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  AWAKE!  

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." Romans 13:11-12

If ever a scripture spoke to our generation, it would have to be this one. Awake! Cries the apostle, stir yourselves for the long night is nearly over and our King is about to return, we must not fail Him in this final hour. (Read also Matthew 25:1-13.)

Albert Barnes in his able commentary says that sleep is "inactivity; insensibility to the doctrines and duties of religion. People, by nature, are active only in deeds of wickedness. In regard to religion they are insensible, and the slumbers of night are on their eyelids. Sleep is "the kinsman of death," and it is the emblem of the insensibility and stupidity of sinners. The deeper the ignorance and sin, the greater is this insensibility to spiritual things, and to the duties which we owe to God and man." (Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible)

For the most part, this is where the Church is today, asleep and insensitive to her spiritual surroundings. She must awaken and take inventory of the spiritual realm if she is to have any effect. Luke gives us a vivid example of this very thing in his account of Gethsemane.

"And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.
And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,
And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas..." Luke 22:39-47

The disciples were fast asleep while all around them there was enormous spiritual activity, a terrible darkness was moving over them and they were completely insensitive to it. Scripture says that while Jesus "yet spake" to awaken His disciples, "Behold, there was a multitude, and he that was called Judas was with them" (vs 47).  Can you imagine the disciples fear, waking suddenly to a multitude of demonized men? Scripture says they all fled in fear. (Matthew 26:56)

Fear was prompted by their slumber; they were unprepared for what had overtaken them. Today big name TV preachers lull the Church to sleep and she is unprepared for what is about to come upon her, she has no sense of the spiritual. But there are a few faithful, like Christ who have kept awake and have a genuine sense of their spiritual surroundings, and are trying desperately to awaken the Church crying, "Behold, there is coming a dark multitude, and he that is called the Antichrist is with them."

The apostle Paul cries loudest to this generation, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Ephesians 5:14   John Gill makes this observation in his commentary;

We are too close to the end to sleep now, we must be about our Father's business, we must stir ourselves and go forth with eyes wide open to our spiritual surroundings, only then will we see things as they truly are and be prepared, even as Christ our Lord when the multitude came upon Him.

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light." Romans 13:11-12

Motivations for Christians to Awake
By Asahel Nettleton

1. Consider the time. Gospel light has risen upon us, and those who do not open their eyes to this light will remain in eternal darkness and despair. How can you sleep when the light of heaven is shining upon you? It is no time for sleep, because the day of salvation is a day that will be witnessed for eternity. The great business of this day calls loudly for you to awake.

Think, my brethren! Have you nothing to do for yourselves in preparation for eternity? Have you no sins to repent of and no evil propensities to mortify? Are your evidences of grace bright enough? Do you love God with all your heart? Are you perfectly conformed to God's holy law? In short, are you willing to die as you are? If you have anything to do for yourselves, it is high time to awake out of sleep.

2. Parents, consider your children. Are they all securely within the safety of the covenant? Do you pray with them and for them? Have you taught them that they are sinners in need of new birth? Are you urging them to remember their Creator in the days of their youth? Were you to depart with one of your children today, could you rest satisfied that you have done your duty? Have you not one more word of instruction, of counsel, or of warning for your children before you meet them at the bar of God? If so, then it is time for you to awaken to your duty to order your home.

3. Consider the activity of unbelievers. The men of this world shame us by their conduct. They rise up early and sit up late. They plan and execute. Labor, fatigue, and hardship are nothing to them if they can but collect a little of this world before they leave it. They are laying up treasure on earth. And will you not be as earnest to lay up for yourselves treasure that will endure in heaven? Do you not feel reproved by their conduct to think that the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light?

4. Consider the power of your enemy. My brethren, you are on the field of battle against the prince of darkness. The malice of evil legions is directed against the Redeemer's kingdom in this world. Satan is already in possession of the hearts of all wicked men. While you sleep, he is sowing tares and destroying about us. Snares and temptations are laid thick around you, and unless you are awake, you will certainly be ignorant of his devices. I would blow the trumpet and sound the alarm: Cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light!

5. Consider that sinners are perishing. Your life and example will contribute either to their salvation or to their destruction. It is a fact that one ungodly professor of Christianity does more to prevent the conversion of sinners than many infidels. Brethren, are heaven and hell mere fables? If they are eternal realities, how can you remain silent or indifferent about them? If there be one impenitent sinner among you who is in danger of going to that place of eternal torment, can you sleep?

Come, then, you that know the Lord and keep not silent, 'if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand' (Ezek. 33:8). There is a dreadful storm of divine wrath coming upon the world of the ungodly. Therefore, it is high time to awake from slumber because 'their damnation slumbereth not' (2 Pet. 2:3).

6. Consider the time that has already passed. How many months have you been asleep? How many years have you slept in God's vineyard? Would you still continue sleeping away the day of salvation? With some, the sun has already passed its midway point and is now hastening its rapid descent. 'Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light' (John 12:35). Delay not, for 'the night cometh, when no man can work' (John 9:4).

7. Consider the glorious future that awaits you. You who have long traversed the wilderness on your way to Zion, your struggles for eternal life will have an end. You who have long labored, prayed, and groaned to be delivered from the bondage of sin, 'look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh' (Luke 21:28). This night you may wake up amid the song of angels, and a crown of glory may be placed on your head. Awake, then, and behold the glorious dawn of a bright new day!

8. Finally, consider the great danger of being deceived. A genuine Christian can never sleep sound without being disturbed. He inevitably will become frightened and wake up alarmed about his own condition. However, there are those who remain sound asleep and live at ease in Zion. They neither weep for their sins nor rejoice in the glory of God. Their hope of heaven is really only a pleasant dream while meanwhile they sink further into spiritual deception.

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