READING: Matthew 24-25
I was so certain of Jesus’ return in the 1970s that I was sure I would never graduate from high school (and that was a long, long time ago). All the signs of Matthew 24, I thought, were being fulfilled before our eyes. False Christs were appearing. Wars were going on. Famines and earthquakes were happening. Wickedness was increasing. It all seemed clear to me: the 2nd coming was upon us.
My prediction was wrong then, and I’m not sure I fully understand all the “signs” to this day. What I’ve learned since those days, though, is this: the signs do warn us about His coming, His coming is necessarily closer today than it was then, and our calling is simply to be working and watching for His return. His coming will be as sudden and as public as “lighting that comes from the east is visible even in the west” (Matt 24:27), so we must be ready every moment.
Life will go on in the meantime, as it did in Noah’s day when the people were “eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage” (Matt 24:38), with people thoroughly unprepared for judgment to come. Some will live like they want, saying to themselves, Jesus “is staying away a long time” (Matt 24:48). Others will be like the foolish virgins of Matthew 25:1-13, waiting until the bridegroom comes before they make the necessary preparations for His return — when it will be too late. They will cry for the Lord to open the door, and He will say only, “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you” (Matt 25:12). Their delay in responding to the Lord will lead to their death and judgment.
I want to be ready when the bridegroom comes again. That means I must be ready today.
Actually, I must be ready now.
ACTION STEPS:
- If Jesus were to return now, would you be ready? If not, do what you must to get ready. Confess your sin. Trust Him. Repent from sin if you are a believer.
- Pray today for at least three people that you suspect are not ready for Jesus’ return.
PRAYER: “Lord, I want to be ready for Your return, and I want my family and friends to be ready, too. Give me courage to repent over my sins and then tell others about You.”
TOMORROW'S READING: Matthew 26