Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them. If he comes during the middle of the night, or near dawn, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

But know this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour (Luke 12:35-40).

If you somehow learned that Jesus would return tomorrow or next week, what would you do?

A number of imaginative stories have been written about people who are told that Jesus is to visit them the next day. This spurs them to great activity. They clean their houses; they wear their best clothes; they clear their calendars. Some turn down all requests for help during the day because they want to be ready to receive Jesus when he comes. Others respond to the appeals of various individuals who come to them, giving them aid they need. But Jesus never appears. Eventually it becomes clear in both cases that Jesus had indeed visited them - in the person of those who came to them for help.

These stories have a parallel in real life. From time to time we hear of a group of people who have become convinced that Jesus will return on a specific date. They make preparations to meet him. Often they dispose of their property because they are sure they won't need it anymore - they're going to heaven! They may dress in white robes and gather on a hilltop so they can be the first to greet their Lord when he comes.

They are disappointed of course. Jesus does not come according to their schedule. For no one can predict the time of his coming - it will be totally unexpected.

But if we are sure that Jesus is going to return some day to usher in a new and perfect existence - even though we do not know the date - shouldn't we be making some preparations for it? Jesus told several parables that emphasize the importance of being ready for his coming. "Keep awake therefore," he said, "for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming ... Therefore you also must be ready" (Matthew 24:42, 44). Paul wrote that because we are children of light we should not be caught by surprise by Christ's return.

How should we prepare? How does our belief in the Second Coming affect our present lives? The significance of the promise of Christ's return is not limited to the future; it is meant to have an influence on us now as we are waiting. Let us consider three ways in which we should be preparing to receive Jesus:+By focusing on the future.+By carrying out God's work.+By making use of the resources God has given us.

By focusing on the future.

The recognition that Jesus is coming again should help us to turn our attention to the future. When we realize that something better lies ahead we can avoid becoming so preoccupied with our daily activities that we are unprepared for what is to take place later. People who have a terminal illness or are told they don't have long to live often say that they now understand what is really important in life. It is not what the world holds up as most desirable. Money, power, entertainment have no lasting value. What counts are relationships and spiritual values. These will go with us into a new existence.

So Paul advised, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth" (Colossians 3:2). Like the Israelites, who ate the Passover meal while standing, dressed to travel, so they would be ready to leave Egypt as soon as the word was given, we are to be ready at any time to follow our leader to a new heaven and earth. For our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20); we are just pilgrims passing through this world (Hebrews 11:13).

If our lives have been full of trouble, the knowledge that a better existence awaits us gives us hope. We are strengthened to endure and don't succumb to despair. If our lives have been generally good, the expectation that even better things await us enriches our present life.

Anticipation of a good experience to come adds to our enjoyment of it. Planning the trip can give as much pleasure as traveling. The Christian knows that there is more to come and lives in joyful expectation of Christ's return. The blessings we already have are nothing compared to what will be. "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). We live in joyful anticipation of the greater blessings to come when Christ takes us to live with him forever.

By carrying out God's work.

There is work to be done. Jesus gave us responsibilities to carry out during his absence - to proclaim the gospel and to show love to others. His earthly ministry was urgent because the "night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4). The same urgency applies to us. The time is short; we must do what we can in the time remaining.

Some of the Christians in Thessalonica apparently concluded that since Jesus was going to return to establish his kingdom in the very near future there was no reason for them to keep working. They could just sit and wait because when Jesus came everything that needed to be done would instantly be completed. A similar attitude seems to exist among those today who quit their jobs and gather on hillsides to greet Jesus. Paul strongly criticized the Thessalonians and told them to get busy. "For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living" (2 Thessalonians 3:11-12).

When Martin Luther was asked what he would do if he knew Jesus would return the next day he reportedly answered, "I would plant a tree." In the first place, it is impossible to know whether we shall meet Jesus tomorrow. Therefore, rather than trying to do some last minute cramming for our "finals," we are to be prepared at all times. Whether Christ comes tomorrow or after thousands of years we are to use whatever time remains in continuing to do whatever work he has called us to do.

Obviously this means we refrain from evil. Jesus warned, "Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly, like a trap" (Luke 21:34). Peter wrote, "Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, what sort of persons ought you to be in leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God ..." (2 Peter 3:11-12).

Paul declared, "The night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy" (Romans 13:12-13). The letter to Titus says that God's grace trains us "to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:12-13).

"Above all," wrote Peter, "maintain constant love for one another." He gives it a practical application: "Be hospitable to one another without complaining" (1 Peter 4:8-9). This too is said in the context of "the end of all things is near." Scripture warns that Christians may experience more opposition and persecution as the return of Christ draws near. Thus this loving support of one another becomes all the more significant.

This is our task as Christians: to serve God by doing his will, bringing the good news of God's love to others in word and deed. To be engaged in the work Jesus has given us to do is the best preparation for his coming. He told his disciples, "Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives" (Luke 12:43).

By making use of the resources God has given us.

If we are to be faithful in carrying out God's will in the interim until Christ returns we need to be in constant contact with Christ and use the resources he has provided for us. In order for us to be useful for him in this world, Jesus urged us to "abide in me" - to be continually connected to him as a branch is connected to a vine.

How do we do this? By using his word. "If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you," Jesus said (John 15:7). By constant attention to his words which assure us of his love and promise his grace we are led to pray for and receive all that we need to do his will. So Timothy was advised to "continue in what you have learned," referring to "the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." The letter to him points out that the scriptures can not only instruct us for salvation but are "useful for teaching, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

Jesus promised to send his Spirit to enable us to remain faithful and to be effective witnesses by teaching us more of his love and giving us wisdom and power. We rely on that promise, allowing the Spirit entrance to our lives by making use of the Word and sacraments through which the Spirit works. Paul related the sacrament of the Lord's supper to Christ's return, saying, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Another resource is fellowship with other Christians. By our association with other believers we strengthen and encourage one another to remain faithful witnesses. So the writer to the Hebrews said, "And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25). Paul also urged all believers, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God" (Colossians 3:16).

Jesus promised to return. Again and again he told his disciples to watch so they would be ready. "Beware, keep alert; for you do not know when the time will come" (Mark 13:33). He wants us to be ready. He has given us a task to carry out and has provided adequate resources through his Word, his Spirit, and the fellowship of his followers.

The message of the Second Coming is primarily one of encouragement to Christians. To others it may be a warning of impending judgment - a call to repentance. But to believers it is good news. It gives us hope! It strengthens our faith, enabling us to endure trials and to witness to Christ. It motivates us to carry out God's will and proclaim his love by serving others.

Christ is coming again! Not to suffer but to reign. He brings with him blessing and victory for all who are his.

"Stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!" (Luke 21:28)