“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:36
The subject of the return of Christ to the earth is one that is based uniquely upon the declaration and promise of God. It will have its realization in God’s time, for as Jesus said, “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels in heaven, but My Father only.” (Matt. 24:36) In the Old Testament, in response to the prayer of Habakkuk concerning the invasion by the Chaldeans, the Lord said to him: “Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time but at the end it shall speak and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (2:2,3) The fact that the invasion of Israel was pending, and would have its accomplishment at a certain time, was determined by God, and Him alone. Jesus, in speaking of the second coming, His return, would emphasize this also by saying, “”Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away.” (21:33) The question is not whether the Lord will return, coming in a cloud with power and glory, accompanied by His holy angels. This moment and event are settled in heaven, known and designed by the Father, and will come to pass in His perfect time. As He said to Habakkuk, “…wait for it,” ‘…it will surely come.” The issue is rather that of being ready to meet the Lord, and this, at any time and in any place of His choosing. This may be at the moment of His return to earth. It may be at the “snatching away,” or rapture of the church, or it may be at death. One thing is for certain. We shall all stand before the Son of man.
What then does it mean to be ready to meet Christ? Beyond what is basic, that of being “clean” before Him, all known sin confessed and repented of, there is the issue of walking in the light before, with, and by Him. First and foremost in being ready to meet Him is communion, or fellowship, with Him. Christ has called us, not only to be with Him, but to abide in Him, to live by His blessed Spirit. In Matthew’s gospel, after speaking to the disciples concerning the last days, and the “…sign of the Son of man in heaven,” coming “…with power and great glory,” (Matt. 24:30) he speaks concerning awareness, watchfulness, and living by faith, based upon His word, which will not pass away. In using the illustration of the fig tree, he directs the attention to circumstances that will surely manifest themselves to the one or ones, who are truly seeking, and looking, to discern the times in which they live. He speaks of being brought to the conviction of knowing that the time is near, or as He puts it, “…even at the doors.”(24:33) The one who is ready to meet the Lord is a person made aware of the times in which he is living, for he is seeking Christ, that he might know how he should live, and what he should do.
Beyond watchfulness, the disciple of Christ is one who is deliberately, and decisively, “in the affairs of the Father.” He is seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, watching and praying, but also, using well and faithfully that which Christ has entrusted to him. These abilities and resources are employed for the advancement of the kingdom. The parable of the talents illustrates this. The ready servant is the one who gives himself to serve God, by the Spirit, using the capacities and gifts provided to him by the Lord. He is a faithful steward who gives food to Christ’s sheep and lambs, ever ministering to the needy. He lives to serve others.
Dear Father, Make us faithful servants, ready to meet Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.