ARE YOU READY?
ARE YOU READY?
By: Evangeline Unity Esaaba Folson
This is a question that all young people and Christians should answer for themselves. The bible talks about “the day of the Lord” or the “Second Coming of Christ”. Are you prepared for his major event in God’s Calendar? Bible verses will be quoted to explain this event.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, them which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.
For this, we say unto you by the ward of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord, Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Behold, I shew you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on in corruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on in corruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory.
O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the sting of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which qiveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Joel 2:28-32
And if shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, your old men will dream dreams your young men will see visions. And also, upon thy servant and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
And I will shew wonder in the heavens and in the earth blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered, for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem. Shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said and in the remnant who the Lord shall call.
All 3 passages talk about the day of the Lord or the second coming of Jesus. The passage in 1 Thessalonians not only talks about the coming of Jesus but also comforts those who have lost loved ones.
There is hope that when Jesus returns, all the dead in Christ shall rise to meet Him. The passage also confirms that Jesus is coming back, are you ready?
1 Corinthians 15 explains how we will be changed before we meet our Lord. Our corruptible and mortal bodies are not fit to enter heaven. This passage also confirms that Jesus is coming back, are you ready to meet Him?
The first 2 passages are from the new testament but the last passage is from the old testament it talks about the day of the Lord, which is going to be a terrible day for those who have not surrendered their lives to Jesus. What are you doing to prepare yourself for this day? It is important to prepare for this day. The following verses tell us how to prepare.
Matthew 7:13-14
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at.
Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
The way to heaven is described as “narrow” because you have to study God’s commandments, obey them and live a life that would glorify God. Most people would like to live according to their own desires which would give them temporary happiness and move them off the straight and narrow road. If you want to prepare adequately for the day of the Lord, then you must choose and live on the “narrow way” that will lead you to heaven and eternal life in Christ.
Matthew 24: 42 / Matthew 25: 13
Watch therefore for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
Matthew 25: 13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
These 2 verses are from the same book in the bible. It admonishes Christians to “Watch”. The Oxford English Dictionary says to watch means to look attentively, observe, spy on, be careful about. To be able to watch well you must prepare. Get the weapons you need, food and clothing to be able to watch at all times. As Christians the things we need are the word of God (food for soul) to show us what we need to do, and prayer (our amour and weapon of warfare) for the spirit of God to help us do everything we need to do. We must:
(John 14: 1-3)
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:21
He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest to him.
Revelations 22:14
Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gate into the city.
Pray always.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing
Romans 8:26
Likewise, the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what w should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
The way forward
A song I learned in Sunday school says:
Read your Bible pray every day
Pray everyday
Pray everyday
Read your Bible pray every day
If you want to grow
Another one says:
Are you ready when the Lord shall come? (2x)
From the morning 6’O’Clock to the evening 6’O’Clock
Are you ready when the Lord shall come?
These two Sunday School songs describe what we have to do whilst waiting for the Lord;
Read your Bible every day, Pray every day
Make sure you are ready at all times because the Lord can come at any time
Stay away from sin and obey the Lord’s commandments
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