Jesus Is Coming Again: Are You Ready?
By Jason Lovelace
Key Scripture:
"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I
will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I
am, there ye may be also."
– John 14.3
In these latter and late days, the rise of
evil, the destruction of traditional values, and the erosion
of what is right continues unabated. The sad fact
is that people continue to go about their merry ways, never
thinking of sudden destruction, never realizing that
eternity is never more than one heartbeat, one breath away.
Friends, Jesus is coming again: Are you ready for his
return?
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Signs of the Times - The Bible is
replete with verses that show exactly what this day and age
in which we live...
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"This know also, that in the last days
perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their
own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural
affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent,
fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady,
highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep
into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins,
led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to
come to the knowledge of the truth."
– II Timothy 3.1~7
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“But evil men and seducers
shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.”
– II Timothy 3.13
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“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold
the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be
known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it
unto them. For the invisible things of him from the
creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by
the things that are made, even his eternal power and
Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that,
when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither
were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and
their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to
be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the
uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible
man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping
things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness
through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their
own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God
into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than
the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause
God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women
did change the natural use into that which is against
nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use
of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men
with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in
themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their
knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do
those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all
unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness,
maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit,
malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God,
despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things,
disobedient to parents, Without understanding,
covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable,
unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they
which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do
the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
– Romans 1.18~32
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We can see from these verses what
we are seeing played out on our television screens and our
daily newspapers. People are in love with pleasure and
with sin. If it makes us feel good, we are going to do
it and have it, and to the flames with anything or anyone
that gets in the way of our good feelings. If we want
it, and we need it, then we are going to have it, and if
anyone or anything tells us that its wrong, then we are just
going to tune them out. This is our world. We
have placed ourselves n the throne of God. This is why
abortions have continued unceasingly in the USA for going on
30 years to the tune of more than 50 million babies dead.
This is why the homosexual movement is gaining steam,
gaining special rights, and gaining strength and clout not
only in the world, but in the USA. This is why single
motherhood is on the rise despite clear and blatant studies
showing that children are better off and more well rounded
in their lives with two-parent, Mom-and-Dad homes.
This is why the consumption of alcohol, the viewing of
pornography, divorce rates, teen pregnancies, and broken
homes are not only skyrocketing in secular society, but in
many cases, skyrocketing even higher in the church.
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Jesus Warned Us – Jesus
time and time again clearly warns us in the Bible, his
written, inerrant Word, that he is coming again:
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“Then shall
the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which
took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil
with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with
their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all
slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry
made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said unto the wise, ‘Give us of your oil;
for our lamps are gone out.’ But the wise answered,
saying, ‘Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you:
but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.’
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they
that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the
door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins,
saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered and
said, ‘Verily I say unto you, I know you not.’ Watch
therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein
the Son of man cometh.
– Matthew 25.1~13
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“And Jesus
answered and said unto them, ‘Take heed that no man deceive
you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am
Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of
wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for
all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and
earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the
beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up
to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated
of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many
be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate
one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and
shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound,
the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall
endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this
gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for
a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.’”
– Matthew 24.4~14
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“And Jesus
answering them began to say, ‘Take heed lest any man deceive
you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am
Christ; and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear
of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such
things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against
kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places,
and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the
beginnings of sorrows. But take heed to yourselves:
for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the
synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought
before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against
them. And the gospel must first be published among all
nations. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you
up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither
do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that
hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the
Holy Ghost. Now the brother shall betray the brother
to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up
against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to
death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's
sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall
be saved.’”
– Mark 13.5~13
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“And he said,
‘Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in
my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go
ye not therefore after them. But when ye shall hear of wars
and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must
first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.’
Then said he unto them, ‘Nation shall rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be
in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful
sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. But
before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and
persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into
prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's
sake. And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before
what ye shall answer: For I will give you a mouth and
wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to
gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by
parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some
of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye
shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But
there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your
patience possess ye your souls. And when ye shall see
Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the
desolation thereof is nigh.’”
– Luke 22.8~20
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Friends, we have no
excuse if we are caught on the business end of Jesus’
return. Time and time again he, personally, warned us,
these four passages merely being the tip of the iceberg
concerning Biblical warnings of Jesus’ return. The
Apostle Paul even goes further…
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“For the wrath
of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is
manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the
world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that
are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they
are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God,
they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but
became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart
was darkened.”
– Romans 1.18~21
.
Right here the
Apostle Paul is stating that people have no excuse because
God’s glory is clear and easily seen. When Jesus
returns, people will be without excuse. The signs of
Christ’s imminent return is as clear as the peal of a bell
on a Summer morning in plains of Kansas or the sun rising
over the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. The Bible
also says this…
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“Behold, he
cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they
also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall
wail because of him. Even so, Amen.”
– Revelation 1.7
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“And while
they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold,
two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, ‘Ye
men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this
same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven,
shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into
heaven.’”
– Acts 1.10~11
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“I will not
leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”
– John 14.18
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Friends, Jesus
Christ is coming back. His written Word is clear.
The question is: Are you ready?
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The Bottom Line:
You Can Be Ready! – You don’t have to be left behind and
left out in the darkness when Jesus returns: you, too,
can go with him when the trumpet sounds. All you have
to do is believe. Ask Jesus Christ to come into your
heart and forgive you of your sins. Ask him to repent
and help you live a new life in Him! If you call upon
him, you will be saved…
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“And it shall
come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the
Lord shall be saved.”
– Acts2.21
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“That if thou
shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession
is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith,
‘Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.’”
– Romans 10.9~11
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Trust in Jesus
today!
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Conclusion:
Don’t Be Left Behind – After Jesus returns and takes his
Church to heaven, this world will literally become hell on
earth. Every imaginable (and many unimaginable) horror
will be unleashed upon this planet. The Devil
will be allowed to have full and complete control for a time
of seven years, and it will be one of great horror and
bloodshed. Friend, you don’t want to be caught in this
time. Even if you happen to survive it, the Great
White Throne Judgment awaits (see Revelation 20). You
may even become a Christian after Jesus returns, but if you
live in that time and come to him, you will likely suffer
horrifying and terribly wretched death at the hands of the
antichrist and/or his minions. Why not come to Jesus
now? Trust him today! He’s coming again, very
soon!
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Prayer –
Father, we pray for our world. We pray for Salvation.
Won’t you come to the one reading this article right now and
help them to make that clincher decision, the decision to
ask you for forgiveness and for you to come into their
hearts and lives? We pray it will be so for everyone
who reads this, and we thank you for Jesus Christ, in whose
Name above all names we pray, Amen.
Verse to
Remember:
“Behold, I
come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the
prophecy of this book.”
– Revelation 22.7