Staying Alert in 2025: Preparing for Christ’s Return
As we embark on a new year, many of us find ourselves caught up in the flurry of predictions and resolutions. Experts and analysts across various fields confidently forecast what the coming months will bring, despite their track record of being consistently wrong. Even in Christian circles, there’s often a temptation to try and pinpoint when Jesus will return, with some boldly claiming it will happen “soon.”
But what if we’re missing the point entirely?
In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 13, verses 32-37, we find a profound teaching that challenges our human tendency to predict and control. Jesus, speaking to His disciples about His return, makes a startling statement:
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.”
This passage serves as a wake-up call, urging us to shift our focus from trying to predict the unpredictable to staying spiritually alert and prepared. Jesus emphasizes this point repeatedly, using words like “watch,” “be on guard,” and “be alert” multiple times in just a few verses. The message is clear: our job is not to figure out when Christ will return, but to be ready when He does.
So how do we stay alert in a world that constantly tries to lull us to sleep spiritually?
- Devote Yourself to Prayer
In Colossians 4:2, we’re instructed to “devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Prayer is not about fulfilling a religious duty or alleviating guilt. It’s about maintaining a close, vibrant relationship with our Heavenly Father. When we cultivate a consistent prayer life, we remain spiritually awake and attuned to God’s presence and guidance.
- Immerse Yourself in Scripture
The Apostle Paul, in his farewell to the Ephesian elders, commits them to “God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up” (Acts 20:32). In a world saturated with information and misinformation, the Word of God serves as our anchor of truth. By regularly reading, studying, and meditating on Scripture, we equip ourselves to discern truth from error and resist the deceptive influences around us.
- Pursue Holiness Through Obedience
In Revelation 3:4, Jesus commends those in Sardis who “have not soiled their clothes.” This imagery speaks to the importance of maintaining spiritual purity through obedience to God’s commands. Sin has a way of dulling our spiritual senses and luring us into a state of complacency. By actively pursuing holiness and resisting temptation, we keep our spiritual alertness sharp.
- Stay United with the Church
The Apostle Peter warns us that our “enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). He then encourages believers to “resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:9). This reminder of our shared struggle emphasizes the importance of staying connected to the body of Christ. Just as a lion targets isolated prey, Satan seeks to attack believers who have disconnected from the church community.
As we reflect on these four areas – prayer, Scripture, obedience, and church unity – it’s crucial to move beyond vague intentions and develop practical steps for growth. Instead of simply resolving to “pray more,” consider committing to 10 minutes of focused prayer each morning. Rather than a general goal to “read the Bible more,” why not set out to study a specific book, like Thessalonians, over the course of the year?
It’s also important to remember that our alertness is not rooted in fear or anxiety about the future. Instead, it springs from the hope and assurance we have in Christ’s completed work on the cross. As we come to the Lord’s table and partake in communion, we’re reminded of the dual nature of our faith: we look back to what Jesus has already accomplished, freeing us from guilt and shame, while also looking forward to His return and the fulfillment of all His promises.
The Apostle Paul beautifully captures this tension in 1 Corinthians 15, where he outlines the core of the gospel:
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve… Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”
This resurrection hope fuels our alertness. We don’t stay watchful out of fear, but out of eager anticipation for the day when all things will be made new, when death will be swallowed up in victory, and when we will see our Savior face to face.
As we navigate the challenges and uncertainties of 2025, let’s commit to staying spiritually alert. Let’s resist the temptation to be lulled to sleep by the cares of this world or distracted by fruitless attempts to predict the future. Instead, let’s fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, cultivating a deep, abiding relationship with Him through prayer, Scripture, obedience, and community.
Remember, the goal is not to predict Christ’s return, but to be found faithful when He does. As Jesus Himself said, “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!'” (Mark 13:37).
May this year be one of spiritual awakening and renewed commitment to living in light of Christ’s certain return. Let us encourage one another to stay alert, standing firm in the faith, knowing that our labor in the Lord is never in vain.