Evergreen Faith : How Do We Prepare for the Return of Christ?
Preparing for Christ’s return means living with spiritual alertness and active faith today. We prepare by accepting Jesus as Savior, pursuing a holy life, and sharing the Gospel with others. Because His return: known as the Blessed Hope: is imminent, believers are called to live with urgency, ensuring their hearts are ready and their mission is clear before He gathers His Church.
Preparing for the Return of Christ: Living with Urgency
Relevant Bible Verses
Titus 2:13 (NIV)
"While we wait for the blessed hope: the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ."
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)
"For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."
Matthew 24:44 (NIV)
"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Understanding the Blessed Hope
At Boundless Online Church, we often talk about the "Blessed Hope." This isn't just a catchy phrase; it is a core pillar of our faith. It refers to the imminent return of Jesus Christ to gather His people.
According to the Assemblies of God 16 Fundamental Truths, the "Blessed Hope" is the resurrection of those who have died in Christ and their translation together with those who are alive at the coming of the Lord.
This event is the great climax of the Church age. It is the moment when every tear is wiped away, and we are united with our Creator forever. But why does this matter for your life on a random Tuesday morning?
It matters because the promise of His return changes how we view our time, our relationships, and our purpose. When we know the King is coming, we don't just sit around waiting; we get the house ready.
Living in the "In-Between"
We currently live in the "in-between." Jesus has already come once to provide salvation through His death and resurrection, and He has promised to come again to bring us home.
Living with urgency doesn't mean living in fear. It doesn't mean quitting your job and sitting on a mountain top.
Instead, urgency is a posture of the heart. It is the realization that today is a gift and an opportunity. If Jesus were to return this afternoon, would you be confident in where you stand with Him?
Preparation is about being spiritually awake. In the Gospels, Jesus often told parables about servants waiting for their master or bridesmaids waiting for a groom. The common theme was always the same: stay awake, keep your lamps trimmed, and be ready.
The Foundation: The Gospel Message
You cannot prepare for the return of Christ if you haven't first met Him. The most important step in any spiritual journey is understanding the Gospel.
The Bible tells us that we have all fallen short of God’s standard. Sin separates us from a holy God. But because God loved us so much, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the price for our sins.
Jesus lived a perfect life, died on a cross in our place, and rose again three days later, defeating death once and for all.
Salvation is a free gift. You don't earn it by being "good enough." You receive it by placing your trust in Jesus, repenting of your sins, and following Him as Lord. This is the ultimate "readiness." When you are covered by the grace of Jesus, you no longer have to fear the future.
Pursuing Christlikeness Daily
Once we have accepted the gift of salvation, our preparation continues through sanctification: the process of becoming more like Jesus.
The Apostle John wrote that everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. When we live with the expectation that Jesus could appear at any moment, it naturally encourages us to live holy lives.
We begin to ask ourselves:
Are my words bringing life or destruction?
Am I holding onto bitterness that I need to release?
Am I using my resources to build God's kingdom or my own?
Preparation involves a daily "check-in" with the Holy Spirit. It’s about staying in the Word, staying in prayer, and staying connected to a community of believers.
The Mission: Sharing the Light
If we truly believe that Jesus is coming back, we cannot keep that news to ourselves. Urgency fuels evangelism.
We help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online because we know that time is precious. There are people in your life: friends, family members, coworkers: who may not know the peace that comes from a relationship with Christ.
Part of our preparation is ensuring that we are "working while it is day." We are called to be witnesses. This doesn't require a theology degree; it just requires a willing heart to share what God has done for you.
When we live with urgency, our conversations change. We look for opportunities to encourage the hurting and point the lost toward the Hope of the world.
Practical Steps for Spiritual Readiness
How do we practically maintain this sense of urgency in a world full of distractions?
Daily Devotion: Start your day by acknowledging that this could be the day the Lord returns. It sets a different tone for your entire schedule.
Maranatha Prayers: Use the ancient Christian cry, "Maranatha," which means "Come, Lord Jesus." Include the desire for His return in your daily prayers.
Community Engagement: Don't walk this path alone. Join a Bible study or a welcome group to stay encouraged.
Audit Your Heart: Regularly ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of complacency or "spiritual slumber" in your life.
A Prayer for Readiness
Heavenly Father, thank You for the Blessed Hope of Your return. We thank You that we do not have to live in fear of the future because our lives are hidden in Christ. Holy Spirit, help us to live with a sense of holy urgency today. Wake us up from any spiritual lethargy. Give us the courage to share the Gospel with those around us and the strength to pursue holiness in everything we do. We look forward with joy to the day we see You face to face. Amen.
Next Steps
Are you feeling a pull on your heart to get closer to God? Whether you are just starting to ask questions about faith or you’ve been following Jesus for years, we are here to walk with you.
Exploring the return of Christ can bring up many questions. We invite you to dive deeper into God's Word with us. You can explore our resources at Boundless Online Church or join one of our discussion groups to connect with others who are seeking to live for Him.
If you have never made the decision to follow Jesus, or if you want to rededicate your life to Him, today is the perfect day. There is no better way to prepare for the future than to secure your relationship with the Savior today.
Need prayers? Text us day or night at 1-901-213-7341. Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis. We help people meet Jesus and grow in faith online.
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