I am by nature a planner. I like things organized and ready for whatever event I am approaching. I love the process of thinking it through in my head and laying out the plan. When planning a meal for company, I plan what I will serve based on who and how many will be there. If the meal will be served on a Sunday after church, it needs to be something I can prepare ahead of time. Then, I plan what I will do with the leftovers. If I am on a diet, leftovers need to be something I can freeze to not be tempted. This also takes care of another pet peeve: being wasteful. I plan every aspect, from the original thought to the cleanup. I use this same approach for almost everything I do. The most important planning any of us do is spiritual. We all plan by thinking it through and being prepared or by putting it off. Procrastination is still planning. You are planning to not do it. Think, what are you doing to plan for the Lord’s return?
Revelation 16:15 (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”)
Are you prepared for the Lord’s return? Revelation 16:15 describes him as coming as a thief in the night—suddenly and unexpectedly. No one knows when he will return, not even Jesus himself. Only God the Father knows the exact time.
Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
We all would say if we knew when a thief was coming to rob us, we would be sitting ready and waiting. Some would have a gun loaded, others would notify the authorities, so they would be ready for the capture.
In Revelation 16:15, we are told to be ready. John records Jesus’ words when he states we will be “blessed” or fully satisfied when He returns if we have stayed awake and ready. We are to remain prepared with our garments on and clean. The powers of evil are all around us, and it is very easy for us to get accustomed to our surroundings and let down our guard. Like the soldier who stands for hours and sees nothing from his post, he determines there is no danger lurking about, so he lays down his weapon, takes off his protective gear, and takes a little nap. He has been lulled into a false sense of security. This false sense of security continues until he is in a deep sleep. Then, after patiently waiting, the enemy comes, and he is not ready. His outer garments have been laid aside so he can get comfortable. Now, he is exposed, and he has no protection. He is ashamed because he is naked before the enemy. He would have been ready if he had only been diligent and not given into the comforts of the flesh.
All those who believe in Jesus Christ know that one day, He will return. Paul speaks of His return in I Thessalonians 4:16-17, Luke in Luke 12:40, Matthew in 24:1-51, Paul in I Corinthians 15:32, and I could go on and on. There are over 100 verses in scripture that refer to the second coming of Jesus Christ. How much more evidence do we need to convince us to be ready?
I Thessalonians 4:16-17 “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 so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
Luke 12:40 “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”
How awful if He returns while you are spiritually asleep? Will you be sinning when He returns, taking it easy in the recliner of life, watching a show that is not honoring to Him but against His teachings? Having the comforts of this world is not bad, but He does not call us to comfort. I believe the comforts he gives us are given to share His love with others. He does not bestow gifts on us simply for us to enjoy. He calls us to be active and attentive to the spiritual needs of our own hearts and those around us.
If you want to be an active, energized Christian when He returns, you must train yourself to be diligent in all you do now. If you allow your physical desires to govern how you act, you are already on the pathway to being a slothful Christian.
One day He is coming back, how will He find you? Eagerly watching, busy telling others to get ready, hoping and praying that any day He will return and take you home? What will you do today that you would be pleased to be found doing when He returns? What will you do that you would not want to be doing upon His return?
Revelation 22:12 “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”
