How To Prepare For Jesus’ Return

Jesus admonished his followers to prepare for his return as if it was the most important thing in their lives.[34] He used the illustration of a wise servant preparing things for his master’s return. In another instance he spoke of us anticipating his return as (under Jewish custom) a bride should be ready for the arrival of her bridegroom.[35]

When Jesus returns for his own, he will return personally to those who already have a relationship with him. Jesus said, 

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’ [36]

In this passage, Jesus tells us that our good deeds for God are worthless unless we have a relationship with him. The only thing that will count when we die or see him return is knowing him.[37] So, how do we get to know him?

Since Jesus is a person, we simply talk to him, thanking him for dying for us and telling him we want him to be our Lord. According to Jesus, those who personally put their faith in him and receive him into their lives are given the right to become children of God.[38]

When Jesus returns in power, he will separate those who belong to him from those who have left him out of their lives. His return will be followed by a judgment at which time everyone’s thoughts and deeds will be open before him.[39]

In order to prepare for Jesus’ return the most important thing you can do is to understand what Jesus did for you on the cross, and choose to put your faith in him. To make certain you are ready to meet him when he returns, click here to read the article “Why Jesus?”

If you already know Christ, there will be no future judgment for your sins, since Jesus paid for all of them on the cross. As his child, you have been given eternal life with him. Jesus also tells us that what we do for Christ in this life counts. He says,

 My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”[40]He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!”[41]

The Apostle John then responds enthusiastically, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”[42] May each of us have that same expectant attitude and be ready for his return!