Later the rest of the virgins also came and said, ‘Master, master, open up for us!’
“But he replied, ‘I assure you:  I do not know you!'”
“Therefore, be alert because you don’t know the day or the hour.”     Matthew 25:11-13 HCSB

You may recognize these verses as coming from the parable of the ten virgins. Five were prepared and had plenty of oil. Five didn’t have enough oil and had to leave to go buy more. Of course, as fate would have it, while they were gone the groom showed up and everyone went in with him to the wedding banquet and the door was shut. They were locked out.

Jesus told this parable to stress the importance of being ready. We do not know the day or the hour when He will come back (Matthew 24:36). In Matthew 24:42 Jesus said, “Therefore, be alert, since you don’t know what day or hour your Lord is coming.”

We prepare for many things in our lives. We buy the groceries we need to prepare a certain meal. We bring out raincoats or umbrellas when the forecasters predict rain. We fill our car with gas, check our tires and our fluids before taking a long trip. We dress accordingly to what we will be doing on any given day or to be prepared for weather conditions.

But how many of us are truly prepared for the Lord’s return? In Matthew 24:42 Jesus tells us to be alert or be prepared. In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter tells us to be sober and alert for the roaring lion prowls around seeking someone to devour. Again, in Matthew 25, after Jesus told the parable of the ten virgins, he warned them to be alert.

This will upset some, but I have to tell you, you have to be sober to be alert. If you have ever been intoxicated, you know this to be true. The Bible specifically tells us in Ephesians 5:18 not to be drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit, meaning God’s Holy Spirit.

Each day we draw closer to Christ’s return. Each day we are given one more day to get prepared. When we are told a hurricane is headed our way, we usually have a couple days to prepare. We go out and buy water and non-perishable food items and gas for our generators.

The Bible tells us the tribulation is coming and we don’t want to be caught up in that. Are we preparing for that? Are we keeping ourselves sober and alert? Are we establishing a solid relationship with our Lord and Savior so He will not say, “Depart from me I never knew you” (Matthew 7:21)? Are we doing God’s will?

If we aren’t, then we are being foolish. If we aren’t remaining sober and alert, we are being foolish. The Bible tells us in Matthew 24:15-28 that there will be a great tribulation and it’s going to get really bad. Are you prepared?

When we prepare for a storm, we have to go out and get items or we have to gather those we have purchased and kept on hand. To prepare for Jesus’ return, we have to have our hearts ready. We have to surrender them to Christ. We have to be obedient to Him. We must take even our thoughts captive in obedience to Him (2 Corinthians 10:5).

My friend, what we do, what we say and what we think determines our preparedness. We must have a heart of compassion for those who are lost. We must do our best to share God’s love with others. We must be a witness to those who are lost. We must trust in Him, and we must obey Him. This is how we prepare for Christ’ return.

My prayer for you is that you are ready. If you are ready, look at those around you. Help them to prepare for what’s coming. Only those of us who are prepared will enter the kingdom of heaven when our bridegroom comes for us (His church). You don’t want to be locked out because you weren’t prepared.

Have a great day!