Pastor column: Jesus is coming back - are you ready?

In Matthew 24:3 the disciples asked Jesus “... what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age? Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you … Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains” (vs. 4-8). Jesus makes a plea for all men to be ready to meet Him when He does come.

Now, the second coming of Jesus is not one but two parts. Part one is an event that has come to be called the "Rapture." At this time, Jesus will call all those who have received Him as the Savior to come home to Heaven. At this time, He will raise those believers who have already died, and He will take those who are living on to Heaven to be with him forever. Part two will take place around seven years after part one. This event will see the return of Jesus in glory and power. He will descend upon the world and will defeat His enemies, establish His Kingdom upon the earth and personally rule in peace and harmony for 1,000 years. Therefore, it is imperative that we understand the great need of being ready to meet the Lord when He comes. Because, I’m absolutely certain He will return!

First, the Rapture will be sudden. Paul writes “... in the twinkling of an eye … we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52). There will be absolutely no time to prepare. Either you will be ready at that instant or not. Bible is clear in its teaching that we not count on there being another day in which to get ready but that we should be saved today (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Second, the Rapture will be shocking. Many will expect to go with the redeemed but will instead be left behind. Remember what Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23). Many have false hopes for Heaven, but do not be deceived, there’s only one way of salvation and it carries it the priceless guarantee of eternal life ( John 3:16; John 14:1-6).

We live in the midst of the “birth pains.” The Rapture will soon be here and every true believer will rise and meet the Lord in the air. Freedom from this world with its problems, sin and death behind and we will be in the presence of the Lord forever. The question is, what will happen to you? I beg you to surrender your heart to the Lord right now — be ready to go!

Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: The second coming of Jesus