New CreationSample

How should we prepare for Jesus’ return?

We should be ready for Jesus’ return by loving God and loving our neighbor through the power of the Spirit, sharing the Gospel of Jesus in every opportunity.

Are you ready for Jesus to come back? It’s a huge question, and, if you’re willing to take it seriously, it can even be disruptive. On the one hand, we can’t wait for the end of things like pain and brokenness and death. Those are terrible things and we can’t wait for Jesus to put an end to them. We’re also excited for the life of heaven, where we will experience endless joy.

But, on the other hand, are we ready to meet Holiness itself? Are we the kind of people, the kind of Christians, that are ready for that day, when holiness floods the whole universe?

For this idea, Paul uses an interesting image in the third chapter of 1 Corinthians. He says that, when Jesus returns, the earth will be consumed by fire. Now, this is not so that the earth will be destroyed, but so that it will be purified from its sinfulness and corruption. Corruption will, in a sense, be burned up. And the image makes perfect sense because Scripture often talks about God as a consuming fire.

So, the idea is that, one day, when Jesus returns, God will flood the universe with His holiness. But how do we prepare for that day?

Paul uses another image. He says that we’re building a temple for God’s new world and that we had better use strong materials—gold, silver, and precious stones—which can endure the fire. If not, then the parts of the temple which we have built with weak materials will be burned up.

But what does this image mean? The temple signifies the Church and its mission in the world. So Paul is saying this: in view of Jesus’ return, when God will purify the whole universe with holy fire, anytime you spend  growing in holiness and strengthening the Church will withstand that day. Only the things done for Jesus will endure.

God gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit not only as a seal or a reminder that we will be able to withstand that day but also to equip us to live with eternal values.

Ask God for wisdom as you consider your life in light of eternity. Are you forming relationships, making decisions and having conversations that will endure?