Watch Yourselves

Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

This is the first plain reference in all Scripture of the rapture—of some escaping all the terrible events of Luke 21:25-28. How they were to escape, if they met conditions, is stated here as "to stand before the Son of Man." How could all worthy ones go to be before Him unless by rapture as stated in John 14:1-3; 1Th. 4:13-18?

Watch...

ἀγρυπνέω

agrupneō

ag-roop-neh'-o

Ultimately from the first (as negative particle) and sleep; to be sleepless, that is, keep awake: - watch.

Jesus warned His disciples to be ready at all times. Though a believer will be able to anticipate the coming of the kingdom by the signs, it is possible to get so entangled with the affairs of life that some will not be ready for the kingdom when it comes - unexpectedly (Luke 21:34) and universally (Luke 21:35) - and therefore will not enter the kingdom. It was against this wrong attitude that Jesus said, Be careful (Luke 21:34) and be always on the watch (Luke 21:36).

ye therefore,...

οὖν

oun

oon

Apparently a primary word; (adverbially) certainly, or (conjugationally) accordingly: - and (so, truly), but, now (then), so (likewise then), then, therefore, verily, wherefore.

and pray...

δέομαι

deomai

deh'-om-ahee

Middle voice of to bind; to beg (as binding oneself), that is, petition: - beseech, pray (to), make request.

always,...

ἐν

en

en

A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between to or into and from, out); “in”, at, (up-) on, by, etc.: - about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-) by (+ all means), for (. . . sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-) in (-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-) on, [open-] ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, [speedi-] ly, X that, X there (-in, -on), through (-out), (un-) to(-ward), under, when, where (-with), while, with (-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) prep.

πᾶς

pas

pas

Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole: - all (manner of, means) alway (-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no (-thing), X throughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

καιρός

kairos

kahee-ros'

Of uncertain affinity; an occasion, that is, set or proper time: - X always, opportunity, (convenient, due) season, (due, short, while) time, a while.

that...

ἵνα

hina

hin'-ah

Probably from the same as the former part of him (through the demonstrative idea; compare the); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result): - albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to.

ye may be accounted worthy...

καταξιόω

kataxioō

kat-ax-ee-o'-o

From down and deemed entitled or fit; to deem entirely deserving: - (ac-) count worthy.

to escape...

ἐκφεύγω

ekpheugō

ek-fyoo'-go

From from, out and to shun; to flee out: - escape, flee.

all...

πᾶς

pas

pas

Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole: - all (manner of, means) alway (-s), any (one), X daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no (-thing), X throughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.

these things...

ταῦτα

tauta

tow'-tah

Nomitive or accusative neuter plural of the he; these things: - + afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, so, such, that, then, these, they, this, those, thus.

that shall...

μέλλω

mellō

mel'-lo

A strengthened form of to be of interest to (through the idea of expectation); to intend, that is, be about to be, do, or suffer something (of persons or things, especially events; in the sense of purpose, duty, necessity, probability, possibility, or hesitation): - about, after that, be (almost), (that which is, things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point, (be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards, hereafter) tarry, which was for, will, would, be yet.

come to pass,...

γίνομαι

ginomai

ghin'-om-ahee

A prolonged and middle form of a primary verb; to cause to be (“gen” -erate), that is, (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literally, figuratively, intensively, etc.): - arise be assembled, be (come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, be done, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.

and...

καί

kai

kahee

Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.

to stand...

ἵστημι

histēmi

his'-tay-mee

A prolonged form of a primary word στάω staō (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively): - abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up).

before...

ἔμπροσθεν

emprosthen

em'-pros-then

From fixed position and forward to; in front of (in place [literally or figuratively] or time): - against, at, before, (in presence, sight) of.

the...

ὁ, ἡ, τό

ho hē to

ho, hay, to

The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom): - the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

Son (Christ)...

υἱός

uihos

hwee-os'

Apparently a primary word; a “son” (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figurative kinship: - child, foal, son.

of man...

ἄνθρωπος

anthrōpos

anth'-ro-pos

From a man and ὤψ ōps (the countenance; from to gaze); man-faced, that is, a human being: - certain, man.