Christ’s call to watch is one of the most solemn and urgent exhortations in the Gospel. It is not an invitation to fear, but to spiritual vigilance—to a conscious and prepared life. These words, spoken at the end of the parable of the ten virgins, summarize the attitude every believer must maintain while awaiting the return of the Lord: a faith that burns brightly, a heart that listens, and a life of obedience.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Matthew 25:13 (KJV)
In Matthew 25, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to ten virgins who awaited the coming of the bridegroom. Five were wise and took oil in their lamps; the other five were foolish and took none. When the bridegroom delayed, they all became drowsy and slept, but at midnight a cry was heard: “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him!”
The wise were prepared; their lamps were burning. The foolish, however, found themselves without oil and were left outside when the door was shut. The lesson is clear: it is not enough to know the Bridegroom; one must be ready for His arrival. Spiritual preparation cannot be improvised.
To watch means to keep faith alive, love constant, and hope firm. It is not about looking to heaven in fear, but walking in daily obedience, knowing that any day could be the last before meeting Christ. The believer who watches does not live carelessly or indifferently, but with the assurance that his life belongs to the Lord.
Jesus did not reveal the date of His return precisely so that His people would not fall into spiritual routine. If we knew the exact day and hour, many would prepare only at the end. But by keeping it hidden, the Lord calls us to be always ready—like one who eagerly awaits a beloved’s return.
The oil carried by the wise virgins represents the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the believer. It is not a ritual or a passing emotion, but a living communion with God that is nourished daily through prayer, the Word, and holiness.
Many begin their Christian walk with enthusiasm but grow cold over time. The worries of life, temporary pleasures, or simple weariness extinguish the flame. That is why Jesus warns: “Watch.” Keeping the oil burning requires spiritual discipline, vigilance of the heart, and dependence on the Spirit.
The message of Matthew 25:13 does not mean the believer should live enclosed, waiting for the end, but that he should work diligently while the day lasts. The one who watches does not remain idle; he serves, loves, preaches, forgives, and grows. The Lord seeks an active church that proclaims His Gospel and extends His Kingdom—not one lulled to sleep by comfort.
To watch also means to examine oneself. How is my lamp? Is it still burning, or is it fading out? The wise believer does not rely on past spirituality but renews his communion with God every day. He lives prepared, not out of fear of judgment, but out of love for the One who promised to return.
The Bridegroom is coming. We do not know when, but we know He will come. And when His voice sounds like a trumpet, only those who have watched with their lamps burning will enter into eternal joy.
Therefore, now is the time to awaken—to rekindle faith and fill our lamps with the oil of the Spirit. Let us not wait until the midnight cry is heard; let us prepare our hearts now.
“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour.” May these words not be a forgotten warning but a call to live each day with our eyes fixed on Christ, joyfully awaiting His glorious return.
