What did Christ mean when he said to "watch" and how do we go about "watching"?

Question

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If Christians are to be "raptured", "raized up to meet Christ in the air, why do they need to "watch"?

Answer 1

Watch your neighbor change clothes. I don't suggest doing it. Good way to get the cops called on you.

Answer 2

I can only assume that you are refering to Matt 25:13 where Jesus say, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."

The simple answer is that Jesus is telling the world to watch for his return. More specifically, He is talking to Israel in all of Matt 24 and 25 answer the question from His disciples "what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age" (Matt 24:3). They understood that he would come back "at the end of the age"...at which time, Israel will recognize Him (finally) and be saved (Romans 11). This is the "second coming" which happens at the end of the "immediately after the distress of those days" (the 7 year tribulation) (Matt 14:29).

In addition, as Christians today, we are also to be watchful. But for the "rapture" of the church, which can happen any moment (before the 7 year tribulation). For the Christian, this is our "blessed hope" (Tit 2:13) which we are to be eagarly waiting for (1 Cor 1:7).

The main point of the parables in Matt 25 is this: are you prepared? And the only way to be prepared is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ! Blessing.

Answer 3

He asked us to watch for signs of his presence. This would be shown by the conditions noted in the world . The 'signs' would be a composite one.

(Matthew 24:3-28) While he was sitting upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately, saying: “Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?” 4 And in answer Jesus said to them: “Look out that nobody misleads YOU; 5 for many will come on the basis of my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. 6 YOU are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that YOU are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. 8 All these things are a beginning of pangs of distress. 9 “Then people will deliver YOU up to tribulation and will kill YOU, and YOU will be objects of hatred by all the nations on account of my name. 10 Then, also, many will be stumbled and will betray one another and will hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise and mislead many; 12 and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off. 13 But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved. 14 And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come. 15 “Therefore, when YOU catch sight of the disgusting thing that causes desolation, as spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in a holy place, (let the reader use discernment,) 16 then let those in Ju·de′a begin fleeing to the mountains. 17 Let the man on the housetop not come down to take the goods out of his house; 18 and let the man in the field not return to the house to pick up his outer garment. 19 Woe to the pregnant women and those suckling a baby in those days! 20 Keep praying that YOUR flight may not occur in wintertime, nor on the sabbath day; 21 for then there will be great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now, no, nor will occur again. 22 In fact, unless those days were cut short, no flesh would be saved; but on account of the chosen ones those days will be cut short. 23 “Then if anyone says to YOU, ‘Look! Here is the Christ,’ or, ‘There!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will give great signs and wonders so as to mislead, if possible, even the chosen ones. 25 Look! I have forewarned YOU. 26 Therefore, if people say to YOU, ‘Look! He is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; ‘Look! He is in the inner chambers,’ do not believe it. 27 For just as the lightning comes out of eastern parts and shines over to western parts, so the presence of the Son of man will be. 28 Wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

This prophecy has a twofold meaning. It partly applied when the Roman army came and laid siege to Jerusalem in 67 .C.E. It is the Roman army described as a disgusting thing standing in a holy place [ the temple in Jerusalem.] Those that fled Jerusalem then were saved from the second incident in 70 C.E. The Roman army turned up a second time and again laid siege to Jerusalem. no one escaped. A million or more died.
Another sign is (Luke 21:11) and there will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another pestilences and food shortages; and there will be fearful sights and from heaven great signs.

Many people are starving, yet food prices are kept high to satisfy the "profit" of already rich people.
Earthquakes are happening in places, now, where they have not occurred before.
And pestilences like Aids and cancer caused by modern lifestyles and chenicals. And it is all getting worse.

Answer 4

We r watching for His second coming or suppose to be. I don't presume to decipher the Lord's words for others but for me the Lord has told me to keep watch not only of His miraclous return but of everything I do. I am to watch that I don't fall into perdition by following the ways of the world. I am to keep watch over all He (God) provides for me and blesses me with such as my home, my children, my wife, my neighbors, my belongings, everything.

Answer 5

are you referring to when he said to watch for his return? he means to look for the signs of his soon coming. read the book of Revelation and will tell you exactly what will happen in the end times. look around, its happening now! floods earthquakes, hurricanes in such close proximity to each other that they seem that they would rip the world apart! i could put a whole sermon here.....my best advice is to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit and read Revelation.

Answer 6

Watch and pray that you will not enter into temptation.
Be a watchman for souls
Watch for that day cometh and no man no when
Be ready, be vigilant
Always be about the father business

Answer 7

Watch is the same as "beware" in Greek. Look at the context with that in mind.

Answer 8

He meant to 'watch' what is going on around us so we will discern the signs of the times...
Thus we will have a clue to when he is going to return.....

Answer 9

Watch means watch, just be watching.

Answer 10

Please specify a scripture where he said this and I will try to give you an answer.