When Jesus told His disciples to “stay awake” and be watchful for His return, He wasn’t just speaking to them — He was speaking to us.
We live in a time when the world has grown spiritually drowsy. People are distracted, entertained, and lulled into believing that life will continue as it always has. Just as in the days of Noah, people are eating, drinking, marrying, and planning their futures with no thought of God’s coming judgment (Matthew 24:37–39).
But Jesus gives His followers a different command:
“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42).
The Danger of Spiritual Sleep:
Spiritual sleep isn’t about physical rest — it’s about indifference. It’s when hearts no longer burn with urgency, when sin becomes normal, when compromise feels safer than conviction. In Revelation 3, Jesus warns the church in Sardis:
“You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die…” (Revelation 3:1–2).
That’s a sobering reminder. A church can appear active and alive, yet be spiritually asleep. A Christian can say all the right words, yet drift into complacency.
What It Looks Like to Stay Awake:
Staying awake means more than just knowing prophecy — it’s living with a heart that is alert and ready for Christ.
It looks like:
• Prioritizing prayer even when the world says you’re too busy.
• Guarding your heart from the love of money, status, or pleasure.
• Repenting quickly when the Holy Spirit convicts you, instead of brushing it off.
• Sharing your faith boldly, because you know time is short.
Paul put it this way:
“So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober…” (1 Thessalonians 5:6–8).
Why It Matters Now More Than Ever.
Every generation of Christians has been called to watch, but our generation has seen things no other has. Israel’s rebirth in 1948. Global technology making Revelation’s prophecies possible. A culture worldwide that looks more like Sodom and Gomorrah than ever before.
If ever there was a time to wake up, it’s now.
The truth is — staying awake isn’t about predicting the day of Christ’s return. It’s about being found faithful when He does return. It’s about living every day with the mindset:
What if Jesus’ return is right around the corner?
Would you forgive more quickly?
Would you speak truth more boldly?
Would you hold your possessions a little more loosely?
Stay Awake. Stay Ready. Stay Faithful.
The world may be asleep, but followers of Jesus don’t have that luxury. Our King is coming. Our lamps must be burning. Our hearts must be ready.
And when He comes, those who stayed awake will hear the words we long for:
“Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:23)
So, I’ll ask you — are you awake, or are you asleep?
The time is short. Don’t waste it.