It is folly to attempt to determine the hour, day, or year of Christ’s coming (see on v. 36). Had it been necessary or desirable for the Christian to know the time, God would have made it known to him. But enough has been revealed so that he may know when the event is near. Knowing that it is near, he is called upon to watch and be ready.

 This is the third of the great trio of admonitions of the discourse—“take heed” (v. 4), “watch” (v. 42), “be ... ready” (v. 44). “The crisis is stealing gradually upon us” (DA 636) as we go about our daily round of activities. He who sincerely looks for the coming of Jesus will be ready, whenever his Lord may appear.