The Word of God tells us that Jesus is coming soon. The signs of the time tell us that He is soon to come. In the Bible in Matthew 24th chapter and Luke 21st chapter, it tells us what to look for in the end time. "And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:27 & 28. The Lord Jesus Christ wants us to be ready for His soon coming. No one knows the day nor the hour; but if we follow the Word of God, stay tuned to the Holy Spirit, and lean not on our own understanding; if we acknowledge God in everything we say and do, allowing Him to direct our path; we can be ready. Jesus said He is coming as a "thief in the night". You don't want to be caught off guard. We have to be on our posts day and night; no time out for bad behavior. What means when things are going well and we can see God's blessing in our life; and even when it looks like everything is falling apart, we have to be on guard. Jesus said, "Occupy until I come". He has given us talents to be used for His glory. We can't be sitting around in our comfort zone doing nothing. "Occupy" is an action word. We must be busy about the Father's business, doing what He has purposed for us to do, and don't stop until Jesus comes. (Luke 19:12-27). He expects us to be doing the "greater works" when He comes back: healing the sick, raising the dead, bringing souls into His kingdom, teaching and preaching His Word, helping the poor and needy; going to hospitals and nursing homes, taking songs and the Word of God, to build up and strengthen the weak.
We've got to keep oil in our lamps and keep them burning until the Bridegroom comes for His Bride. Remember the story of the ten virgins; five wise and five foolish? (Matthew 25:1-13). Those wise virgins knew they had to have oil in those lamps to keep them burning, or they would not have been ready to meet the Bridegroom. The foolish virgins had no oil and tried to get some at the last minute, but they were too late. If you have no oil and your lamp goes out, how can you see to do the work of the Lord? "Night is coming when no man can work." (John 9:4).
Have you ever started out on a trip and realized that your gas tank was almost on empty? You know it is urgent that you get some gas, but you make a few stops along the way before you get to the gas station; all the time using up the little bit of gas you had in the beginning. Then, the tank is on empty, the car stops and you can't go anywhere until you get a refill. While we are waiting for Jesus' return, we still have work to do. Therefore, we have to keep our gas tank full. There are souls to be saved, captives to be set free, bodies to be healed, souls to be strengthened and encouraged; and we have a lot of love to be given out. We can't do this if our tanks are running on "empty". We are regularly going to need a refilling. We must stay in the Word of God in order to get direction, comfort, and strength. We have to stay in communion with God our Father through constant and consistent prayer. And we must fellowship with the Body of Christ so that we can strengthen and encourage each other and be fed by the Word of God through His pastors and teachers.
Stay on spiritual tip-toe looking for the appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Occupy until He comes, with your gas tank full, because you still have a lot of errands to run; using the talents that God has given you, being fruitful and productive in bringing souls into the kingdom. Live every day as though you know it to be your last day on earth; as though you know Jesus is coming today. "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13.
