HE WILL COME AGAIN
Richard Harris
Today’s Scripture: “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only … Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.” Matthew 24:36,42, ESV
Theme: Stay alert, pay attention, but don’t become obsessed with specific predictions.
STAY ALERT
Those prepared for Christ’s return by their belief in Him will live forever in a new Heaven and the new earth. Those who have never chosen Him will be sent away. We don’t know the day or even the hour when the Judgment is coming. No one knows, not even the angels of heaven nor the Son. Our Holy Father is the only one who knows that day and hour. Be watchful. Be ready.
PAY ATTENTION
Stay awake and hold on to Jesus. During the last week of His life, Jesus gave us the words of today’s Scripture. He will be coming again to fulfill all Old Testament prophesies. Be sober-minded. Think about what you are talking about with others. Is it directed to making ready for the coming of the Lord? These are not just Sunday-at-church words, but outside-the-walls words we should be conveying whenever the opportunity arises. In your attempt to make others ready - are you, yourself, ready?
DON’T BECOME OBSESSED
Don’t become obsessed with specific predictions. When people say, “This is a sign of the end of days,” they don’t really know. No one knows the final day or time. Too many false prophets, over these past two thousand years, have been prowling around like roaring lions, wrongly prognosticating this event. God, and God only, knows when the end is coming. Trust His timing on this. Know in your heart that you are ready. Be prepared through Scripture and faith. When that hour comes, He will guide you. Stay ready.
Make it Personal: Should this be my last devotion, due to the end of my mortal life, then I want to say that I’m as ready as I can be. My heart has been redeemed through the blood of Jesus. I know the Holy from the unholy. I know right from wrong. I also know I have not attained a perfect life. I am not that self-righteous. It is through His righteousness that I live. The Word of God is my path to righteousness. It is His free gift. I’m more ready today than yesterday, and every day I am more prepared than the last. I believe, in my heart, that I am ready and I know I will meet those expectations that He has placed upon us. My house is in order. Do you feel prepared should your life end unexpectedly?
Pray: Almighty Father: We thank You for the opportunities bestowed upon us through Your promising words, and we share those promises of the Good News and truth with others. You have entrusted us with the Gospel, so we may speak to please You. May we represent You well and be ready for our Lord’s Second Coming. Please continually help us be prepared and ready for Your day of judgment. We ask, thank, praise, and pray these words in the Name of your most Holy Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Read: 1 Peter 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3; Revelation 21:1
Weekly Memory Verse: Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen. (Revelation 1:7, NASB1995)