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READINESS FOR THE LORD’S COMING

DANIEL 12:1-3 

HEBREWS 10:11-25 

MARK 13:1-8  

The theme for our reflection is “Readiness for the Lord’s coming”. Readiness is the state of being fully prepared for something. Readiness for the Lord’s coming means we must be fully or completely prepared for the advent or second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. In discussing the theme we shall ponder over the following points:  

1. We must be ready by knowing the signs of the end time. 
2. We must be ready through repentance and a life of perseverance .
3. We must be ready by being watchful and wise even as we await the judgment day.

Firstly, Jesus does not want us to be taken unawares therefore He revealed to us the signs of the end time so that we shall be in readiness for His coming. Jesus revealed that some of the remarkable signs of the end time are “Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.” (Mark 13:6-8).  Similarly, the Lord revealed to Daniel that during end-time “… Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.” (Daniel 12:1) A believer has no excuse not to be ready on the day of the Lord since all that will precede the day of the Lord ( the day of salvation and judgement) have been made known through Biblical or Scriptural revelation.  It is for this reason Joshua admonishes us “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:8-9).  A believer must read the Scripture and pray without ceasing to know the will and plans of God for the present and future as a sign of our readiness. We are already experiencing all that Jesus had said. We have charlatans and agents of the anti-christ deceiving people and doing all manner of abominable and blasphemous things in the name of Jesus Christ. We have all manner of wars including physical and deadly battles involving nuclear weapons and sophisticated artillery,  economic or trade wars, ethnic, racial, class, ideological and religious wars happening all in the world today. These are all signs that we must be in readiness of the coming of the Lord.

Secondly, if the signs Jesus Christ revealed to us are happening then we must be in readiness through repentance and perseverance even as we await His second coming. The writer of Hebrews encouraged “…, brothers and sisters since we have the confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:19-23) Beloved in the Lord as we witness the signs of the end time and prepare for the day of the Lord, let us not think of ourselves but “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25). The best gift you can give a person in this world is to help him or her to come to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Master Jesus Christ. It is, for this reason, He commissioned us when He said that “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20). The signs of the end time are only alerting us to repent and accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and in the same vein, alerting we those who are already in the Lord to persevere in faith and overcome the temptations that the signs of the end time will bring upon us.  

Thirdly, the signs of the end time are meant to keep us ready by being watchful and wise even as we await the final appearance of our Lord Jesus. It is for this reason Jesus admonishes us to “Watch out that no one deceives you.” (Mark 13:5). Again in Daniel, the Lord revealed to Daniel that “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3). My dear friend, as we witness the signs of the end time, we must be watchful and wise Christian husband, child, public servant, businessman or woman so that the world will not corrupt us and make us indulge in sexual immorality, bribery, drunkenness, and addiction of all kinds that will make it impossible for us to inherit the Kingdom of God, for the Lord revealed to Daniel “But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book —will be delivered. (Daniel 12:1). I need you to reflect on your relationship with God and ponder over these questions. Have I pleased God with my whole life, Do I believe that I am in a right relationship with God and my name is written in the Book of everlasting life? Dear friend, If we are part of the living today then we have an important choice to make. Paul admonishes us,  “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose. (Philippians 2:12-13) 

In conclusion, my dear friend, we have discovered that we must be ready by knowing the signs of the end time. We must be ready through repentance and a life of perseverance. We must be ready by being watchful and wise even as we await the judgment day. May the Lord continue to guide our steps to overcome and persevere through the signs of the end time and be counted among the citizens of His Kingdom. Shalom.