Instructions for Those Waiting and Watching for Jesus to Appear and Gather His Bride

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

You Prayed the Prayer. You Surrendered. You Received. Now What?

If you just prayed that prayer from your heart—if you surrendered to Jesus, received His grace, and became like a little child—you are saved. You are His. You are the Bride.

But now what?

How do you live while you’re waiting for the Bridegroom?

How do you watch? How do you prepare? How do you persevere?

The answer is found in Romans 12—the entire chapter—which gives us specific, practical instructions for HOW to live as those who are:

- Dead to SELF
- Alive in Christ
- Waiting for His return
- Watching for the Harpazo

Let’s walk through it verse by verse.

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Romans 12:1 — Present Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

What This Means:

“By the MERCIES of God.”

Everything starts with God’s mercy. Not your effort. Not your performance. His MERCY.

“Present your bodies.”

Not just your heart. Not just your mind. Your BODY.

Your physical actions. Your daily choices. Your hands, feet, mouth, eyes—all of you.

“A LIVING sacrifice.”

In the Old Testament, sacrifices were DEAD animals offered to God.

But you are a LIVING sacrifice—alive in Christ, but dead to SELF.

Daily offering yourself to God. Daily surrendering. Daily dying to SELF.

“Holy, acceptable unto God.”

Not by your own holiness. By HIS holiness IN you.

You are acceptable to God because of CHRIST, not because of your performance.

“Your reasonable service.”

This isn’t an extreme request. This is the REASONABLE response to the mercies of God.

What You Do

Every morning when you wake up, pray:

“Father, I present my body to You today as a living sacrifice. My hands are Yours. My feet are Yours. My mouth is Yours. My eyes are Yours. My heart is Yours. Use me for Your glory. I am Yours.”

Then throughout the day, ASK:

“Is this action—this choice, this word, this thought—presenting my body as a living sacrifice? Or am I taking back control?”

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Romans 12:2 — Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

What This Means:

“Be NOT conformed to this world.”

Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold. Don’t adopt its values, its priorities, its definition of success, its standard of “good.”

“But be ye TRANSFORMED.”

Passive voice. You don’t transform yourself. God transforms you.

But you must cooperate. You must yield. You must allow it.

“By the RENEWING of your mind.”

Your mind must be RENEWED—rebuilt, reprogrammed, washed by the Word of God.

“That ye may PROVE what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

As your mind is renewed, you’ll be able to DISCERN God’s will—what is truly good (not the world’s “good”), acceptable (pleasing to Him), and perfect (complete, whole).

What You Do?

Read the Word of God DAILY.

Not just a verse here and there. DAILY, sustained time in Scripture.

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalm 119:11)

Let the Word WASH your mind.

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17)

Stop consuming the world’s content (media, entertainment, social platforms that conform you to worldly thinking).

Ask daily:

“Is my mind being conformed to the world, or transformed by the Word?”

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Romans 12:3 — Think Soberly About Yourself

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”

What This Means?

“Not to think of himself MORE HIGHLY than he ought to think.”

Don’t be PRIDEFUL. Don’t think you’re better than others. Don’t exalt yourself.

“But to think SOBERLY.”

Think REALISTICALLY. Think HONESTLY about yourself.

You are:

- A sinner saved by grace
- Utterly dependent on God
- Gifted by God (not by your own achievement)
- Part of a Body (not the whole Body)

“According as God hath DEALT to every man the MEASURE OF FAITH.”

Even your faith is a GIFT that God DEALT to you.

You didn’t produce it. You received it.

So there’s no room for pride.

What You Do?

Practice HUMILITY daily.

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10)

When you’re tempted to compare yourself to others, STOP.

When you’re tempted to boast about your accomplishments, REMEMBER:

“What hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)

Everything you have is a GIFT.

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Romans 12:4-5 — You Are One Body in Christ

“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.”

What This Means?

“We… are ONE BODY in Christ.”

You are not alone. You are not independent. You are part of a BODY.

“Every one members ONE OF ANOTHER.”

You need other believers. They need you.

What You Do?

Find other believers who are ALSO watching and waiting for Jesus.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)

“So much the MORE, as ye see the DAY APPROACHING.”

The closer we get to His return, the MORE we need fellowship with other watchmen.

Encourage one another. Build each other up. Pray together. Study together. Watch together.

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Romans 12:6-8 — Use Your Gifts to Serve the Body

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

What This Means?

“Having then GIFTS differing according to the GRACE that is given to us.”

God has given you spiritual gifts—abilities, talents, capacities to serve the Body.

They are GIFTS. You didn’t earn them. Grace gave them to you.

