The Second Advent: Jesus is Coming Ready or Not!

Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

It’s hard to miss Christmas these days. Just about anyone with breath in their body can tell you what time of the year it is. Much money, time and fervor are spent preparing for Christmas. The television, radio, magazines and supermarkets prompt us to be ready for THE DAY. Don’t get caught without having just the right gift, the right decorations, the right food stuffs and yes, even the right clothes and accessories.

Today, Christians can be so focused on celebrating the first Christmas, that we miss the forest for the trees: Jesus came once, but He is coming again! Here’s the question: Have we done more to prepare for the celebration of a past event than we have to prepare for His second Advent? In other words, do our efforts to observe and remember Jesus’ first coming surpass our attention to the details of being ready for Him to come again?

Some of us may have a better idea of how to prepare for Jesus’ first advent than His second. Yet surely the stakes are higher for Jesus’ second coming. If we are earnest about being ready for our LORD’S return, here is what we need to keep in mind so that we are prepared.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

We should be alert and watchful. We need to be ready and, on the lookout, for if we grow complacent and think the end is not yet nigh, that is a sign that we have lost our zeal to be on guard. Jesus is coming very soon whether we are ready or not. Let’s be ready as the blessed servant was in Matthew 25:46 who, when his master returned from being away, the servant was busy engaged in what he should be doing. For those who are not watchful, but idle in pursing God, there shall be ‘weeping and gnashing of teeth’ with much remorse and chagrin on that final day.

2 Peter 3:11-12 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.

The prospect of Jesus’ return should spur us on to godliness and right behavior. We must not get too attached to this world – it is not our home, but just our assignment. At best we are simply strangers and aliens here in this world (1 Peter 2:11), and will live in holiness if we remember that we are being sanctified by the Spirit for a home that is in Heaven. For without holiness no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). That means if we are engaging in activities, we are sure God would disapprove of on Judgement Day, we need to be repented of them and asking God to help us change our ways today. In light of the fact that no-one knows the day or hour of Christ’s return, we need to make preparations right now to ensure we are living godly and holy lives. Making the change tomorrow or next week, may be too late.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

At this time of the year we say, “Merry Christmas” a lot. We encourage each other to have a lovely time of celebration. In the same way, Christians need to encourage one another with words that spur us on in keeping the faith, hanging in there and looking forward to the blessed hope of Christ’s return. We can also exhort each other through corporate prayer, personally telling other Christians how much we appreciate them and reading God’s Word together. These are the means by which we prepare one another for Christ’s return.

1 Timothy 6: 12,14 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life,, whereunto though art also called. Keep this commandment without spot, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And lastly, if we’re going to be ready for Jesus’ return, we ought to continue to persevere. Don’t give up. We may be tempted to think, ‘Jesus isn’t coming back.’ But be diligent in our watching and waiting because Psalm 98:9 says, “For the Lord is coming to judge the earth, He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness.” So be found persevering in our life with Christ and “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12; 1-2).

These are the basics in order to be prepared for the next coming of Jesus.

Be alert and watchful. Be motivated to live Godly lives. Encourage one another and keep on keeping on.

Jesus is Coming, Ready or Not!