C. D. Plum
Parkersburg, W. Va.
When I say "IF" Jesus should come today, I do not mean to express a doubt concerning the fact that Jesus is coming back; I only mean that the "if" is to signify that I do not know for sure that he will come today.
Certainty of Christ's Coming
"Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh" (Matt. 24:44). "I will come again" (Jno. 14: 3). "So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many: and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation" (Heb. 9:28). These and other scriptures prove beyond doubt that Christ will certainly return at some time.
Uncertainty of Christ's Return
"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father" (Mk. 13:32). Many little puny men run around and tell that Jesus will return at such and such a time. They are false prophets. They do not know. They cannot know. "Let God be true, but every man a liar" (Rom. 3:4).
The Time Is Not the Important Thing
The important thing is not when will Christ come, BUT AM I READY WHEN HE COMES? "Therefore be ye also ready" said Jesus. The New Testament reveals to people HOW TO GET READY; also HOW TO STAY READY.
How To Get Ready
1. BELIEVE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS (Rom. 10:10). "Faith comes by hearing" (Rom. 10:17).
2. REPENT UNTO LIFE (Acts 11:18).
3. CONFESS UNTO SALVATION (Rom. 10:10)
4. BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST (Gal. 3:27). "Buried with him in baptism" (Col. 2:12L'"Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins" (Acts 22:16).
How to Stay Ready
1. FAITHFULLY ATTEND EVERY CHURCH SERVICE POSSIBLE (Heb. 10:25; Acts 2:42). Regular worship is a MUST. We should fill and thrill on the bread of life, the milk of the word, and the meat of the gospel.
2. Present the body a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1; I Cor. 6:19-20).
3. GIVE AS PROSPERED (I Cor. 16:1-2).
4. Commune weekly (Acts 20: 7; Acts 2:42).
5. PRAY and not FAINT (Lu. 18:1; Jas. 5:16).
6. SING in the midst of the CHURCH (Heb. 12:1; Heb. 13:15; Col. 3:16).
7. LIVE SOBERLY, RIGHTEOUSLY, AND GODLY {Tit. 2:11-12)
8. EMPHASIZE THE SPIRITUAL (Lu. 10:38-42).
9. LOVE THE BRETHREN (Heb. 13:1}.
10. Banish malice, guile, hate (I Jno. 3:10, 15; I Pet. 2:1-2).
What Will Jesus Do?
Jesus will do the following things at his return:
1. He will take vengeance on the wicked (2 Thess. 1:7-10)
2. He will show mercy to the righteous (Heb. 8:12; I Thess. 4:16-18)
Where Will You Live After Christ's Return?
That all depends on how you lived before the day of Christ's return (Matt. 25:31-46).
TRUTH MAGAZINE XIV; 32, pp. 5-6
June 18, 1970
