How can one prepare to be raptured up to Heaven and so be with Jesus Christ forevermore?
When it comes to the Rapture, it’s often said that a person must prepare, and so, “Be ready!” This saying is implied by Jesus Himself, who said in Luke 21:28, “Now when these things begin to happen…” (“things” meaning when the signs of the end times begin to occur), then “look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.” In other words, Jesus was commanding His followers to “Be ready!” because He will indeed return, and when He does, look up because His return will be swift.
Society has been looking warily at the signs of the end times Jesus gave in Matthew 24 and Luke 21: false prophets and messiahs, plagues and diseases, shattering earthquakes, fearful socio-economic events, wars and rumors of wars, surprising signs in the sky, and many more. All these signs Jesus mentioned would mark the time leading up to His return. Well, they are inarguably happening today, and in greater frequency and intensity, just like birth pangs.
Then there’s what’s known as the “super sign”—the sign of the fig tree. When Israel, symbolized as a fig tree, rebudded and became a nation once more, then that would be the generation that would see the return of Jesus Christ. Israel did indeed become a nation once more in May 1948. The fig tree has rebudded, indicating that the world now finds itself living in the final days leading up to Christ’s return.
Since all these end-time signs Jesus laid out are happening in this day and age, we can be certain that our Lord is coming soon. And, because He’s coming soon, we need to “Be ready!”
What One Must Do to Be Ready
Knowing Christ’s return is imminent, we each must ask this question: “What must I do to be ready?” Jesus answered this question in Luke 21:34-36.
“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
In this passage, Jesus gave us five things to do to “Be ready!” for His return in the clouds to rapture the Church up to Heaven.
Number one is to avoid sinning. If you are a Christian, then you obviously should be living a holy life as an ambassador of our Savior. So, avoid sinning at all costs.
And, if you have yet to have placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you’re continuing to live a life of sin, and that means you are nowhere ready for when the Lord returns. Why is that? Because being prepared for the Lord’s return requires having accepted Jesus as one’s Savior. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). But, once saved, your sins will be forgiven and forgotten, and you can stand before God blameless and holy, no longer abiding under His great wrath.
Number two is to keep watching. Jesus commands us to look out for His return. You’ll hear some people ignorantly claim that Bible prophecy is all nonsense. And yet, Jesus Himself has said that when we see these signs of the end times, then keep watch. Therefore, Jesus wants us to expectantly watch for His return.
Number three points out that since we are living in evil times, we should pray to escape evil. Pray for the Lord to protect you, your family, your church, your friends, and your nation. We need all the protection we can get living in these dark days.
Number four, put your hope in the fact that Jesus is returning. Jesus will rapture all those who believe in Him as Savior, taking them all up to Heaven, before He pours His terrible wrath and judgment upon the world for its continued rebellion. The Rapture is what’s called our “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13). Knowing that Christians will not have to face the worst period in all human history—the Tribulation—is meant to provide us hope for today. So, grab a hold of that hope!
But how does one grab hold of that hope? Number five, accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you have not yet accepted Jesus as your Savior, then in faith and repentance, pray from your heart. Express your belief that Jesus is the Son of God and acknowledge that He died for your sins, then beat death by resurrection Himself from the grave. When you put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, He will forgive you of your sins, your guilt will be swept away, and you will inherit eternal life with your Heavenly Father forever.
So, how can one “Be ready!” for Christ’s return? In summary: avoid sinning, keep watching, pray to escape evil, hope for the Rapture, and accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you do these five things, then you will indeed “Be ready!” for the Rapture.
