Are You Ready?
Jesus told His apostles before His crucifixion, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:3) The Lord made it clear, then, that one day He would return to earth.
Jesus hasn’t returned yet. Peter warned, “…there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.” (2 Peter 3:3-4)
Yet we know Jesus will return because He would never lie. If He’d promised to return, knowing He wouldn’t, then He lied. That would make Him a sinner, His death on the cross meant nothing, we have no hope for eternity, and the whole gospel story collapses like a house of cards.
Yet over 500 witnesses saw Jesus after He arose. His followers also testified after His resurrection with a boldness they didn’t have before. The gospel of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection has saved souls and changed lives throughout history, and still does. Yes, one day Jesus will return; not as a baby in a manger but as a conquering king, and these words of Revelation 11:15 will come to pass: “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ;”
The Lord also warned, “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” (Matthew 24:44) So how does one prepare for Jesus’ return? First, be sure you’re saved. Are you 100% sure you will be in heaven when you die? The Lord warned of hell. He died to save us from hell. What an awful decision to make: to know you’re a sinner who needs Christ, yet turns away from His free offer of forgiveness, and die without Christ and spend eternity in hell.
Yet even saved people can engage in surfeiting (overindulgence), and drunkenness, and not be ready for Jesus’ return. If you’re a Christian, do you strive to honor Jesus in your conduct? No one is perfect, but Philippians 1:27 says, “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:” Do you strive to live in such a way that if you talked about Jesus, people would take you seriously? Or could they be turned off by what they see as hypocrisy in your life?
Speaking of talking about Jesus, you may know Jesus as Saviour. That’s great. Yet the same Saviour who saved you also wants to save others. He sent someone to talk to you. He wants you to be someone whom He sends to talk with others. The Great Commission, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) isn’t just for preachers and missionaries. It’s for all who know Jesus as Saviour. Have you tried to talk with those you know about Jesus?
You may not engage in surfeiting or drunkenness, but what about “cares of this life”? How much time or effort do you spend on things that won’t matter in eternity, or on meaningless activities or entertainment? How much time could be better spent reaching precious souls with the gospel? How about your family members, relatives, friends, co-workers? Are they saved? Have you tried to talk with them about Jesus? Regardless of how you feel about them, Jesus cares about their souls.
Most of all, if you aren’t sure you’ll be in heaven but want to see how from the Bible, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links”, then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 3/20/2022
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822