Being prepared for Christ’s return?

Matthew 24:36-47

“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. “Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”

Jesus Christ second coming will be literal, visible, audible, glorious and climatic. We are to wait for him as watchman:

Hebrews 9:28

“So, Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation to those who are (waiting) for him.”

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10

“for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to (serve) the living and true God, and to (wait) for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”

We are called to turn from idols, repent, serve God and wait for Jesus Christ to come back.

God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

Christ’s return will be a devastating shock for the people who are unprepared and great joy for the ones watching for His arrival. When Christ comes again it won’t be on a donkey it will be in all His glory with the angels. After the resurrection, He appeared in person to his disciples and 500 of His followers. But Jesus never appeared to Pilate, Herod or the soldiers that crucified Him because it was not the time. There will be a time in the future that everybody will see Him even those who pierced Him.

We have faith now but the coming of Christ will be witnessed by sight. It will be a day of condemnation to many but joy and ecstasy for believers. Those who don’t know Him will be judged. Those that are lost will see a glimpse of Christ and His glory for a moment and carry that moment throughout eternity, but you won’t be able to enjoy it.

He will be revealed in beauty and glory that the whole universe will stand in amazement. For the past centuries, God has asked mankind to check their priorities against His.

Many people are too concerned with buying, selling and marrying, and can’t shake off the elements of worldly living. A Christian life should declare God not to speak against Him.

We shouldn’t be worried about what people say or do about believers. Noah was ridiculed for building the Ark for 120 years as it had never rained.

To prepare for Jesus coming we must know Him and have a personal relationship with Him.

When Christ returns many the church will be false. These are churches that have defected from the Bible truths. Many churches have become non-biblical, anti-biblical and hostile. For example, you can’t have an LGBT church to God. It’s non-biblical, anti-biblical, and hostile to the kingdom standard of God.

A true believer in Jesus Christ confesses with his mouth that He is Lord of my life. Jesus must be the only way of salvation so we need to take up the cross.

Universalism in the church today is one of the main heresies as not everyone will be saved.

Jesus was the Son of God and His death atoned for our sins. God the Father raised Him from the dead to His right side. If you don’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus, what you are saying is that you don’t believe that it’s the only way to the Father. A sign of a true believer is our life has changed since excepting Christ, therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! It doesn’t mean we are perfect it just means there is a visible change. Many people who are not saved just do not have a conscience, while doing bad things feel good to them or even funny. Having a dirty mouth is a way of life for many.

Hearing Gods voice is crucial for preparing for Jesus return. Hearing can also be sensing his presence in your life. This is accomplished by reading the Bible, praying and fasting.

Having fellowship with true born-again Christians. Reading Holy Spirit inspired books and literature. Spending time in your garden appreciating Gods design. Don’t forget God placed Adam and Eve within a garden which is good for the health and spirituality.

Prepare by not seeing unbiblical minded friends, hang out with like-minded individuals that will build each other up in the faith. We are saved by grace and our works should reflect the standard of Christ.

Lots of churches teach that you can be saved by just being good which is not the case and is unbiblical. The Bible teaches that none is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. If you think you are just a good person you are not saved if you don’t know Christ.

A true Christian receives Gods Word, enjoys it and abides by it, as the truth shall set you free. The Bible is absolute and the Word is the absolute truth. Jesus is called the Word of God, when you don’t have a relationship with the Logos, you don’t have a relationship with Jesus. Being prepared is loving Gods family the church. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

Other ways to be ready for Christ’s return is using our God-given talents in a good way for others and glorifying Him. Superficial Christianity has made a lot of money and needs sifting and shifting. The purpose of our lives is to glorify God and expand His kingdom. We should serve His kingdom by His power for His glory every day. Whatever physical job you do accomplish it as a Christian. If you are a train dispatcher be a Christian train dispatcher. If you are a baker put all your love into making that loaf of bread the best you can. Whatever company you represent, represent Jesus first.

If you haven’t been baptised yet get baptised. Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord by which those who have repented and come to faith express their union with Christ in his death and resurrection, by being immersed in water in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is a sign of belonging to the new people of God, the true Israel, and an emblem of burial and cleansing, signifying death to the old life of unbelief, and purification from the pollution of sin.

Be humble, faithful, pure, loving, kind, forgiving, and compassionate.

We need to come out of the world and be separate for Jesus Christ. He wants to sanctify us or set apart, so gambling, worldly music, Hollywood movies, provocative dress, clubbing etc are not part of the standard of God. Do not give up faith and obedience to Jesus Christ.

Satan is the great deceiver and will turn even believers to fall down.

Keep the Lords Day the Sabbath. God did three things to the seventh day. He rested in that day, blessed it, and he made it holy. Jesus kept the Sabbath and so should His believers. The apostles of the early church followed the example of Jesus. The Sabbath throughout all eternity will be the primary day of coming together and worshipping the Lord.

Lastly, as a married couple, the wife needs the husband’s ministry to grow and be like Christ. When a couple speaks their vows together honour her as you honour Christ. The man should (not) be caring about his hobbies, plans, free time, drinking partners, money, cars, friends, football and anything else material over his wife and family. This creates bitterness in the life of the woman. If your wife looks into her husband’s eyes and sees the Holy Spirit burning in his eyes, and the radiance of Christ in his cheeks, she will lovingly submit to him.