Do you remember that Jesus said, "Pray that your flight be not in the winter nor on the sabbath day"? Matthew 24:20

Everything he says has a deeper, spiritual meaning. So what is his warning? You do not want your departure from earth to be in winter or on the sabbath.



What is winter, spiritually speaking? Is it not the condition of a man's heart that is cold and dark? A man in this state has let his love diminish. He is selfish and has little love for God or his fellow man. In winter, plants do not grow or produce fruit like they do in the summer. A man whose heart is in a state of winter is also not producing the fruit of the spirit. He appears dead, as trees that have no leaves. If the condition of his heart is like winter, he is not ready to meet the Lord.

And what is the sabbath, spiritually speaking? Is it not the condition of a man who is resting in the pleasures of this world? He might be exerting effort on worldly things but doing nothing for the Lord. He could be about his Father's business harvesting fruit for God's kingdom, but on his sabbath day he is idle. An idle servant is not ready to meet his Master.

Jesus warns us to pray so that our hearts do not become cold and wicked.... and do not be slothful in God's work. It would be better for you that your departure from earth would be when there is warmth in your heart with love for God and for fellow man, and on a day you are found serving the Lord, so that when you meet the Lord you hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."