"You don't understand. We're here, twenty-four seven. And you get to go home." I heard this often during the thirteen years I taught at the Clearfield Job Corps Center. This catch phrase, "Twenty-four seven" was used by those who were homesick or had their pass privileges revoked, restricting them to the campus.

Job Corps is not a jail or facility for those convicted of criminal activities, but rather is a vocational training school funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. The majority of the students attend classes during the day and live in the center's dormitories. Twenty-four seven may seem like forever or eternity; however, it is only a way of saying, "Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week."

With a little imagination, I believe the twenty-four seven concept can be found in sacred scriptures. We are called upon to pray continually, without ceasing, giving thanks to God no matter the circumstance, and are to endure through times of trial and tribulation. Paul in I Thessalonians speaks of Christ's return and warns us not to get caught up in times and dates (signs), but exhorts us to be ready. We are to be prepared by becoming alert and self-controlled.

In Luke 2:36-38, we read about Anna, who is said to have never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. She was waiting for the Messiah and did not want to miss Him. We too are to be continually on guard and ready for Christ's Second Coming.

Reading and studying God's word is one way to become ready. In Joshua 1:8 we read, "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it." See also Psalm 1:2.

Salvation; however, does not come by merely knowing the words contained in God's word, but by knowing God. In I Thessalonians 5:8 and Ephesians 6:10-17 we are called to put on the Spiritual armor and to receive salvation which comes only through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Bible also talks about Satan and his future in Revelations 20:10. "And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night [twenty-four seven] for ever and ever." The twenty-four seven emphasis is mine, yet I do not believe we can fully grasp the concept of eternity while living here on earth. Nevertheless, we have all experienced days that seem like they will never end.

The students were probably correct when they said I did understand. However, as a Christian, I am not called to understand or to get caught up in all of the signs of the end times, but rather I am to test everything, hold on to good, and avoid evil. I am to hold firm to Christ, His redemptive work on the cross, and look forward to one day when He will return. I then will be sanctified through and through and will appear blameless before the Father. I am called to be alert and ready and one day I will go home to live eternally with my Heavenly Father twenty-four seven.