Living Awake in the Last Days

Why the Promise of Christ’s Return Should Shape Every Part of Life.

The children’s tale of Chicken Little tells of a startled chick who mistakes a falling acorn for the end of the world. Her urgent cry, “The sky is falling!” rallies others to join her, but the story ends in disaster when a cunning fox lures them away.

The Christian story is different. We don’t run to the King with our fears the King has already come to us. He entered our world, gave His life willingly, and rose victorious. He promised to return, not in panic, but in power, bringing a new heaven and new earth.

Jesus has told us plainly: “Stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming… Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:42, 44). The question is are we living as though we believe Him?

Learning from Noah’s Urgency

Noah was the “Chicken Little” of his time, except his warning wasn’t a false alarm. God told him a world-ending flood was coming. While others went on eating, drinking, and planning weddings, Noah obeyed and built the ark a decades-long act of faith (Genesis 6:22, Hebrews 11:7).

Jesus compared His return to “the days of Noah” (Matthew 24:37–39). People were living as if nothing would change until the rain began to fall. The warning was clear, but only Noah lived ready.

Awake But Not Idle

Some Christians throughout history have misunderstood watchfulness to mean withdrawing from life. In Paul’s day, certain believers in Thessalonica stopped working altogether, convinced the Lord’s return was immediate. Paul corrected them: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

The call is not to hysteria but to faithful work. As John Piper notes, “There will be good work to do… right up to the Lord’s coming.” Until that day, we are to live as Colossians 3:23 says: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

The difference is this once we know the King is coming, even our ordinary work is infused with purpose.

Does His Return Shape Your Life?

Living awake means letting the reality of Christ’s return transform every area:

  • Your spiritual life — Do prayer, worship, and Scripture study carry a sense of expectancy?

  • Your witness — Noah was not silent. Peter calls him “a herald of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), warning others of judgment and inviting them into safety.

  • Your family — Hebrews 11:7 says Noah built the ark “for the saving of his household.” Our hope in Christ’s return should be something our families can see, feel, and share in.

Hope Stronger Than Fear

Preparing for Jesus’ return isn’t about quitting your job or isolating from the world. It’s about living fully reading the Word, encouraging others, serving faithfully, sharing the good news with a constant awareness that the King could appear at any moment.

Isaiah 25:9 captures the heart of this anticipation:

“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.
This is the Lord; we have waited for him;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

We don’t merely fear the end we look forward to the beginning of a forever life with Christ. Revelation 22:20 closes the story with His promise: “Surely I am coming soon.”

The hand of the King is already on the door. Let His nearness wake you to live boldly, faithfully, and joyfully for Him. There is too much at stake to spend our days pecking at corn.

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