in this generation?

We can’t predict when Jesus will return. But He is coming. We don’t know the day or the hour. But one day, either at Christ’s return or your death, you will stand face to face with Him. If you live your life expecting to see Jesus in the next five minutes and you don’t, what have you lost? Nothing. What have you gained? Everything. So wake up! Give God your full attention. Refocus on His Son, Jesus Christ, as your hope for the future. Ask God to reignite such an expectancy of seeing Jesus that you live the rest of your life with no regrets.

On this 10th anniversary of the attack on America, would you choose to give God your full attention in your watching, your working and your walking? Pursue Jesus … in this generation!

13 Comments

Susie says 9.24.2011, 05:21 a.m.

Thank you for your awakening message

Terer, Kenya says 9.24.2011, 04:35 a.m.

Praise God, thank you for the sharing, may God richly bless your ministry. Indeed we are living in the last days and the call for holiness and righteousness is very critical at this hour. Let us repent and turn away from sins, time is surely over, tomorrow may never come!

George says 9.23.2011, 7:57 p.m.

God, help us to control our will and desire in that we can fulfil your will for us. Help us oh God, to kill the desire of the flesh. Thank you man of God for the message.

Cestine says 9.23.2011, 09:28 a.m.

It is very true that we must repent of our ways and fully look up to Jesus in every dimension. He is the one who made us and outside Him we are nothing.

BOLA says 9.23.2011, 03:55 a.m.

Your articles are quickens to righteous living. May God gives the grace to preach and write concisely, convincingly and clearly like you. I need that grace that makes you so passionate for the salvation of souls. Remain blessed.

Prithvi-Bangalore says 9.23.2011, 00:54 a.m.

The world and its systems has everything in its place to keep us away from God and His will. May God enlighten us to love God and follow Him rather than loving the world and things of the world

Charles says 9.22.2011, 07:18 a.m.

Thank you for these insightful words.

Lwal says 9.22.2011, 06:26 a.m.

The word of God is true - yesterday, today and tomorrow. We should be ready for the glorious coming of our Lord at any moment.

Marianne says 9.21.2011, 9:06 p.m.

It is very evident that the Lord Jesus Christ's return is very near, wars and rumor of wars, disasters everywhere, men lovers of self, money had become more important than anything. Children rebelling against their parents, divorce is rampant and many people are Godless! Pray for your loved ones, tell them of the salvation in Jesus Christ! He is the only way to heaven and eternity!

Jeanette says 9.21.2011, 3:34 p.m.

Thank you for your ministry, and all you do to reach the lost! Love, Jeanette Wolfe.. Markham,Tx

Jim says 9.21.2011, 3:23 p.m.

Let us give thanks and pray as if we have less than thirty seconds and plan and cooperate with the Holy Spirit in purifying our lives to meet Him

Elisha,Kenya. says 9.5.2011, 04:28 a.m.

The Word of God is real and true, Jesus will back then there will be judgement day so we should hold into His salvation then we shall be saved though the word hides that day.

Robin says 9.2.2011, 7:47 p.m.

Please pray that I get back to that place where I do walk with God every minute of everyday.