Staying Ready

Jesus talked about His return in Matthew chapter 24 and He encouraged His followers to be ready, for no one knows the time or the hour that this would take place except for God Himself.

Read what He said in Matthew 24:36-41, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.”

Then Jesus went on and talked about His faithful servants and the way they should be preparing for His return, read verses 44-47, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.”

Then Jesus went on and talked about the evil servant and what his reward would be, read verses 48-51, “But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

People, these words were spoken for our benefit so that we would be about our heavenly Father’s business while we wait for Jesus to return which will ultimately take place someday in the future.  We have to be very careful that we don’t keep ourselves so busy, trying to figure out when the Lord is coming back, that we neglect the things that we should be doing to be prepared for His coming.  Christ’s second coming will happen quickly.  The Lord has not kept us in the dark about these things, but He has warned us ahead of time so that we can be ready and waiting if we are still here at the time.  I want to hear these words that Paul spoke of, “Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into thy rest.”  The best way to prepare for the Lord’s return is to continue to further God’s kingdom while we wait and to be faithful to His calling on our lives.

Before a person can be ready for the Lord’s coming they must be born of the Spirit and water, in other words, they must be born-again.  Jesus said this to a Pharisee named Nicodemus in John 3:3-7, “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’

Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’

Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

Now read what Jesus said in verses 13-16 “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

If you would like to have a personal relationship with the Lord and be ready when He returns, tell Him that is what you desire.  Tell Him you are sorry, you have sinned against Him and ask Him to forgive you, then ask Him to come into your heart and life and to be your Lord and Savior.  Don’t be in a hurry, take your time and let the Lord fill you with His perfect peace, love and joy then go forth rejoicing and share what has happened to you with others and start growing in your new found faith.  Seek to find a church that preaches the Bible and fellowship with other believers, then stay ready for His coming.  Something to think about!  May you have a super day and may God bless you and yours!!