High Alert

DEFCON is America’s alert status warning system that puts its armed forces in an appropriate state of readiness.

And while currently we’re at DEFCON 5, which designates peacetime military readiness, spiritually, Jesus says we’re at DEFCON 1, or maximum readiness, not only because we’re constantly at war with the enemy of our souls, Satan, but also because He’s coming back and we need to be ready.

Jesus has just finished giving instructions concerning the End Times, but also that no one knows when it’s going to take place, so we need to be ready.

“No one knows about that day or hour, 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.” (Mark 13:32-33)

But Jesus does more than merely tell us to wait; He also tells us that we should be serving Him in the meantime.

“It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back … If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping” (Mark 13:34-36)

Jesus says we’re to be about Kingdom of God business everyday, because we don’t know when He’ll return, and the last thing He wants is to return and find us sleeping, or at DEFCON 1.

And so every day we need to be on high alert, watching, praying, and serving God.

We are not to be like the five foolish virgins who were not ready when the bridegroom showed up and who were left out. (Matthew 25:1-13)

And so let’s not be weary doing what God has called us to do, but rather let’s be ready and alert. Let’s be at DEFCON 1

“What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:37)