Steps to Preparedness
The New Testament is full of exhortations to believers to prepare for the return of Jesus. Here are some of the Bible's demands:
a) Be ready and awake
In several parables, Jesus warned his listeners:
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour"
Matthew 25:13 (ESV)
Also compare Matthew 24:36+42+50
And Paul added:
"Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers,[1] you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober"
1.Thessalonians 5:1+2+6 (ESV)
b) Work for Christ
The Lord Jesus commissioned his disciples to continue the work he had begun until his return, to lead people to Christ and then to encourage them in the faith:
"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
Matthew 24:45-47 (ESV)
c) Solid and blameless
Of the many scriptures that exhort Christians to live a life of holiness, I will give just one example:
" That in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge. So that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ"
1. Korinther 1:5,7+8 (ESV)
He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20 (ESV)
d) Full of the Holy Spirit
The parable of the ten virgins shows the importance of oil - a symbol of the Holy Spirit - for participation in the wedding (Matthew 25:1-13)
And Paul makes a direct connection between being filled with the Spirit and being ready for Jesus to come:
"If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you"
Romans 8:11 (ESV)
The Lord is coming soon, Hallelujah,
With royal splendor;
His is the kingdom, Hallelujah,
Being is violence and power
Autor: Karl-Otto Böhringer
Pictures: https://pixabay.com/de/
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