Preparing for the Second Coming of Jesus

To be prepared for the second coming of Jesus, you must wholeheartedly embrace and live by the truths revealed in God's Word, demonstrating personal consecration, diligence, and separation from worldly influences. The anticipation of His return is meant to inspire a deeper Christian experience, marked by holiness and active participation in proclaiming His message.

Cultivating a Spirit of Readiness 🌟

Being ready for Jesus' return involves a profound transformation of the heart and life. It's about:

• Wholehearted Faith and Holiness: It is crucial to have a saving faith in your heart and to continually purify yourself, striving for holiness because "without holiness no man shall see the Lord" Hebrews 12:14. This transformation is not something you accomplish in your own strength, but through trust in God, allowing Him to justify and glorify youSITI May 2, 1895, page 278.7+1. The purification of your soul through obedience to the truth, motivated by the Spirit, leads to genuine love for others 1 Peter 1:2216LtMs, Lt 157, 1901, par. 12.

• Vigilance and Prayer: Jesus Himself encourages constant watching and prayer to remain ready for His coming. This means being in the spirit of prayer at all times, ensuring you are prepared and not caught unawares by His arrival Mark 13:36-375T 235.1+1. This habitual watching is your only safety, preventing the day from overtaking you like a thiefTM 233.1.

• Active Engagement in God's Work: Diligence in the "great work which Christ gave his life to accomplish" is essentialChS 84.4+1. All heaven is actively preparing a people for Christ's second coming, and we are called to be "laborers together with God"ChS 84.4+1. This includes proclaiming the message of His coming with earnestness18LtMs, Lt 46, 1903, par. 11+1 and living out righteousness in daily lifeCentralAdvance April 8, 1903, par. 2.

• Temperance and Self-Control: The indulgence of a depraved appetite can destroy the soul's finer feelings and affect reasoning faculties, causing spiritual things to lose their sacredness. Temperance in all things, including eating and drinking, is vital for mental strength and spiritual insightHLv 59.6+4. Self-discipline ensures that appetites and passions are subjected to the mind's higher powersHLv 59.6.

• Separation from Sin and Worldliness: True preparation requires a complete separation from sin, making it a constant consideration to be servants of righteousness unto holinessARSH January 31, 1899, page 68.8. This means turning away from the world's allurements, pride, and materialism15LtMs, Lt 94, 1900, par. 7+2. Covetousness, for instance, cannot coexist with the expectation of Messiah's advent, as the latter frees one from worldly anxietyARSH December 18, 1856, page 51.5.

• Accepting Present Truths: God sends special truths for each age. For our time, the doctrine of Christ's second coming and the related messages, like the three angels' messages of Revelation 14 are crucial for preparing a people for this eventFP1872 11.2+2. These messages are meant to reform, correct, and purify the church4T 7.3.

Embracing the Advent Message 📢

The message of Christ's second coming is not a dry theory but a living truth that should be proclaimed with passion and filled with Christ Himself, "the first and the last, the I AM, the bright and morning Star"ST December 23, 1897, par. 13. Your work of heralding His return is akin to John the Baptist's work, preparing the way for the Lord13LtMs, Ms 173, 1898, par. 5+1. This involves:

• Sounding the Message of Righteousness: The message of Christ's righteousness must be sounded worldwide to prepare the Lord's wayRH July 22, 1909, par. 14+1. It calls for a people to be gathered out from all nationsRH February 26, 1914, par. 7.

• Upholding God's Commandments: The church preparing for Christ's return must be free from papal errors and corruptions, including a reform on the Sabbath question. Keeping God's commandments is vital, as they are "life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh" Proverbs 4:22DAR1909 607.2+1. The Sabbath is a sign of God's sanctifying power and a seal of the perfection He bestows upon those who trust Him Ezekiel 20:12, 20PTUK February 25, 1897, page 115.6.

• Experiencing Spiritual Revival: Before God's final judgments, there will be a revival of primitive godliness, with the Spirit and power of God poured out upon His children. This will lead many to accept the great truths proclaimed to prepare a people for the Lord's second comingTR 19.2+2.

• Understanding Prophetic Signs: Being aware of the signs of the times, such as great earthquakes, famines, pestilencesPTUK December 2, 1897, page 753.1, increasing iniquity, and a general indifference to God's claimsSCOC 58.2, helps you understand the nearness of His coming. These signs serve as warnings to trust in what cannot be shakenPTUK December 2, 1897, page 753.1.

• Avoiding Speculation on the Exact Time: While the nearness of Christ's coming is certain, the exact "day and hour" are not revealed Matthew 24:36DA 632.4+1. Focus should be on constant readiness rather than setting definite times10MR 272.1+1.

The rejection of this truth, as seen in Noah's day, leads to being unprepared for the suddenness of His return Matthew 24:37-39SEADV 18.3+2. Therefore, embrace these truths and allow them to shape your life, so that when Jesus comes, you will be ready to meet Him with joy Isaiah 25:910MR 388.3+1.