Matthew 24:42
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. KJV

Christ told His disciples several times to watch and pray throughout the Gospels. Many think he meant to just looking around for signs and we will be magically raptured out to spectate from Heaven. On the contrary, the context clearly had to do with “The End-Times, living as a Christian, and  keeping the commandments through the Holy Spirit”.

“The Greek New Testament word for ‘Watch’ that Christ uses in Matthew 24 is ‘Gregoreuo’…Strong’s number 1127. Used a total of 23 times in the New Testament. ‘Gregoreuo’ has a meaning of…give strict attention, be cautious, active, to take heed lest through remission (decrease, cutback) and indolence (lethargy, stupor, sluggishness) some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one.”
Yeshumulungi quote


Examples: KJV
Matthew 24:43…But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Matthew 25:13…Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 26:38 …Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

Matthew 26:40…And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

Matthew 26:41…Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 13:34…For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Mark 13:35…Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Mark 13:37…And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

Mark 14:34…And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

Luke 12:37…Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Luke 12:39…And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watch ed, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.

1Corinthians 16:13…Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Colossians 4:2…Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

1Thessalonians 5:6…Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

1Peter 5:8…Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Revelation 3:2…Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Revelation 3:3…Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

Revelation 16:15…Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watch eth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

If you review what happened in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus told His disciples to watch, but they fell asleep and were overtaken. He was not happy. This is the same attitude that He warns us about in Matt 24, Mark 13, Luke 12, Thess. 4 and Revelations 16:15.

‘Keep guard’ and ‘be awake during the night’,
To Take Heed lest Through Remission and Indolence some Destructive Calamity suddenly overtakes you.
Yesumulungi quote.

Because of the False Rapture doctrines, many are asleep and not preparing for the Birth pains or times of testing. They have fallen asleep in the drunken lust of this age. “Watching” points to the times we live in and harsh future times. The watch is also about preparation for His coming on that Day, whether we be alive or dead.

It has to do with our daily relationship with Jesus Christ today. We must seek His will and conform our lives to His will, not our own or the world’s programming. Praying, studying, practicing, teaching His commandments and warning others are the key. The Book of Revelations and Daniel was meant for our time and days. King Jesus wants us to know the truth so we’ll be set free indeed from the future events overcoming our lives. Staying alert and alive in Holy Spirit will mean life or everlasting death to those who take the mark of Beast.

The days coming ahead will require Christians to have special strength from the Holy Spirit to help us endure those times. This is why Jesus warns us to pray that we be worthy to escape these times and noted if we endured through these times, He would reward us. If you ask any athlete, student, or soldier: was it easier to prepare for their challenges, they will tell you preparation was the key.

This is serious business and we had better not fall asleep chasing after the world and all its lusts no matter how many so called Christians are doing it. The early Christians and those currently persecuted for Jesus will tell you that it takes a real relationship with Jesus Christ to suffer and die for Him. Comfortable promises like the Apostle Peter made not ensure your endurance during those times.

Proverbs 8:34-36
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. KJV

James 5:7-12
So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s return. Think of how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near. Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates! As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name. Think of how we regard as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. And above all, my brothers and sisters do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath. But let your “Yes” be yes and your “No” be no, so that you may not fall into judgment. Net Bible

References:
Holy Bible:
1. NET translation (KJV).
2. King James Version (KJV)
3. http://www.yesumulungi.com/index.htm