Be Prepared!

by Micky Galloway

Matthew 24:42, “Watch therefore: for ye know not on what day your Lord cometh.”
Matthew 24:44, “Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
Matthew 25:13, “Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.”

The adage, “failing to plan is planning to fail” is certainly true. In the above passages, the need to prepare for the coming of the Lord was emphasized. The consequences for being unprepared are seen in the expression, “there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” We are told this phrase, “is used consistently throughout the gospel in reference to final punishment or in illustrations of it (see Matthew 8:12; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30). This makes it clear that Jesus was not speaking of the destruction of Jerusalem, but the punishment of hell assigned to the wicked upon the final Parousia or ‘coming’ of Jesus on the Day of Judgment” (Kyle Pope, Matthew, Truth Commentaries, page 880).

In all our ambitions for life, we emphasize the need for preparation. We prepare to get our driver’s license by studying and training. We prepare for college and careers by studying and training. We want to be prepared when we have a family. We prepare for retirement (cf. Luke 12:15-21), but all of this takes time. A failure to be prepared can result in shame (cf. II Corinthians 9:3-4). It can also result in injuries or death.

Failing to prepare spiritually can result in eternal ruin for ourselves and loved ones. I’ve used the illustration many times of a young man graduating from high school. His grandpa asked him about his plans after graduation. The young man said, “I would like to go to college and get my degree in law.” His grandpa replied, “That’s fine son, what then?” The young man said, “After I get my degree, I would like to establish myself with a reputable law firm.” His grandpa said, “That’s fine son, what then?” The youngster replied, “Perhaps someday I could become a judge.” His grandpa said, “That’s fine son, what then?” The young man replied, “Well grandpa, I guess my life’s dream would be to receive an appointment as a supreme court justice of the United States.” His grandpa was impressed, “That’s fine son, what then?” The young man was perplexed at the lack of understanding of his aged grandpa and said, “Grandpa, that would be a lifetime appointment. I would be there until I died.” His wise old grandpa again spoke, “That’s fine son, what then?” His grandson had unfortunately planned his life, without consideration for that which was most important!

There are many worthwhile endeavors that take considerable time and careful preparation. We prepare to be a good husband or wife (cf. Ephesians 5:22-33). We take time to learn commitment, love, and responsibility. We prepare to be good parents and even grandparents (Ephesians 6:4; II Timothy 1:5; 3:15) and we sacrifice for our little ones. We prepare for good career choices (cf. I Timothy 5:8) with education and sacrifice. All of this is so important.

In all of your planning for this life, always put God first (Matthew 6:33). It will help you choose a companion that will help you go to heaven; someone that will help you teach your children God’s way. In a career choice, plan to serve God. Prepare to serve the Lord as an elder or deacon (or possibly an elder or deacon’s wife). Equip yourself with a love of God’s word so you can teach it to others (I Timothy 4:13, 15-16) and live by it (I Timothy 4:12). Prepare yourself to reach those who are lost, especially among our brethren (James 5:19-20; Galatians 6:1ff). None can be saved without the gospel (Romans 1:16). There is always need for gospel preachers (II Timothy 4:2-4), who will stand for “the faith.”

Why prepare so carefully NOW?

1. Life is brief.
• James 4:14, “What is your life? for ye are as a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
• Job 14:1-2, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble, he cometh forth like a flower and is cut down: He fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.”
• Psalms 90:10, “The days of our years are three score and ten, or even by reason of strength fourscore years: yet is their pride but labor and sorrows, for it is soon gone, and we fly away” Verse 12, “Teach us to number our days that we may get us a heart of wisdom.”


2. Death is certain.
• Ecclesiastes 9:5, “For the living know they shall die.”
• Hebrews 9:27, “It is appointed unto men once to die.”


3. There is an appointed time for judgment.
• Acts 17:31, “Inasmuch as he hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”
• Romans 14:12, “So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.”


4. Matthew 24:44 sums it up: “Therefore be ye also ready; for in an hour that ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people (Matthew 25:34). Never do we find anyone being saved without adequate preparation. When the “Son of man cometh,” it will be too late! “And these (those who are unprepared) shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous (those who are prepared) into eternal life” (Matthew 25:46).