Being Vigilant And Watchful Series

Being Vigilant and Watchful

7 Blessings in Revelations Series

June 16th, 2024, CCCAG

Scripture: Rev 16:15

Introduction

When I was in the Army Reserves, we had a major evaluation to pass that determined how combat ready we were, and it directly correlated to where we sat on the deployment ranking. The highest were deployed first, and the lowest the last.

You might think, from a pragmatic view of never wanting to go away from your family, you’d want to be on the bottom of the scale. The problem with that is if you are not deployable, your unit is the first on the chopping block when they decide to reorganize and disband units. Also, those at the bottom of that list got the least amount of funding, so less money for training which is what we all want to do.

So the pressure was on, and a month before that exam we had a 3 day trip to Ft McCoy to make sure that our equipment worked, and our unit was ready for this 10 day examination. This was in the early 90’s, so our unit was still tasked for Europe or Korea, so we trained in the woods. This of course was before the GWOT, so the tactics might not sound familiar to those who fought in that war.

As part of that, we had to set out OP’s- observation posts. We would have to set up what was essentially a hunting blind for security to make sure no one was sneaking into the main area. These were manned 24/7 because other Army units were tasked to try to penetrate our security as part of the test.

If you had a middle of the night shift, and you and the person you were with were caught napping- you’d wake up to another soldier running a permanent red marker across your throat to symbolize that you failed in your duty to keep watch, and you are now dead and the enemy successful penetrated your unit and took it out.

Not only did that mean a failure for your unit, but this ink stayed on your neck for over a week before it wore off- telling everyone who saw you that you failed in the most basic duties of a soldier- to stand watch.

It was meant to shame those who couldn’t even do that basic thing.

This example directly correlates to the scripture we will be studying this morning in our series the 7 Blessings In Revelations.

In the timeline found in Revelation, we are now in the last 3 ½ years and everyone who is left alive on earth are experiencing the Bowl judgments. The antichrist- the man possessed by satan himself is ruling the entire planet, and is actively searching out anyone who fails to worship him.

Anyone still left alive and following Jesus would have had to watch those who refuse to follow Jesus experience-

Painful sores to those who worshipped the antichrist

The oceans turning to blood, and all of the marine life dying

All of the fresh water on earth then turning to blood

The sun doubling its output of heat scorching the earth

Complete darkness

The drying of the Euphrates river so China and the nations of the east could move their armies to the Valley of Megiddo for the final battle.

Yet In the midst of this hell on earth, Jesus has a blessing for those who are still alive and following HIM.

This blessing is not just for these people, but for all of us who are following Jesus in a time where its becoming harder and harder to follow HIM.

Let’s read that blessing

Rev 16:15 “Look, I am coming like a thief. Blessed is the one who is alert and remains clothed so that he may not go around naked and people see his shame.”

Prayer

For those living during the time of the Great Tribulation, this encouragement from Jesus will be life giving for them.

Just like for those people living in the Tribulation, this scripture contains a few basic reminders to help us in our relationship with HIM that will be vital to maintain to make it in the Kingdom of God.

The First one we touched on in the opening and pointing out how it was necessary for those on guard to be awake. That’s our first reminder for us this morning-

I. Be Alert

This idea of being alert isn’t just to be hyperaware of everything happening around you, but to understand the time that you are living in, and the tactics the enemy is using to have your focus on the wrong things.

During the times of King David, when he was being hunted by Saul, there was essentially a civil war in Israel, with hundreds of people coming to David’s side in this fight.