BE YE READY
EASTER CONFERENCE BIBLE STUDY, 2008
THEME: BEHOLD HE COMETH
TOPIC: BE YE READY
TEXT: MATTHEW 24:35-51
MEMORY VERSE: Therefore, be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think
not the son of man cometh. Mathew 24:44.
Behold the bridegroom cometh and He cometh at midnight as indicated in the Holy Scriptures (Bible). The night is a time of total darkness and is associated with some specific activities and categories of beings, human and spirit. It is a time meant for people to sleep and rest after the day's labour. It is also a time when many diversified and wicked programmes and activities are carried out. Such activities include armed robbery, witchcraft and occult activities, ritual killings/sacrifices assassination, fornication and adultery, reveling (partying), drunkenness, marine activities e.g. Ogbanje or Emire to mention but a few.
From the above description, night hours record high rate of evil activities. From the book of Isaiah, it is stated "FOR, BEHOLD, THE DARKNESS SHALL COVER THE EARTH, AND GROSS DARKNESS THE PEOPLE". Isaiah 60:2a. Here, darkness is of two types - the physical and the spiritual. The physical darkness does not favour majority of the physical and human activities, except the physical rest otherwise known as sleep.
But the spiritual darkness affects both the physical and spiritual life of man on earth. It favours and promote all satanic activities. The spiritual darkness is a direct arrow (programme) against the church of Jesus Christ, in order to hinder her from the attainment of the spiritual godly goals of her Master.
Presently, the spiritual atmosphere globally is showing the spiritual lethargy of the present church. The church is passing through her mid-night hour, that is, the church is asleep spiritually and can be best described and compare with the LAODICEAN Church. Rev. 3:14-19. As a result of the present spiritual darkness in the church as prophesied earlier, there is lukewarmness, unfaithfulness, stubbornness and all forms of wickedness among her members.
Therefore, the church is being called upon to awake from her spiritual slumber and be ready for the return of her husband (CHRIST).
Definition of Readiness: Readiness is a state or condition of both physical and spiritual alertness; on the other hand, it connotes the idea of vigilance and preparedness. In different areas of human endeavour and involvements, readiness is demanded. For example, in the time of physical war, readiness is required on the part of the soldiers, also in project execution, readiness is almost the final foot-note in the planning. On the part of students at various levels, readiness to study their books must be upper most in their scale of preference. In the light of the subject-matter under discussion, that Jesus is coming back soon, it becomes absolutely necessary for His followers to be ready.
* WHO IS TO BE READY?
The church of Jesus Christ otherwise known as His wife is to be ready. It should be noted that the church is the body of believers in Christ worldwide. Rev. 19:7.
* READY FOR WHO?
The Lord Jesus, Who was received into heaven will return, therefore the Church should be ready for Him. Luke 12:36-37, Acts 1:11
* WHEN TO BE READY?
Behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation. It is now and not tomorrow. II Cor. 6:2; Rom. 13:11.
* REQUIREMENTS FOR READINESS:
For anybody to be ready, the requirements dictate that one's garment must be white and a steady oil on one's head. In other words, he or she must stand right before God. Also, the person must cast off all works of darkness and at the same time, put on the armour of light always. Eccl. 9:8; Rev. 19:8-9; Rom.13:12-14; Matt. 25:4.
* CONSEQUENCES OF COMPLACENCY (NEGLIGENCE)
The consequences of negligence are many, namely, what the person has, will be taken away from him or her, the door or the gate of heaven will be shut against the person, the Lord Jesus will deny such a one, and the person will finally be cast into the utter darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matt. 24:48-51; 25:8-13, 24-30; Rev. 21:8.
* READINESS AND ITS BENEFITS:
The benefits of readiness are expressed in these terms for the benefactors, the gate of heaven shall be opened to them, they shall be ushered into God's eternal presence, they shall be rewarded accordingly as they had laboured in God's vineyard. Rev. 21:3-4,7; Matt. 25:10; 24:45-47; Rev. 22:5-14.
* CONCLUSION:
It should be clearly understood by any serious minded believer in Christ, that the ultimate in life should be to arrive in God's eternal presence after the toils of this world will be over. There is nothing to be compared with the bliss of heaven, hence our Lord Himself said in I Cor. 2:9. "But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ears heard, neither have it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him". As believers in Christ, who are alive today, we should aspire to be in God's Eternal Presence after our life journey on earth. Therefore, what I said before, I say again, Be Ye Ready.