Many in the world are not ready for the soon return of Jesus Christ. Before we look at that issue, we have to ask, "Is the church even ready for His return?"
Paul described a ready and perfect church as one which, under the guidance of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, comes into the unity of faith, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, speaking truth in love, having grown up into Christ's headship, with all parts joined together and supplying to the increase and edifying of the whole church (Eph. 4:11-16). We are also to be mature enough to discern and reject the lies and tricks of false doctrines that come against the truth. It doesn't sound like we have yet achieved any part of this readiness.
Jesus told the parable of the ready and watching servant, who was waiting for his master's return:
"Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately..." Lk. 12:35-36
Our condition is to be one of expectantly waiting, ready to immediately open the door to Him. There is to be no delay in our response. We are not to be sleeping in bed, but up and dressed, our loins girded. Paul said in Eph. 6:14, that as part of our ever present spiritual armor, our loins are girded with truth. As we will see, the End Times in which we live are full of deceptions, but we, as the followers of Christ, are to stand and surround ourselves in the eternal truth of God. The truth of God does not waver with the times, but remains the same throughout eternity.
The faithful, waiting servants carry lighted lamps in the above parable. We are not children of darkness, but children of light, and we are to be leading others out of darkness, into that same light-the light of salvation.
Jesus continues, "Blessed are those servants whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching (vigilant, awake, watching, giving strict attention to, active, to rise up from sleep, or from a position of resting)..." v. 37
How many of us act as though Jesus is returning at any moment? How many of us have completed our spiritual works, should we not be here tomorrow? Yet, Jesus makes the point that it could be at any time, and most likely, when He is least expected:
"Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." v. 40
The fact that we are not alert, watchful, and ready, not only makes us unprepared for Christ, but also unprepared for the thief that is waiting to break in (v. 39).
That thief is the deception that has entered into the world, working its lies to keep people from their salvation, from the truth of their God, especially as the return of Christ draws near:
"But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you..." 2 Pet. 2:1-3
These false teachers speak evil of the way of truth. We are seeing an increasingly intolerant and accusatory attitude towards all those who believe and stand uncompromisingly in the truth of God. Some are even brought into courts for their belief in the truth.
Peter says, above, that many shall follow these thieves of the truth. Jesus said also, "...broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat..."
Mt. 7:13
Mt. 7:13
There are many walking straight to destruction. Is the church busy about the precious work of rescuing these many from the way that leads to death? (Prov. 14:12 ,Prov. 16:25). Jesus said in the first parable, above, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." (Lk. 12:42-43).
This "doing" servant is described as wise. We found out last week that a wise man shines, and is one who wins souls (Prov. 11:30, Dan. 12:3 ). Jesus also describes these watchful servants with their "lights burning" as wise. This servant is watching, he is waiting, but the wise servant is also doing. He is doing the work of winning souls, pulling them from that way that leads to destruction.
In another part of scripture, Jesus, seeing His future disciples fishing, promised that He would make them, that they would become, fishers of men (Mt. 4:18-19, Mk. 1:16-17 ). Not only were these His first words to the disciples, but also His last, as He said, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mk. 16:15). This is the work that the faithful servant is found doing when his master returns.
Will we be ready and wise? Or unprepared and foolish? We must choose quickly, because the time grows short.
Will we be ready and wise? Or unprepared and foolish? We must choose quickly, because the time grows short.
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Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:
Jesus, I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.
(Rom. 10:9-11)
Prayer of Salvation for all who desire to receive Jesus as their Savior:
Jesus, I want to know You as my Lord, and as my Savior, who covers my sins, and cleanses my heart. Come into my heart, and also fill me with the Holy Spirit, who will lead me into all truth, and will teach me how to follow You. I believe that You are the Son of God, the Messiah, that You were crucified for me, and rose from the dead to give me everlasting life. I believe that You are coming again. Lord Jesus, in Your name I believe, pray, and receive all of these things. Amen.
(Rom. 10:9-11)
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