Even though we are to walk in a attitude of rejoicing we also need to remember that it is not a time to set back in a relaxed mode. This is the message I speak every day now.
The times we live in are perilous times. It is hard to turn on the news without some major event happening bringing death and destruction. There has only been one other time in the history of man that the world as a whole was like it is today, and that was in the days of Noah right before the flood. Our Lord that in the last days it would be as the days of Noah.
Genesis 6:5 ESV The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Psalms 14:2-5 ESV The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. (3) They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. (4) Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD? (5) There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous.
Matthew 24:37-39 ESV For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (38) For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, (39) and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.