“For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be…” Matthew 24:27
When the Lord Jesus spoke of His coming, in answer to the disciple’s request to know the “…sign of Your coming, and the end of the age…,” He spoke of the conditions of the times, and the attitudes of men. The Apostle Paul would also speak in his letters of the same things, specifically addressing the fact that, “…in the latter times, some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1) He will speak also of the fact that there will come a moment when, “…He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2:7) The context and conformity to other prophetical writings in the Scriptures, indicates that as the Spirit of God was poured out upon all flesh in the “last days” at Pentecost, so there will be the removal of the influence of the Spirit in such power at some point, thus ceasing, or limiting to a lesser extent, to be to a great extent, the awful effects of unrestrained sin, and also the working of the “lawless one,” or Antichrist. Before Christ comes the second time with all the holy angels, to deal with this “man of sin,” the Antichrist, there will be a time of great abandonment of faith in God. This is not to say there will not be believers in that day, but the relative freedom to believe in our day will be a thing of the past, until Christ sets up His kingdom on earth.
Before that day of judgment comes, there will be another day resembling somewhat the day when Jesus ascended to heaven, a cloud receiving Him from the sight of His disciples. On that day Scripture tells us that “…the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trump of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thess. 4:16,17) This is the blessed hope of the believer in Christ, a hope that is certain, and applies to every believer, whether living or having. At that moment, Christ will come to take every member of His living body on earth, his church, His bride, to meet Him in the air, transformed, having become like Him, to be forever with Him. With regard to the certainty of His coming, the Lord stated very clearly: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Matt. 24:35)
So, what are we to be, and how are we to be prepared for that moment of meeting, which is a certain reality, a certain hope? There are at least three ways by which we must be ready to meet the Lord Jesus in the air. The first one has to do with “oil,” that blessed symbol which speaks of the Spirit of God. Ever since the day of Pentecost after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, when the Spirit was poured out upon all flesh, there was brought about in the heart and soul of every true believer, a new birth, a blessed work of the Father, whereby each one was placed in living, and eternal union with Christ, one with Him to live forever by the Spirit. The presence of the Spirit testifies that one truly belongs to Christ.
The second proof of readiness is “stewardship,” that act and attitude of embracing one’s calling, to use opportunity and resources, being led by the Spirit, to serve Christ on this earth, seeking the coming of His kingdom in the hearts of men of all nations.
And thirdly, the proof is found in communion with Christ, abiding in Him. John the Apostle writes of confidence, not shame, being found abiding in Him. (1 John 2:28)
Dear Father, Make us ready today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.