READINESS. — The expression ylveade eroifxoi, ' Be ye ready, ' is employed by Christ to denote the necessity for constant readiness to receive Him at His Second Coming (Mt 24*^ Lk 12'"'). Closely akin to it in meaning is the more frequently used yp-qyopelre, ' Watch ye,' the word with which Christ demands constant watchfulness for the day of His Parousia (Mt 24« 2b^\ Mk \Z^^-^, Lk 2P"). The two terms are used almost interchangeably in Mt 2442. 44^ g^g jg evident from the fact that the illus- tration of the necessity for watchfulness by the case of the negligent householder who suffers his house to be broken through (Mt 24^^), is followed by the exhortation to readiness in the next ver.se ; further evidence being found in the parable of the Ten Virgins, where the proper performance of the duty enjoined in Mt 25^3 (' Wafcch, therefore') is exhibited in the careful preparation made by the wise virgins, who are described as al €TOLfj.oi, for the coming of the bridegroom.
The duty of being constantly prepared for the return of Christ is rendered urgent by the fact that the time of its occurrence is known only to the Father, and, being concealed even from the Son, cannot be communicated to the disciples (Mk 13^-). It is the ignorance of the disciples as to the day and the hour of the final Advent Avhich lends point and emphasis to Christ's exhortations in prospect of it (Mt 24«- « 25l^ Mk 133^- ^5, Lk 124«).
If, as some (Weiss, Charles) maintain, He foretold that the fall of Jerusalem would be the immediate prelude to the end of the world, thus furnishing the disciples with a certain clue to the date of the latter event (Mt 2432I-), the need for such exhorta- tions is far from obvious, and indeed inexplicable, based as they are on the utter uncertainty that prevailed as to the time of the end. In the case of the earlier event, exhortations to watch- fulness are wanting, the signs of its approach being quite un- mistakable ; in the case of the later event, they are frequent, the date of its arrival being quite unknown. Weiss admits that 'anv determination of the day of His return, even if it had been possible, would onl.y have rocked the disciples in false security '
(Life of Christ, iii. 93). The truth is, the question is one on which our Lord declined to dogmatize ; and while His confession of nescience regarding the end (Mk 1332) did not preclude the Ijossibility of its speedy occurrence, neither did it preclude the possibility that it might be long deferred. He undoubtedly favoured the idea that the latter alternative was much the more likely one. ' There are distinct hints in some passages (Mt 2448 2519, Jlk 13-i5) that the end may be delayed beyond all human anticipation, and that "an indefinitely long night of history" may intervene before the return of the Lord' (Forrest, The Authority of Christ, jj. 322).
The parables and parabolic sayings in the Syn- optics (Mt 24^--253o, Mk IS^^'^^, Lk 1235-48 1911-27)^ intended to enforce the lesson of constant readiness for the Second Coming, may be described as j^arting counsels and admonitions to the disciples for the guidance of their conduct during the period, in- definitely prolonged, which must elapse between Christ's departure from the world, then impending, and His return at the close of the present disjiensa- tion. They all jiroceed upon the assumption that membership of the Kingdom during its earthly development does not, ipso facto, guarantee fitness for a place in the perfected Kingdom to be in- augurated at Christ's return. The period of His absence is a period of probation for His disciples, who are to be tested individually, and are expected to prove their individual fitness for the glorious Kingdom of the future. ' Every man ' has his own proper sjihere and work assigned him (Mt 25^^'-, Mk IS^"*, Lk 19^3), and the lack of personal prepared- ness cannot be made up for by connexion with the believing community, animated by the common hope of the Lord's appearing (Mt 25'* -• ^).
Preparedness for the last Advent naturally de- pends on maintenance of the moral and spiritual qualities, and continued performance of the duties, pertaining to members of the Kingdom of God — qualities and duties fully described in the teaching of Christ throughout His ministry. The fact of His departure involves no alteration in His great requirements, which are ever the same ; it involves merely a de^jiened responsibility, an increased sense of gravity on the part of the disciples, whose con- duct is to be constantly regulated and controlled henceforward by the thought of its bearing upon future destiny. Wendt remarks that ' since Christ's ideas of the future are comparatively general and indefinite. His admonitions regarding the future always retain a comparatively general character.' Directions in greater detail were not needed. The character and conduct required on the part of the discijiles, as outlined in Christ's previous teaching, are calculated to satisfy the most stringent tests. The only difference is that they must now be formed under the altered conditions presented by the with- drawal of Christ's visible presence. The proper attitude of the disciple has to be preserved in face of the difficulties, perils, and temptations incident to (1) Christ's unexj^ectedly prolonged absence, and (2) His sudden and unexpected return.