Tonight, we had our youth academic awards banquet. Lyrics from the opening song said, “He is Lord, He has risen from the dead, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” This got me to thinking. We must be prepared because Christ is soon to return. When we are toasting bread, soon can mean within the next sixty seconds. When a mother is expecting the birth of a child, soon may mean anything up to 36 to 39 weeks. Subsequently when we say, “Jesus is coming soon” we must qualify the definition of soon. According to Merriam-Webster soon is defined as “in a short time, in the near future or quickly; or without undue time lapse: before long.” In the book of Revelation Christ Himself stated that “He is coming soon: He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.” The book of Revelation was written over two thousand years ago, this causes numerous of folks to ponder what Jesus implied by soon. According to the New Strong complete dictionary of Bible words the Greek word tachu, is translated soon or quickly, meaning without excessive delay. 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us that “The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent.” God’s plans are perfect. “He knew His people in advance” and “He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ.” His primary reason for delaying His return is to allow for all His sons and daughters be saved (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:29) No one knows or can foresee when Christ will return. “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father (Matthew 24:36). We must live expecting the imminent return of Christ because we will have to give an account for how He finds us. Revelations 22:11 clearly tells us “Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy. “Be prepared because He is coming without excessive delay. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20) Are you prepared? Because as the lyrics of the song says “Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”

Written by: Deacon David Caldwell