“YOU MUST BE READY!”
(Matthew 24:32 – 25:46; Mark 13:28-37; Luke 21:28-38)
“…you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” – Matthew 24:44
I have to admit – I am a stickler for being prompt and on time. It would be a very rare occurrence for me to ever be late for any appointment. I grew up under the influence of this phrase – “If you are on time, you’re late!” That means if you simply show up at the designated time, you then haven’t had sufficient time to be ready for what you are there for! You need to be ready!
The Bible tells us that there are some people who will not be ready for Christ’s return! 2 Peter 3:4 says that “they will say, ‘What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.’”
The truth is, when you look around at the world we live in, and examine the things happening around us, it is clear that we are closer to Christ’s return today than ever before!
So, how do we make ourselves “ready”?
- Keep your eyes open! Although we can’t know “the day or the hour,” we can see the condition of the world around us. Learn the lesson of the fig tree! (Luke 24:32-34)
- Stay awake! If you knew when a burglar was coming to rob you, you wouldn’t fall asleep then! (Luke 24:43-44)
- Be prepared! Don’t let yourself become compromised! Stay alert! (Luke 25:1-13)
- Be wise! Use whatever God has given you wisely and properly! (Luke 25:14-30)
- Be generous! Be a blessing to others, be generous to those in need, even to “the least of these” (Luke 25:31-46)
Simple Truth:
It’s not up to us to determine the date of Christ’s return. It IS up to us to serve Him and look for Him as we wait!
Reflections & Application:
- What are your plans for today? Would you want to be found doing what you are doing when Christ returns?
- The old saying is “actions speak louder than words.” As a believer in Christ, what we do each and every day is far more important that simply what we say on a Sunday morning!
- As we see and hear reports of all the things happening in our world today, make a choice to see things as a sign of His return, rather than focusing on all the negativity and evil.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I know that this world is not my home – I am an ambassador here, representing the Kingdom of God. Help me to do and to say what would best represent the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About our Author
Tim Satryan has been in full time ministry since 1980. He has served five churches in four states. He has also served as the District Youth and Music Director for the PennDel Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, was the Presbyter for the state of Delaware for over a decade, and for a number of years traveled with the AG Church Multiplication Network, teaching church planting and church revitalization.
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