Every generation has looked at world events and thought, “Surely Jesus must be coming very soon.” Wars (Russia, Ukraine, China, Israel, Hamas, North Korea), earthquakes, and political unrest are all pointed to as proof that the end is upon us. But when people asked Jesus for signs, the Bible says He
“sighed deeply in his Spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? Verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given” Mark 8:12.
The only sign He ever promised was His death and resurrection, the sign of Jonah. That was enough then, and it is sufficient now.
I remember sitting in the doctor’s office when I heard the words, “stage four cancer.” My first question was the one every patient asks: “How much time do I have?” The doctor looked at me and said,
“Even if I knew, I would never tell you. Because it would change the way you live. You would stop enjoying life and start counting down the days. You have already beaten the odds. Take advantage of every day.”
That is precisely what Jesus told us about His coming. “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” Matthew 24:36. The Father kept that day hidden, not to frustrate us, but to free us. He knows that if we had the date, we would waste our lives staring at the calendar instead of living in His Spirit.
Readiness is not about charts, speculation, or decoding the news. Readiness is Christ Himself living in us. Paul said,
“Christ in you, the hope of glory” Colossians 1:27.
Every time you forgive instead of holding bitterness, that is His life in you. Every time you love someone unlovely, that is resurrection power at work. Every time you trust instead of fear, that is the Spirit proving you belong to Him.
When we chase signs, it is often fear in disguise or disgust with the time God gave us to live. We want control. We want out. If we can determine the timeline, we will be safe and happier. But God did not call us to control tomorrow. He called us to trust Him today.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” Proverbs 3:5.
So what does it look like to live ready? It looks like showing love to your family, walking in forgiveness, keeping your heart pure before God, working honestly, serving quietly, giving generously, and sharing the good news with others. That is living in the Spirit. That is living ready.
Yes, we can study prophecy. Yes, we can long for His appearing. But do not spend your life staring out the window, waiting to escape when Christ is already living within you. Do not let speculation rob you of today’s joy. One day, the trumpet will sound. One day, the sky will open. But until that day, the call is simple. Live this day in His love. Do not count the days. Live them.