Ready for His Appearing
We live in a frenetic world with too many artificial needs and eye-
catching distractions. If we are not careful, these can take all our time
and pervert our priorities. This is not just another by-product of our glo-
balized cyber world; Christians in every age, to one degree or another,
have to be on guard against Satan’s attempts to distract them from what
really matters in this life.
Who, if not careful, is not in danger of looking away from the Lord
and dwelling on worldly, carnal things, things that, in the end, cannot
ultimately satisfy us, and that, in the end, can lead to our spiritual ruin?
Read 2 Peter 3:14 and 1 John 3:1–3. What difference do you see
between preparing ourselves for the Second Coming and being
ready for that glorious event?
Often the notion of an ongoing preparation for the Second Coming
becomes an excuse for procrastination. This notion can easily lead one
to relax under the evil servant’s assumption, “ ‘ “My master is delaying
his coming” ’ ” (Matt. 24:48, NKJV).
Read Psalm 95:7, 8; Hebrews 3:7, 8, 15; and Hebrews 4:7. What are
these verses saying to us about being ready right now?
From the biblical perspective, the time of salvation is always “today”
and never tomorrow (see Ps. 95:7, 8; Heb. 3:7, 8, 15; Heb. 4:7). And
further: unless a major conversion experience takes place, we will
continue to be what we are right now. Time itself does not convert the
unconverted. If anything, unless one is continually growing in grace,
and pressing on ahead in faith, the tendency would be to fall away, to
become hardened, skeptical, cynical, even disbelieving.
From this perspective we can say that every single day of our life is our
life in miniature. So, by God’s grace, we should plan for the future but
should live each day ready for the return of Jesus—especially because,
given the contingencies of this life, today could be our last day.
How can you, today, be ready for the return of Jesus were He to
return today? Discuss your answer in class on Sabbath.
