The point is that spiritual readiness isn't about last-minute scrambling; it's about consistent, daily preparation.
Have you ever noticed how time seems to speed up as you get older? One minute you're planning your summer vacation, and the next thing you know, you're hanging up Christmas lights again. Well, let me tell you something that might make your head spin even more: the greatest countdown in history is already underway—the return of Jesus Christ.
However, let me assure you—this is a message of hope, not fear. As the Apostle Paul reminds us in Titus 2:13, we're waiting for "that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." That's right—blessed hope, not blind panic.
Let's be honest, though. When we hear about Jesus coming back, our reactions can be... well, complicated. Some of us might feel a little like a student who just remembered he has a test he didn't study for. Others might be so excited they're practically packing their suitcase. But here's the beautiful truth: if you're in Christ, you don't need to fear this divine appointment. As 1 John 4:17 says, "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment."
Think of it this way: imagine you're expecting a visit from someone you deeply love—maybe a best friend you haven't seen in years or a family member living abroad. You're not dreading their arrival; you're counting down the days! That's exactly how we should view Jesus's return. It's the ultimate reunion, and trust me, it'll be way better than any high school get-together you've ever attended.
Why His Return Matters
In a world obsessed with the next big thing, why should we care about Jesus's return? Well, for starters, it's not just another event to add to your Google calendar. This is the moment everything changes.
And, when you think about it, the return of Christ is the ultimate plot twist in humanity's story. And, according to Peter's letter in 2 Peter 3:10, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."
Now, here's the thing: for believers, this isn't a disaster movie; it's a rescue mission. When Jesus returns, every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4), all of our world's brokenness will be repaired, and we will finally have answers to life's most pressing questions.
This event gives our lives context and purpose. It reminds us that our daily grind isn't just about paying bills and trying to beat traffic. Everything we do has eternal significance because we're living in light of His return. James 5:8 encourages us to "be ye also patient; establish your hearts; for the coming of the Lord draweth near." It's like knowing the end of the book while you're still in the middle chapters—it changes how you read every page.
Living in Expectation
If you've been paying attention to the world lately, and unless you've been living under a rock—which, given the state of things, might not be a bad idea—you've probably noticed that things are getting, well, interesting. And by interesting, I mean exactly how Jesus described in Matthew 24:6-8: "And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars... For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places."
Now, I am not saying that we should start looking for signs of the end of the world everywhere, but we should be aware of the times we live in. Jesus Himself said in Luke 21:28, "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift your heads; for your redemption draweth near." He seems to be saying, "Get excited and do not hide under the covers when the world starts looking like a Hollywood disaster movie!"
Living in expectation doesn't mean wearing "Jesus is Coming Soon" t-shirts while standing on street corners with a megaphone. It means living with purpose, knowing that every day brings us closer to that ultimate reunion. As Paul wrote in Romans 13:11, "And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awaken out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."
Being Ready
So, what does being ready for Jesus's return look like? Being ready is about living in a state of spiritual preparedness, like a holy Boy Scout—always prepared, minus the questionable shorts.
Jesus gave us a perfect picture of readiness in the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Half of them had extra oil for their lamps, while the rest did not. Well, let's say the ones without wouldn't have made it through a modern-day power outage. The point is that spiritual readiness isn't about last-minute scrambling; it's about consistent, daily preparation.
This means keeping our spiritual lamps filled through prayer, Bible study, and active faith. As Paul advised in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." And by sober, he didn't just mean avoiding too much communion wine—he meant being alert in our spiritual lives.
Practical Steps to Prepare
How do we prepare for Jesus's return? First, don't worry—you won't need to buy a special "End Times Survival Kit" or learn how to live off grasshoppers, although John the Baptist might disagree. The preparation Jesus is looking for is spiritual, not survivalist.
Start with your relationship with God. As Jesus said in John 15:4, "Abide in me, and I in you." This is not just a passing acquaintance where you only check in when you need something. It's about developing a deep, daily walk with the Lord. Think of it as the ultimate long-distance relationship, except God always answers His texts and never ghosts you.
Next, examine your heart regularly. Psalm 139:23-24 says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." This isn't about beating yourself up over every little mistake, but rather about maintaining a clean heart before God. Think of it as spiritual housekeeping—nobody likes unexpected visitors when the house is a mess!
Finally, be active in sharing your faith. Jesus's last command before ascending in Matthew 28:19 was to "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations." We're not just waiting for His return; we're working while we wait. It's like being part of the ultimate wedding planning committee—we want to make sure as many people as possible are ready for the big day.
The Joy of Anticipation
The return of Jesus is the culmination of everything we believe, the moment when faith becomes sight, and let me tell you, it's going to be more exciting than finding an empty parking spot right in front of the store.
The Apostle John caught a glimpse of this joy and wrote in Revelation 22:20, "He who testifies these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." That's not just casual "Yeah, see you when I see you." That's the eager anticipation of someone who can hardly wait for the reunion!
Think about it—we're not just waiting for an event; we're waiting for a person. The same Jesus who walked on water, who turned water into wine, who loved us enough to die for us—He's the One who's coming back. As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:8, there's a crown of righteousness waiting "for all them also that love his appearing."
Remember that being ready for Jesus's return isn't about perfection—it's about direction. Are we moving towards Him, even if sometimes it feels like we're taking two steps forward and one step back? Are we living each day with the possibility that we will hear the heavenly trumpet call?
The countdown has begun, and while we don't know the exact time remaining, we know who holds the timer. So let's live with hope, purpose, and maybe just a touch of holy excitement. After all, the King is on his way, and believe me, this is not an arrival you want to miss!
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/DjelicS
