Are You Ready If Jesus Returns Today
Are You Ready If Jesus Returns Today
Examining Your Eternal Destiny with Honest Faith
"Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come... Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." - Matthew 24:42, 44 (KJV)
This is perhaps the most important question you will ever ask yourself: If Jesus returned right now, would you be ready to meet Him?
It's not a comfortable question. It forces us to look honestly at our spiritual condition. It makes us examine the reality of our faith, the sincerity of our commitment, and the assurance of our salvation. But it's a question we must ask because Jesus Himself warned us to be ready for His return.
The truth is, no one knows the day or hour when Jesus will come back. It could be today. It could be tomorrow. It could be years from now. But whenever it happens, it will be sudden, unexpected, and final. There will be no second chances, no do-overs, no time to get your spiritual house in order. The question is: Are you ready right now?
The Reality of Christ's Return
The return of Jesus Christ is not a myth or a metaphor—it's a promised reality. Throughout the New Testament, Scripture affirms that Jesus is coming back.
Acts 1:11 records the words of two angels at Jesus' ascension: "Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Jesus will return just as surely as He left.
⏰ The Suddenness of His Coming
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 warns us: "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them... and they shall not escape." Jesus will return unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. There will be no advance warning, no countdown, no preparation time.
Matthew 24:36-44 records Jesus' own words about His return: "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only... Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come... Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh."
This is not meant to scare us—it's meant to prepare us. Jesus wants us to live in a state of constant readiness, not spiritual complacency.
The Foundation of Readiness: Salvation Through Jesus Christ
Being ready for Jesus' return begins with one essential requirement: you must be saved. And salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 makes this crystal clear: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." There is no other path to heaven. No other religion, no other philosophy, no other person can save you. Jesus is the only way.
Ephesians 2:8-9 explains how salvation works: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." You cannot earn salvation through good deeds, religious rituals, or moral living. Salvation is a free gift that you receive by faith in Jesus Christ.
✝️ What Jesus Did for You
Romans 5:8 says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus took the punishment for your sins on the cross. He died in your place. He rose from the dead three days later, proving His victory over sin and death. Now He offers you forgiveness and eternal life as a free gift. All you have to do is receive it by faith.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 summarizes the gospel: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." This is the good news—Jesus died, was buried, and rose again for you.
Four Essential Steps to Salvation
If you want to be ready for Jesus' return, you need to be saved. Here are four biblical steps that lead to salvation:
1. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
Acts 16:31 says, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." This means trusting in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. You acknowledge that He is the Son of God who died for your sins and rose again. You accept His offer of forgiveness and eternal life. You submit to His authority over your life. This is more than intellectual agreement—it's wholehearted trust and surrender.
2. Repent of Your Sins
Acts 3:19 commands us: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." Repentance means turning away from your sinful ways and turning to God. You confess your sins to Him and ask for His mercy. You agree with God that your sins are wrong and that you need His help to overcome them. You are willing to change your mind, heart, and behavior according to His will. Repentance is not just feeling sorry—it's a complete change of direction.
3. Confess Your Faith in Christ
Romans 10:9-10 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Don't keep your faith secret. Tell others that you have accepted Jesus. Make your commitment public. Confession is part of genuine faith.
4. Follow Jesus in Obedience
Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." Get baptized as a public declaration of your faith. Join a Bible-believing church. Read God's Word daily. Pray regularly. Live in obedience to Christ. These actions don't save you, but they are the natural result of genuine saving faith.
How Can You Know You Are Saved?
Many people wonder: How can I be sure I'm really saved? What if I'm deceiving myself? These are legitimate questions, and the Bible provides clear answers.
1 John 5:11-13 says, "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life."
Notice the certainty: "that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life." God doesn't want you living in doubt. He wants you to have assurance of your salvation.
đź”’ The Security of Your Salvation
John 10:27-29 records Jesus' promise: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand." If you are truly saved, you are secure in Christ. Nothing can snatch you from God's hand.
Romans 8:38-39 confirms this security: "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
If you have genuinely placed your faith in Jesus Christ, repented of your sins, and surrendered your life to Him, you can have full assurance that you are saved and ready for His return.
Evidence of Genuine Faith
While we are saved by faith alone, genuine saving faith always produces evidence. James 2:17 says, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." If your faith is real, your life will show it.
Here are some signs that your faith is genuine and that you are truly ready for Jesus' return:
đź’š Love for God and Others
1 John 4:7-8 says, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." If you are saved, you will have a growing love for God and for other people. This love shows itself in practical ways—kindness, forgiveness, generosity, and service.
đź“– Desire for God's Word
1 Peter 2:2 says, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." If you are born again, you will hunger for God's Word. You'll want to read the Bible, learn from it, and apply it to your life. The Holy Spirit will teach you and illuminate Scripture as you read.
⚔️ Conviction About Sin
1 John 3:9 says, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." This doesn't mean believers never sin—it means we don't live in unrepentant, habitual sin. When we do sin, the Holy Spirit convicts us, and we are quick to repent and seek forgiveness. Our hearts grieve over sin rather than celebrating it.
🙏 A Life of Prayer
Romans 8:15-16 says, "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." If you are saved, you will have a desire to communicate with God in prayer. Prayer won't feel like an obligation—it will be a privilege and a joy.
Living in Constant Readiness
Once you are saved, the question becomes: How do I live in constant readiness for Christ's return? The answer is found in faithful, obedient living every single day.
Luke 12:35-40 records Jesus' parable about faithful servants: "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord... Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching... Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not."
Jesus wants to find you faithfully serving Him when He returns. Not perfect, but faithful. Not sinless, but sincere. Not hiding in fear, but living boldly for His glory.
🌟 Practical Ways to Stay Ready
- Walk in daily obedience to God's Word
- Maintain a vibrant prayer life
- Confess and repent of sin quickly
- Share the gospel with others
- Serve faithfully in your church
- Live with eternity in view
- Keep short accounts with God and others
Colossians 3:1-2 instructs us: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Live with your eyes fixed on heaven, not consumed by earthly pursuits.
A Personal Testimony of Readiness
Several years ago, I sat in church and heard a sermon on Christ's return. The pastor asked the same question this article poses: "Are you ready if Jesus comes back today?" In that moment, I realized something terrifying—I wasn't sure.
I had grown up in church. I knew all the right answers. I could quote Scripture. But when I honestly examined my heart, I had to admit that I had never truly surrendered my life to Jesus. I had religion but not relationship. I had knowledge but not salvation.
That day, I repented of my sins and genuinely placed my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. For the first time in my life, I had assurance. The fear was replaced with peace. The uncertainty was replaced with confidence. I knew that if Jesus returned that very moment, I would be ready.
That assurance changed everything. It transformed how I lived, how I made decisions, how I treated others, and how I viewed eternity. And it's available to you too.
Don't Wait Until It's Too Late
The most dangerous words you can say are, "I'll get right with God later." 2 Corinthians 6:2 warns us: "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Today is the day to get right with God. Tomorrow is not promised.
Hebrews 9:27 reminds us: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." There are no second chances after death. There is no opportunity to repent after Jesus returns. The decision you make today determines your eternal destiny.
🙏 A Prayer to Receive Jesus Today
"Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again from the dead. I repent of my sins and turn away from them. Right now, I invite You into my heart and life. I surrender control to You. I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. Help me to live for You from this day forward. If You were to return today, I am ready to meet You. In Your name I pray, Amen."
If you prayed that prayer with a sincere heart, you are now ready for Jesus' return. You are saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Your name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. When Jesus comes back, you will meet Him with joy, not fear. Welcome to the family of God!
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