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 (Coming of Christ)
Preparing for the Lord's Return

Preparing for the Lord's Return

Accept Christ Now

Jesus has died for our salvation and has been raised to life. He now calls everyone to repent and believe in him. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God" (John -18).

The door of grace is now wide open. As we draw close to the coming of the Lord, enter the door of salvation while there is still a chance. "The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). He is the only one who can save you from the coming judgment. Your choice to accept him now will mean eternal blessings when he comes again.

Obey the True Gospel

"Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'" (Matthew 7:21-23).

Open confession of Christ alone will not get us into the gates of heaven. We must obey the words of our Lord and the gospel preached by the church, the body of Christ. Only in the church that God has established may we find the gospel of salvation. "It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come, and say: 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2:2-3).

When Christ comes, he will take the church as his bride (Revelation 19:7). Those who have obeyed the true gospel of salvation and who abide daily by God's word through faith will be saved. They will participate in the final and greatest wedding banquet.

Watch and Pray

Since we do not know when our Master will return, we need to be spiritually watchful at all times (Matthew 24:42; Luke ). "But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare; for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man." (Luke 21:34-36). Devotion to daily prayer also helps us examine our ways and enables us to be spiritually strong.

It is essential to constantly live a life pleasing to the Lord and wait soberly for the Lord's coming. "The night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Romans -14).

Be faithful in Service

"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. (Matthew 24:45-47). We need to be diligent and persistent as we serve the spiritual needs of others through preaching, encouragement, and intercession. By regularly meeting with fellow believers, we can "stir up one another to love and good works" (Hebrews -25).

When our master comes, he will require from us what each of us has received and reward us for our labor (Matthew 25:14-30). Therefore, we must put our time, possessions, and talents to use for the Lord's work. Let us always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because we know that our labor in him is not in vain.

Love One Another

"The end of all things is at hand; therefore keep sane and sober for your prayers. Above all hold unfailing your love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins. Practice hospitality ungrudgingly to one another" (1 Peter 4:7-9). Love will be a standard of divine judgment on the last day. In the parable of Jesus, it was those who showed deeds of kindness and concern that received eternal life. So let us learn to give to the needy and pray for the spiritually weak.

In addition to helping others, we need to be patient with one another, because love is patient, and love endures all things. "Do not grumble, brethren, against one another, that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the doors" (James 5:9). It would surely please the Lord if we forgive others just as he forgave us. True love bears the burden of another and "covers a multitude of sins."

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Publisher: True Jesus Church
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