Introduction

Brothers and sisters, we are living in a time unlike any other. The world is filled with uncertainty, instability, and confusion. Nations are trembling, moral foundations are collapsing, and the spirit of deception is spreading across the earth. Yet for the believer, these moments should not produce fear—they should produce awareness.

The Bible teaches us that history is not random. It is moving toward a divine appointment. Jesus Christ is coming again.

In John 14:3, Jesus made a promise to His disciples:

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

This promise has echoed through two thousand years of Christian history. Every generation has looked toward the sky and asked the same question: Could this be the generation that sees His return?

Today I want to speak on the message: “It’s Time to Prepare for the Return of Christ.”

1. The Promise of His Return

The return of Christ is not a symbolic idea or a poetic metaphor. It is a literal event promised throughout Scripture.

In Acts 1:10–11, after Jesus ascended into heaven, the angels told the disciples:

“Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”

The Bible repeatedly emphasizes that Christ will return physically, visibly, and gloriously.

Matthew 24:30

“Then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven… and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”

Revelation 1:7

“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him.”

The church is not waiting for a philosophy, a new political system, or a cultural revival.

The church is waiting for a Person — Jesus Christ.

2. The World Will Be Unprepared

One of the most sobering truths in Scripture is that many will not be ready.

Jesus warned in Matthew 24:37–39:

“But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be… they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark.”

In Noah’s day, people were living normal lives. They were busy, distracted, and unconcerned about God’s warnings.

The same condition exists today.

People are focused on:

• Entertainment
• Wealth
• Politics
• Technology
• Personal success

Yet the spiritual condition of humanity continues to decline.

Paul warned about this in 2 Timothy 3:1–5:

“In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves… lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”

Look around today:

• Self-centered culture
• Moral confusion
• Rejection of truth
• Hatred toward biblical values

These are not random developments. Scripture said this would happen before the return of Christ.

3. Signs of the Times

Jesus gave clear signs that would mark the approach of the end of the age.

In Matthew 24, He listed several prophetic indicators.

Wars and Global Instability

Matthew 24:6–7

“Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars… nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”

Today we see constant geopolitical tension:

• conflicts in the Middle East
• rising global military alliances
• nuclear threats
• instability among nations

The Bible teaches that the Middle East will play a central role in end-time prophecy.

Zechariah 12:2–3

“Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about…”

Jerusalem has become one of the most disputed cities in the world.

Increase in Natural Disasters

Jesus said:

Matthew 24:7

“There shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.”

Natural disasters, pandemics, and extreme environmental events are increasing worldwide.

Scripture describes these events as “birth pains.”

Just as birth pains increase in intensity before delivery, the signs of the end will increase as Christ’s return approaches.

Global Deception

Another major sign is deception.

Matthew 24:4–5

“Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name… and shall deceive many.”

Never in history has information been so accessible—and yet truth so difficult to discern.

False teaching, distorted theology, and spiritual confusion are spreading rapidly.

Paul warned in 1 Timothy 4:1:

“In the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits.”

Many today are abandoning biblical truth for cultural approval.

4. The Rise of a Global System

The Bible also describes the emergence of a global system that will prepare the way for the Antichrist.

Revelation 13:16–17

“He causeth all, both small and great… to receive a mark… and that no man might buy or sell.”

For centuries, people wondered how such a system could exist.

Today we see technologies that make global monitoring and economic control possible.

• digital currencies
• biometric identification
• global data tracking
• centralized financial systems

The infrastructure for a global system is developing before our eyes.

This does not mean every technology is evil—but it shows that the conditions described in Revelation are now possible.

5. The Spiritual Condition of the Church

Perhaps the most concerning sign is the condition of the church.

Jesus warned in Matthew 24:12:

“Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”

Many churches today have:

• replaced repentance with comfort
• replaced truth with popularity
• replaced holiness with entertainment

In Revelation 3:15–16, Jesus rebuked the church of Laodicea:

“Because thou art lukewarm… I will spue thee out of my mouth.”

A lukewarm church cannot prepare people for the return of Christ.

God is calling His people back to:

• repentance
• holiness
• spiritual vigilance

6. The Call to Watchfulness

Jesus repeatedly gave one command concerning His return:

WATCH.

Matthew 24:42

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

Luke 21:36

“Watch therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things.”

Preparation requires awareness.

A watchman does not sleep while danger approaches.

The church must awaken spiritually.

7. The Parable of the Ten Virgins

Jesus gave a powerful illustration in Matthew 25:1–13.

Ten virgins were waiting for the bridegroom.

Five were wise.

Five were foolish.

The difference was oil in their lamps.

When the bridegroom arrived, the foolish virgins were not ready.

The door was shut.

This parable teaches a sobering truth:

not everyone who claims to be waiting for Christ is truly prepared.

Preparation requires a genuine relationship with God.

8. Living in Readiness

So how do we prepare?

Scripture gives clear guidance.

1. Live a Life of Repentance

Acts 3:19

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted.”

Repentance is not a one-time event.

It is a lifestyle of humility before God.

2. Pursue Holiness

Hebrews 12:14

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

The return of Christ should inspire us to live differently.

3. Stay Spiritually Awake

Romans 13:11

“Now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.”

We cannot live spiritually asleep in the final hour.

4. Preach the Gospel

Before Christ returns, the gospel must reach the nations.

Matthew 24:14

“This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world… and then shall the end come.”

This is the mission of the church.

9. The Blessed Hope

For believers, the return of Christ is not something to fear.

It is our blessed hope.

Titus 2:13

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”

The world sees chaos.

But the church sees the approach of redemption.

10. A Final Warning

The Bible closes with a powerful declaration from Jesus.

Revelation 22:12

“Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me.”

And again in Revelation 22:20:

“Surely I come quickly.”

The final response of the church should be:

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Conclusion

We are living in prophetic times.

The signs are increasing.

The world is shifting.

The spiritual battle is intensifying.

But above all, the promise still stands:

Jesus Christ is coming again.

The question is not if He will come.

The question is will we be ready?

Today is the time to prepare.

Repent.

Awaken.

Return to the Word of God.

Live with eternity in view.

Because one day the trumpet will sound.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ shall rise first.”

And in that moment, history will reach its divine climax.

Until that day, we live with this conviction:

It is time to prepare for the return of Christ.