One would think living in such a nation as this, that people would be constantly thinking and preparing for the future. We prepare our food that we eat; we prepare our clothes and other things for a trip that we have planned; this nation prepares its troops for the defense of itself. But it seems that the two most important events in our lives are the two that little or no preparation is made for, at least by the majority of the people of this nation. The two events that most often catch people unprepared are death, and the judgment that will certainly follow (Heb. 9:27). "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."

At a funeral, the statement that one hears so often is, how well he or she had been doing, or it seemed to happen so suddenly. Yet, James 4:17 teaches us, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." One never knows what the day in which we are living will bring forth, but we do know that death and judgment are coming. So it looks like we would be preparing each day as if it were to come that day. Being prepared is something that is taught throughout the Bible. Jesus tells us what we must do in order to prepare for judgment through His word. Since it is His word that will judge us in the day of judgment (Jn. 12:48; Rev. 20:12), then we should listen to Him.

The Bible declares what we must do. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." One must believe. "But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Heb. 11:6). "1 tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Lk. 13:3,5). One must confess Christ before men. "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 10:32). One must be baptized. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mk. 16:16; see also Acts 2:38, Rom. 6:1-6, 1 Pet. 3:21). Revelation 2:10 says, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." These are the things in which we should be always ready. We should be living each day as if it were our last, because it just may be.

Guardian of Truth XXX: 7, p. 200
April 3, 1986