And yet the very prophecy that describes that oncoming war warns of persons who may not stay awake. This warning is sandwiched right in between mention of “the war of the great day of God the Almighty” and “Har–Magedon.” It is the Lord Jesus Christ himself who gives the warning: “Look! I am coming as a thief. Happy is the one that stays awake and keeps his outer garments, that he may not walk naked and people look upon his shamefulness.” Those in the priestly service of God today, and also the “great crowd,” must be careful not to lose their garments of identification. And what is it that identifies them as God’s servants today? Why, it is their zealous works, as they talk with people at their homes and in public places, and their practicing in their lives the same fine Christian principles that they recommend to others. For a servant of God to fall asleep spiritually would bring him great shame. He would be stripped of his identity as a witness of the true God. This would be disastrous on the eve of “the war of the great day of God the Almighty.”​—Rev. 16:14-16.

5. What did Jesus emphasize when speaking of the “conclusion of the system of things”?

⁵ The Lord Jesus Christ prophesied plainly concerning our day. Repeatedly in these prophecies, he emphasized the need for our keeping awake. Here are some of his sayings, as variously reported:

“Keep on the watch, therefore, because you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”​—Matt. 24:42.

“Prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming.”​—Matt. 24:44.

“Keep on the watch, therefore, because you know neither the day nor the hour.”​—Matt. 25:13.

“You, then, watch out; I have told you all things beforehand.”​—Mark 13:23.

“Keep looking, keep awake, for you do not know when the appointed time is.”​—Mark 13:33.

“Keep on the watch, for you do not know when the master . . . is coming.”​—Mark 13:35.

“What I say to you I say to all, Keep on the watch.”​—Mark 13:37.

“Happy are those slaves whom the master on arriving finds watching!”​—Luke 12:37.

“Keep ready, because at an hour that you do not think likely the Son of man is coming.”​—Luke 12:40.

“Suddenly that day [will] be instantly upon you as a snare. For it will come in upon all those dwelling upon the face of all the earth. Keep awake, then.”​—Luke 21:34-36.

6. What does Jesus stress with regard to “the things that must shortly take place”?

⁶ Also, in his final revelation concerning “the things that must shortly take place,” Jesus again stresses the suddenness with which he comes:

“I am coming to you quickly . . . I am coming quickly. Keep on holding fast what you have.”​—Rev. 2:16; 3:11.

“Look! I am coming quickly. . . . Yes; I am coming quickly.” (Rev. 22:7,  20)