“Because you have kept the word of my patience,
I will also keep you from the hour of temptation,
which shall come upon the world,
to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

Revelation 3:10

The Bible goes into great detail when describing this period called “the Day of the Lord.” The scriptures declare that it will not only be a time of great destruction, but that it will come as a surprise to the vast majority of people on earth. Notice the words of the apostle Paul in his letter to the Church at Thessalonica.

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. (1Th. 5:1-3)

Paul was not the only apostle to use the image of a “thief in the night” when describing the last days and ultimately the return of Jesus Christ. Notice the words of the apostle Peter.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2Pet. 3:10)

In the book of Revelation, a letter written to the church at Sardis declares that the return of Jesus Christ will be like the entrance of a thief into an unguarded home.

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (Rev. 3:3)

God’s word declares emphatically that His people are to be aware of conditions in the world and how those conditions relate to what the scriptures call “the last days.” The Bible reveals both a blessing to those who watch and the consequences for failing to do so.

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Rev. 16:15)

There are many who see John’s words as literary as opposed to literal. However, it is important to understand that conquering armies throughout history have often subjected their enemies to abject humiliation and shame by forcing them to strip naked and herding them like animals. When establishing His covenant with the nation of Israel, God warned that one of the consequences of rebellion against Him would be that Israel would have to serve its’ enemies in nakedness (Dt. 28:48). Additionally, a stern letter written to God’s church at Laodicea reveals that complacency and an attitude of self-sufficiency is a precursor to this shame (Rev. 3:17). This being the case, these powerful words recorded by John should cause all Christians to seriously take inventory of their spiritual lives.

No One Knows the Day or Hour

The admonition in scripture is clear: God’s people must always be ready because the specific time of the return of Jesus Christ is not known. Jesus Himself stated that even He did not know the precise time of His return. Notice His words.

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but [only] the Father... (Mk. 13:32)

Even after His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus indicated that the time of his return was still in the hands of God the Father.

When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (Acts 1:6-7)

Here, from the very lips of Jesus Christ comes a clear declaration regarding His return to this earth: “I am coming, but you don’t know when.” This being the case, it is incumbent upon every Christian that he or she be in a constant state of preparedness. Failure to do so could be catastrophic--Jesus said as much. The gospel of Luke records a profound lesson given by Him regarding the importance of being prepared and the tragic consequences of complacency.

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. (Lk. 12:35-40)

Throughout the Bible, God’s people are admonished to “watch” because we do not know the day or the hour of Jesus’ return. Tragically, the Bible also declares that many, even in God’s church, will be unprepared and totally caught off guard when the events surrounding His return come to pass.

A Lesson from Ten Virgins

One of the sternest warnings ever given by Jesus Christ to God’s church came in the form of a “kingdom parable.” It is called the Parable of the Ten Virgins and was given during the last days of Jesus’ life. This parable bears reading in its entirety. Notice what Jesus says.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Mt. 25:1-13)

With this parable, Jesus was explaining that the consequences for failing to “watch” are enormous. Simply put, the tremendous privilege of being a part of the greatest wedding in the history of the universe (see Rev. 19:6-9) could be lost because people who should have known better became complacent and did not take seriously God’s word concerning the very days we are living in.

The great American patriot and U.S. president, Thomas Jefferson, once said, “Eternal vigilance is the price we pay for liberty.” This is also the price God’s people must pay to escape what the Bible characterizes as the worst time in the history of the world (Mt. 24:21; Jer. 30:7). The parable of the ten virgins is a warning to God’s end-time church that they are to be ready, doing His work, living His life, and WATCHING.