And each gift has a purpose:

- Prophecy = Speaking God’s Word with faith

- Ministry = Serving others practically

- Teaching = Explaining God’s truth clearly

- Exhortation = Encouraging and strengthening others

- Giving = Generously sharing resources

- Ruling = Leading with diligence and care

- Showing mercy = Compassionately helping those in need

What You Do?

Identify your gift(s).

Ask: “What has God equipped me to do in the Body? What comes naturally to me that serves others?”

Then USE your gift to serve the Body while we wait for Jesus.

Don’t hoard your gift. Don’t hide it. Don’t waste it.

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10)

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Romans 12:9 — Love Without Hypocrisy

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

What This Means?

“Let love be WITHOUT DISSIMULATION.”

Without hypocrisy. Without pretense. Without fakeness.

GENUINE love. Not performance love. Not “I’ll love you if you love me back” love.

REAL, selfless, grace-filled love.

“Abhor that which is EVIL.”

HATE evil. Don’t tolerate it. Don’t make excuses for it. Don’t call evil “good.”

“Cleave to that which is GOOD.”

CLING to good. Hold fast to it. Don’t let go.

What You Do?

Love people genuinely.

Even when it’s hard. Even when they don’t deserve it. Even when they mock you for watching.

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” (John 13:34)

But also—call out evil when you see it.

Don’t be silent when wickedness is called “good” and good is called “evil.”

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil.” (Isaiah 5:20)

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Romans 12:10 — Prefer One Another in Honor

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”

What This Means?

“In honour PREFERRING one another.”

Put others first. Esteem them more highly than yourself.

This is the opposite of SELF-promotion.

What You Do?

In your interactions with other believers:

- Listen more than you speak

- Serve rather than demanding to be served

- Honor their gifts and contributions

- Celebrate their victories instead of envying them

- Put their needs before your own

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philippians 2:3)

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Romans 12:11 — Serve the Lord with Fervent Spirit

“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”

What This Means:

“Not SLOTHFUL.”

Not lazy. Not complacent. Not passive.

“FERVENT in spirit.”

On fire. Passionate. Zealous.

“SERVING THE LORD.”

Your life is not about serving yourself. It’s about serving HIM.

What You Do?

Don’t become LAZY while you wait for Jesus.

“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Romans 13:11)

Stay ACTIVE:

- Read the Word daily
- Pray without ceasing
- Serve the Body
- Share the Gospel
- Encourage the weary
- Warn the lost
- Watch the signs

Work as if Jesus is coming today. Plan as if He’s not coming for a year. But ALWAYS be ready.

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Romans 12:12 — Rejoice, Be Patient, Continue in Prayer

“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”

What This Means?

“REJOICING in hope.”

Your hope is the blessed hope—the appearing of Jesus Christ.

Rejoice in it! Don’t be gloomy. Don’t be fearful. Don’t be anxious.

“Patient in TRIBULATION.”

Trials will come. Testing will come. The 40 days of wilderness. The refining fire.

Be PATIENT. Endure. Persevere.

“Continuing INSTANT in prayer.”

Constant prayer. Unceasing prayer. Always in communication with God.

What You Do?

Practice JOY daily.

Even when circumstances are hard. Even when the Bridegroom tarries. Even when mockers attack.

“Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” (James 1:2)

Endure trials with PATIENCE.

“Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” (James 1:4)

Pray constantly.

“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Morning prayers. Evening prayers. Throughout-the-day prayers. Arrow prayers. Intercession. Thanksgiving.

CONSTANT communion with God.

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Romans 12:13 — Distribute to the Needs of the Saints

“Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”

What This Means?

“DISTRIBUTING to the necessity of saints.”

When a fellow believer has a need, MEET IT.

Share your resources. Give generously.

“Given to HOSPITALITY.”

Open your home. Share meals. Welcome others.

What You Do?

When you see a need in the Body, ACT.

“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” (1 John 3:17)

Don’t hoard. GIVE.

Don’t isolate. WELCOME.

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Romans 12:14 — Bless Those Who Persecute You

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”

What This Means?

“BLESS them which PERSECUTE you.”

When people mock you for watching for Jesus’ return, BLESS THEM.

When they call you a false teacher, a date-setter, a fanatic—BLESS THEM.

“Bless, and CURSE NOT.”

Don’t retaliate. Don’t return evil for evil. Don’t curse them back.

What You Do?

When mockers attack, PRAY FOR THEM.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)

This is HARD. But it’s how Jesus responded to His persecutors.

And you can only do this by HIS GRACE working in you.

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Romans 12:15 — Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice, Weep with Those Who Weep

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

What This Means?

Enter into the emotions of others.

When they rejoice, rejoice WITH THEM (don’t envy, don’t minimize).

When they weep, weep WITH THEM (don’t dismiss, don’t lecture).

