We always brag that we will be with Christ Jesus one day. However, as the day of reckoning draws near, we ask ourselves whether or not we are ready in truth? We will meet Christ Jesus either after death, by rapture or by God’s special arrangement. Paul wrote in Hebrews 9: 27, it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment. Jesus said to the criminal on the cross in Luke 23: 43, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” Jesus the judge has the final say.
Elijah was taken up to heaven, 2 Kings 2: 9-12. Paul also said in 1 Thessalonians 4: 17, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. The bible says in Acts 1: 9 when he (Jesus) had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Jesus talked about the rapture in Matthew 24: 40-41; Luke 17: 34-35 when some will be caught up into heaven.
By God’s special arrangement, Enoch was taken to heaven, Genesis 5: 24. Scripture does not tell us how it happened. In a similar manner, no one knows where Moses died or was buried, Deuteronomy 34: 5-6. However, Moses and Elijah were alive in heaven with God and joined Jesus in the sight of Peter, James and John at the transfiguration accounts in Matthew 17: 1-3; Mark 9: 4; Luke 9: 30.
Can we extend the time?
Only God can decide the day of our departure. Many at the dawn of departure have wished that God would give them some more time to put things right but that opportunity is scarcely available. God gave Hezekiah fifteen more years when he wept bitterly in prayer, 2 Kings 20: 5-6.
Some people were raised from the dead by grace. They include the widow of Zarephath’s son, 1 Kings 17: 17-24; the Centurion’s servant, Matthew 8: 5-13; the little girl, Mark 5: 35-41; Lazarus, John 11: 1-44. God may in his infinite mercy, allow another chance but that is not guaranteed. Jesus’ story about poor Lazarus and the rich man Dives in Luke 16: 27-31 must be a warning to us.
We may not be lucky to have an extension. David said in Psalms 95: 8, do not harden your hearts, as at the Meribah, as on the day at Messah in the wilderness. Paul quoted this reference in Hebrews 3: 8, 15; 4: 7 saying “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden not your hearts.” We must take caution that if God did not extend the life of his only Son Jesus in spite of Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 26: 39, then we may most unlikely enjoy any extension. The angel of death strictly obeys God’s instructions.
How can we prepare for Jesus?
The terms and conditions on which we may meet Jesus or be in his presence are clearly set out in scripture which include as follows:
We must belong to Christ Jesus
Paul said in 1 Romans 8: 9 anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. John said in Revelation 7: 10 “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” It is the saved who will meet Christ Jesus, failing which hellfire awaits us. Those who truly know God accept Christ Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Jesus said in Luke 19: 10, for the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost. Are we truly saved from sin by his grace?
We must live by God’s plan
Jeremiah 29: 11 says for surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. The welfare plan is for the salvation of our souls through Christ Jesus. Hosea 4: 6 says my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Jesus said in John 14: 6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. In order to know the way, the truth and the life, Jesus said in Matthew 11: 29, take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. At Jesus’ baptism, God said of Jesus in Luke 9: 35, “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!” Why do we dispute God? Sober hearts must listen to Jesus’ teachings.
We must live for the glory of God
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10: 31, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God. In explaining what living to the glory of God means, Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5: 15, those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them. Peter also affirmed in 1 Peter 4: 2, as we live for the rest of our earthly life, we must live no longer by human desires but by the will of God. In line with this teaching, Solomon cautioned in Proverbs 14: 12; 16: 25, sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to death. Solomon asked God for a discerning mind and God gave it, 1 Kings 3: 9-12. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2: 15, those who are spiritual discern all things. We need and must pray for the gift of discernment, 1 Corinthians 12: 10.
We must have the mind of Christ
Jesus said in John 4: 34, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete the work. According to Jesus, his satisfaction was in doing and completing God’s will and we need to be obedient in heart to God. Jesus said in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Among others, Paul explained this in Philippians 4: 8, Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. The mind of Christ is to love God and loving man unconditionally, Matthew 22: 36-40. By this knowledge, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2: 16 we have the mind of Christ. We need the mind of Christ always so we may see Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, in spite of our desire to see you any time soon, we are not ready by biblical standards. We need your Holy Spirit to enable us to prepare for no one knows his days. Help us to love you more and to live for you and not for ourselves for we are yours. Continue to expound your word of life to us who are perishing and live in deceit and denial. Give us a discerning spirit to know what is right in you so we may not hurt you and our souls. Blessed Jesus, let your will and your mind be ours to guide us along the way. Lead us by your light so we may see you always. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
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