The Olivet prophecy is recorded in Matthew 24. There we find the signs given by Jesus that will precede His return to this earth. Near the end of the chapter Jesus exhorts his disciples to be vigilant: "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (verse 44).

Some people don't realize that Jesus' admonition continues right on over to chapter 25 with the parable of the ten virgins. The parable also talks about the return of Christ. Jesus tells us that all ten virgins – a symbol for believers, i. e., the church – fell asleep when the arrival of the bridegroom appeared to be delayed: "But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept" (verse 5).

In the New Testament we find over a dozen admonitions to be vigilant (examples: Matthew 24:42-44; 25:13, Mark 13:33-37, Luke 21:34-35; Acts 20:31; 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 20). We are to be vigilant so Jesus' return does not surprise us like "a thief in the night." Some people think that the analogy of a thief in night means that Jesus will be invisible when He returns. That is nonsense! A thief isn't invisible, but he isn’t seen, because no one expects him to come and no one is watching.

Jesus tells us: "If the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into" (Matthew 24:43).

Our vigilance is directed in part to our own spiritual condition, our relationship with God: "Let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober . . . Let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation" (1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8).

Our vigilance is also served when we participate in distributing the food that we have been given to share – the gospel of the kingdom of God: "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing" (Matthew 24:45-46).

Don't forget: all ten virgins fell asleep. How sleepy are you?

With these thoughts I wish us all a rewarding Sabbath!