Be Prepared

It is critical that we understand that the Lord is coming back and will reward his servants if we are to remain faithful to him, as Hebrews 11:6 states.  “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”  an understanding of Christ’s return emphasizes that he will reward his servants.  Thus, in I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Paul tells us, “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and s shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 

While understanding that he is returning is crucial, we are to live by faith.  As a result, we are not told when Christ will return.   In Matthew 24:36, Jesus told his disciples, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”  Even the angels do not know when the Lord will return to establish his kingdom.  In Acts 1:7, he told them, “…It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” 

Knowing that God said it was not our business to know when Christ will return, Paul refused to speculate when it would happen, according to I Thessalonians 5:1-3.  “But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”  The one thing we can be sure of is that it will happen at a time when people, even Christians are not expecting it.   We just need to be ready at any time because Luke 12:40 warns, “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”   Anyone who thinks they know when it will happen has been deceived. 

While we don’t know when He will return, we are to get prepared so we’ll be ready whenever he does come.   I Thessalonians 5:4-11 reminds us, “But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”

Instead of wasting our time trying to figure out when the Lord will return, like an army recruit in basic training, we need to get prepared so when the time comes we will be ready.  Ephesians 6:11-20 describes the process.  “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

As Jesus said in Matthew 24:44, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”    As the Boy Scout motto says, “Be Prepared”