People often want to know what it means to get ready for Jesus Christ’s return. When it comes to the Rapture, we often say, “Be ready!” That’s because Jesus said in Luke 21:28, “Now when these things begin to happen,” meaning when these signs of the end times begin to happen, then “look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” In other words, Jesus is saying to be ready because His return is coming soon.
As we engage with this Coronavirus pandemic and social upheaval, people are looking at the end times sign of plagues and noting all of the diseases and fearful events and wars and rumors of wars — all of these signs that would mark the time leading up to Christ’s return — that are happening today.
Then there’s also the Sign of the Fig Tree. When Israel, symbolized by a fig tree, rebudded and became a nation once more, that would be the generation that would see Jesus return. Israel has become a nation again. It has rebudded.
All of these end times signs laid out in Luke 21 are happening, so we know that Jesus Christ is coming soon. And, because He’s coming soon, we need to, “Be ready!”
The question then is posed, “What must I do to be ready?” Of course, Jesus also answered that in Luke 21:34-36.
Luke 21:34-36 KJV – “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
Here Jesus gives us five things to do to “Get ready!” for His return to rapture the Church up to Heaven.
Number one is to avoid sinning. If you are a Christian, then obviously you should be living a holy life disdaining sin. If you’re an unbeliever, then obviously you’re going to continue a life of sin, and so that also means you will be caught not ready for when the Lord returns. Why is that? Because being ready for the Lord’s return requires having had accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior. In other words, you’d be saved, and so your sins would be forgiven and forgotten and you can stand before God blameless and holy. So, avoid sinning.
Number two is to keep watching. We are commanded by Jesus to look out for His return. You’ll hear some pastors say, “Bible prophecy is all nonsense.” And yet, Jesus Himself says that when we see these signs, keep watch. The second thing He wants us to do is to keep watching for the Lord’s return.
Number three points out that we’re living in evil times, so pray to escape evil. Pray for the Lord to protect you, your family, your church, your friends, and this nation. We need protection in these dark days.
Number four, put your hope in the fact that Jesus is returning to rapture all of those who believe in Him as Savior up to Heaven. It’s what’s called our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) You can grab hold of that hope today.
And, how do you grab hold of that hope? Number five, accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Savior, then pray from your heart your belief that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for your sins. When you put your faith and trust in Jesus, He will forgive you of your sins, your guilt will be swept away, and you will inherit eternal life with your Heavenly Father forever.
In summary: avoid sinning, keep watching, pray to escape evil, hope for the Rapture, and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you do those five things then you will be ready for the Rapture.
