Susan,

Thanks for the words on staying awake as we watch for our Lord's return. We know that Jesus was upset that the disciples did not stay awake in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion but I cannot say that applies to the Rapture. As you say, it all depends on how we interpret his words about watching. You approach these words in a broader interpretation, rather than literally.

Yes, I agree we all need our rest at night to be ready for the coming day. It makes a lot of sense that Jesus would not want us to be dangerously sleepy, especially if we are not 100% certain of the day, or night, of his return. But I probably could not stay awake even if I wanted to, so there is no worry about that.

As for him coming as a thief, that seems to apply to those who do not believe and read the Word about his return. To those who are looking for his return, he will not be coming unexpectedly like a thief.

My prayer for all of us watchers is that if we are meant to be awake, that the Holy Spirit within us will awaken us at the right time so we will be ready when he returns to take us away! A thought just occurred to me: if the dead in Christ are resurrected first, as we a re told in 1 Thess. 4, and if the resurrection is accompanied by an earthquake as described in detail in the book Earthquake Resurrection by David Lowe, then all the noise and shaking should be sufficient to awaken us! I will hold onto that thought for now.

Robert