Matthew 24: 36-44

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41 Two women will be grinding with a hand meal; one will be taken, and the other left.

42 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

For over 2000 years, we have been told that Jesus is going to return to this earth. And because he has not yet come people live as though he never will. But we have the promise in the word that he’s going to come back, and he will do it like a thief in the night. He isn’t going to announce it ahead of time so that we can stop sinning, and get ourselves ready. Our time to do that is now! 

The people in Noah’s time mocked him as he built the Ark, they did not listen to any warnings. They continued to live their lives of sin, not understanding that a day of judgment was coming. And when the floods came, they were not ready, and because of their sin, and disregard for their warnings, they all perished.  Noah, his family, and the animals were the only ones spared. 

Noah was a righteous man who obeyed God even when it didn’t make sense to him. He believed that God would do exactly what he said he would do. Sadly, today, too many people do not believe the word of God. They live their lives as though there is no fear that Jesus could return at any moment and no fear of His judgment. When he comes back, there will be no time for last-minute repentance. Jesus telling us about his return is him giving us time to repent and turn from our sins and live holy and righteous lives in preparation for his return right now. 

Scripture is also clear about who will not inherit the kingdom of God.

1  Corinthians 6:9–10 

9 “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived:

Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

Paul was very clear in telling us who will not inherit the kingdom of God. Too many preachers today soften their preaching concerning sin, they do not want to offend or lose any of their congregation. They will not tell you that if you are practicing these things, you are going to go to hell. Yes, we all are guilty of sin, but we do not live a lifestyle of sin. So, if you are living a lifestyle of sin, and you have not repented and turned from your sin, your eternity will be hell.

What is repentance? Repentance means that you recognize that you are a sinner bound for hell, you acknowledge your sin and go to Jesus asking for forgiveness of your sin. You have changed your mind and your direction. When you are truly broken before the Lord, and you are disgusted by how you have lived; then you surrender all of you; your sin, your desires, you everything and ask him to come into your heart and be the Lord of your life. And when this happens you are filled with the Holy Spirit that starts the process of change in you. You are now sanctified ( set apart for special use) and justified (pronounced not guilty). Isn’t that a wonderful thought, to know that after you repent and ask Jesus into your heart, the Father sees you clean, washed, and not guilty! Your sins will no longer be held against you! 

We live in a very permissive society, and we cannot be selective in what we condemn or excuse as sin. The word of God is very clear and detailed on what sin is, and what we must do to be saved. 

As Christians, we must turn our back on this world, the lusts of the flesh, and the desires of this world. We must surrender all of our lives to Christ. We must let Him be the Lord of our lives. 

We cannot participate in the immorality, and sin in this world, we must stand for Jesus! 

When we are born again, we become new creations in Christ Jesus. The old is gone, and the new has come. 

Jesus will return to this earth one day… on that day; “Will you be ready?” If there is any doubt in your mind and heart you need to ask the Lord to search your heart and mind and whatever he brings to mind, repent. Do not be like those who watched the Ark be built, heard the warnings, yet remained in their sin and perished. 

Acts 1:11 

“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will be with the Lord forever 18 

Therefore encourage each other with these words.”

I pray it is today!!! People get ready!