I Wish We'd All Been Ready

Back in the 70's when I was a teenager, (I know I'm dating myself,) our youth group started a study on Revelation. Back then there were no computers for the everyday person. We did not have desktops, laptops, iPads and phones that we carried around. Technology did not have the capability to place a mark on people and track them, and many small countries had not yet heard the gospel in their language. In other words, the possibility of many of the things spoken of in Revelation actually happening at that time seemed like something out of a sci-fi movie. Not so today. All is in place. Technology has advanced to such a place where everything foretold in the Bible could now be accomplished.

I remember watching the "Left Behind" movie back in 1994 of the rapture and the chaos of what is left behind thereafter. There is a line in the theme song that says, "I wish we'd all been ready." The message felt relevant then, but even more so now. If ever there was a generation of believers poised for the great airlift into the presence of God, it is ours.

2020 has shaped up to be the weirdest year of my life thus far. Not the worst, mind you, but most definitely unsettling. People are gripped with fear because of Covid, the economies of the world have been shut down and are challenged like never before. And now all the unrest, the rioting, the cry for justice screams out. Yet this cry for justice is expressed with rioting, looting and lawlessness in which the very thing they fight against is what they mete out. Fear has turned to anger. It feels like the world is crying out like a woman in labour pains and we are only half way through.

• Matt. 24:6-12 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. …you will be hated for My name' sake. And many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many, and because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold."
• Jesus reminds us in Luke 21:28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."
• Mark 13:37 "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
• Luke 22:18 But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 36) Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass and to stand before the Son of Man."

Dear Christian, never has there been a more important time to stand. Not with our heads bent low, or our hearts crippled with fear. NO. We are to rise each morning in the power of the Holy Spirit with our heads lifted high. We are to watch with anticipation, and excitement at the thought of seeing our Jesus. We are not to be taken by surprise, nor weighted down with the cares of this world. We are to pray for our unsaved loved ones, and love people well. We are not to be shocked that the world will hate us because we speak God's truth, or even that our family members betray us, for there will be many who are deceived and their love for God has grown cold.

Let's be ready to meet Jesus Christ our Savior. (Titus 3:6)

Let's press toward that glorious day when Jesus will say… Matthew 25:23 "Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord."

Listen to the words of this song by Jordin Sparks called, "I Wish We'd All Been Ready." It will inspire you to pray just a little harder for your unsaved loved one.