The Return Question: Why Watchfulness is Our New Discipleship
The doctrine of The Lord’s Return is not merely a futuristic timeline to be debated; it is the fundamental call to present-day action. For the follower of Christ, the expectation of the Second Advent transforms the meaning of discipleship. It shifts the focus from passively waiting to actively watching, reframing our spiritual lives around the ultimate question: What should a believer be doing when Christ returns?
The Scriptures, particularly in the King James Version, present watchfulness as a demanding, practical spiritual discipline—the very essence of preparation.
I. The Call to Be “Found Doing”: Defining Active Expectation
Jesus consistently taught His followers to maintain a posture of constant readiness, establishing the precedent that the nature of one’s actions at the moment of His return is paramount. The goal is to be “found doing” the Master’s will, not merely waiting for the Master.
The most concise and challenging definition of watchfulness is found in the Synoptic Gospels:
“Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” (Luke 12:43, KJV)
This statement transforms the abstract concept of Christ’s return into a spiritual accountability metric. The focus is not on recognizing the timing of the end but on the condition of the servant’s heart and hands. The quality of discipleship in this age is measured by faithfulness and diligence in our assigned tasks—the ultimate “weekly spiritual goal.”
II. The Parables of Diligence: A Mandate for Productive Waiting
Christ provided specific parables to illustrate this necessary vigilance, revealing that failure to watch is synonymous with spiritual negligence.
The Parable of the Talents
This parable (Matthew 25:14-30) stands as the definitive presentation of productive waiting. The master’s departure is an opportunity, not a vacation. The servants are judged not by the specific gifts (talents) they received, but by their diligence in using them.
- The Condemnation: The servant who merely preserved his talent, motivated by fear and misunderstanding, was cast out. His sin was not losing the talent, but inactivity.
- The Discipleship Standard: We are commanded to invest our spiritual gifts, time, and resources for the Kingdom, accepting risk in the expectation of the Master’s return. The Return Question demands that we are increasing the Master’s wealth, not merely guarding our own.
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
This parable (Matthew 25:1-13) addresses the importance of sustainability in spiritual watchfulness. All ten virgins were expecting the Bridegroom, and all ten slept. The fatal distinction lay in the sufficiency of preparation:
- The Separation: The foolish virgins lacked oil—a universal biblical symbol for the Holy Spirit and sustained spiritual life. Their failure was not in falling asleep, but in neglecting the ongoing replenishment of their spiritual reservoir.
- The Discipleship Standard: Watchfulness is not a single, dramatic moment of readiness; it is a protracted, daily commitment to maintaining a vibrant relationship with the Holy Spirit. Spiritual life must be fueled by enduring spiritual disciplines—not just transient enthusiasm.
III. Watchfulness as a Prophetic Hotspot
For the believer in The Lord’s Return, active expectation becomes a Prophetic Hotspot—the confluence where future truth inspires present holiness.
| The Prophetic Hotspot | Focus of Watchfulness | KJV Scripture Reference |
| Purity and Sanctification | Living a life that honors the coming King. | “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3) |
| Accountability | Handling our resources as managers, not owners. | “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2) |
| Love and Service | Continuing the Master’s work until He arrives. | “But we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end.” (Hebrews 6:11) |
The true meaning of “The Return Question” is a call to a consecrated life. To watch is to dedicate oneself to the pursuit of holiness, service, and love, ensuring that we are actively engaged in the Master’s work, prepared for His imminent arrival. This active expectation is the highest form of discipleship in the time before The Lord’s Return.