If The Lord’s Coming, Why Aren’t We Preparing?

Q

Something has been weighing heavy on my mind for some time now. It seems that no one is preaching ‘preparation’. I believe there will be a rapture of the Church soon. As things are winding down and we see prophecy coming to fruition it is time for true women and men of God, I believe, to focus on being prepared for His coming. What are your thoughts on this?

A

You make a good point. I think the reason no one is preaching preparation for the rapture is that very few really believe it will happen soon. Many who call themselves Christians don’t believe in it at all, and to some who do, the Lord’s return is still more theoretical than real. To others it’s still far off. To think of Him as actually coming for us soon takes a huge paradigm shift that very few are ready to make.

I know we’re saved and the Lord will take us whether we’re ready or not, but I think we should prepare ourselves in two ways. The first is to strengthen our faith in His promise to come for us through increased study. Remember, He promised a crown to all who long for His appearing (2 Tim 4:8). The more we learn, the more we’ll long.

And the second is to keep working to simplify our lives, getting rid of all the things that distract us from nurturing our relationship with Him. These things divert both our time and our resources away from “Kingdom activity” that would help others, bless us, and please the Lord. We should focus on extracting ourselves from the grip this world has on us, looking ahead to the next one. This one only has a little while left to run, but the next one lasts forever (2 Cor. 4:18).

Jesus said, “You trust in God, trust also in Me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if that were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am “ (John 14:1-3).

Notice He didn’t say He was coming to be with us here, where we are. He said He was coming to take us to be with Him there, where He is.