What You Do:

Be PRESENT with people.

Not just physically, but emotionally, spiritually.

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)

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Romans 12:16 — Be of the Same Mind, Don’t Be Prideful

“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”

What This Means?

“Be of the SAME MIND one toward another.”

Unity. Harmony. Agreement in the essentials.

“Mind not HIGH THINGS, but condescend to men of LOW ESTATE.”

Don’t seek status, position, recognition.

Associate with the humble, the lowly, the forgotten.

“Be not WISE in your own conceits.”

Don’t think you have all the answers. Don’t be arrogant about your knowledge.

What You Do?

Seek UNITY with other watchmen.

“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)

Serve the LOWLY, not just the influential.

Stay HUMBLE about your understanding of prophecy, timing, signs.

You don’t know everything. None of us do.

“For now we see through a glass, darkly.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

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Romans 12:17-18 — Live Peaceably with All Men

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

What This Means?

“Recompense to NO MAN evil for evil.”

Don’t repay evil with evil. Don’t take revenge.

“Provide things HONEST in the sight of all men.”

Live with integrity. Be above reproach. Don’t give people a reason to mock the Gospel because of your behavior.

“If it be possible, as much as LIETH IN YOU, live peaceably with all men.”

As much as it depends on YOU, pursue peace.

(Sometimes others won’t let you live peacefully. That’s on them, not you.)

What You Do?

Don’t retaliate when attacked.

Live with such integrity that even your enemies can’t legitimately accuse you.

Pursue peace wherever possible.

But remember: You cannot compromise TRUTH for the sake of peace.

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34)

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Romans 12:19 — Vengeance Belongs to God

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

What This Means?

“AVENGE NOT YOURSELVES.”

Don’t take revenge. Don’t get even. Don’t punish those who wrong you.

“Give place unto WRATH.”

Step aside. Let GOD handle it.

“VENGEANCE IS MINE; I will REPAY, saith the Lord.”

God WILL deal with the wicked. God WILL judge. God WILL repay.

That’s HIS job, not yours.

What You Do?

When you’re wronged, RELEASE IT TO GOD.

“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.” (Hebrews 10:30)

Trust that God WILL deal with those who mock, persecute, and reject His truth.

Your job? Forgive. Bless. Pray for them. Let God handle the rest.

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Romans 12:20 — Overcome Evil with Good

“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”

What This Means?

“If thine ENEMY hunger, FEED HIM.”

Meet the needs of even your ENEMIES.

Love them practically. Serve them tangibly.

“Thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”

Your kindness will either:

- Convict them and lead them to repentance

- Increase their judgment if they continue in wickedness

Either way, you’ve done what’s right.

What You Do?

When someone who mocked you has a need, MEET IT.

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” (Luke 6:35)

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Romans 12:21 — Overcome Evil with Good

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

What This Means?

“Be NOT OVERCOME of evil.”

Don’t let evil defeat you. Don’t let bitterness take root. Don’t let the mockers steal your joy or hope.

“OVERCOME evil with GOOD.”

The way to defeat evil is not with more evil. It’s with GOOD—the goodness of God flowing through you.

What You Do?

When evil tries to overwhelm you—persecution, mockery, discouragement, doubt—RESPOND WITH GOOD.

- Evil mocks? Respond with blessing.
- Evil hates? Respond with love.
- Evil attacks? Respond with prayer.
- Evil lies? Respond with truth.

This is SPIRITUAL WARFARE.

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

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The Harpazo Is Coming

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 - “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

“We which are ALIVE and REMAIN shall be CAUGHT UP.”

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 - “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”

“In a MOMENT, in the TWINKLING OF AN EYE.”

This is what you’re waiting for. This is what you’re watching for.

And while you wait:

- Present your body as a living sacrifice (v.1)
- Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (v.2)
- Think soberly about yourself (v.3)
- Function as part of the Body (v.4-8)
- Love genuinely (v.9-13)
- Bless those who persecute you (v.14)
- Live peaceably (v.17-18)
- Overcome evil with good (v.21)

This is how you LIVE while you WATCH.

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Final Exhortation

You prayed the prayer. You surrendered. You received.

Now LIVE like the Bride who’s waiting for her Bridegroom.

Not in fear. In FAITH.

Not in anxiety. In HOPE.

Not in striving. In REST.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Be STEDFAST. Be UNMOVEABLE. Keep ABOUNDING in His work.

Because your labor is NOT IN VAIN.

He is coming. Soon.

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” (Revelation 22:20)

Keep watching. Keep waiting. Keep living Romans 12.

The Bridegroom is at the door.

Maranatha!

Soli Deo Gloria—To God Alone Be the Glory

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