The need for preparation for the judgment day is well described in Jesus’ parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, related in Matthew 25.
While the bridegroom tarried, the five virgins who had not sufficiently prepared ran out of oil to fuel their lamps. They had to leave to get more oil, and when they were away, the bridegroom came, and they were locked out of the wedding feast (1-12). Jesus’ application is given in the 13th verse, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”
The idea of watching is seen in preparation. It is important for us to prepare ourselves for eternity because it is of the greatest importance. “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matthew 16:26-27).
God gave us this life to prepare for the life to come. King Solomon wrote in the book of Ecclesiastes about all of the valued pursuits of man while living on the earth. He spoke of work, mirth, youth, family, fame and glory. His conclusion regarding a life lived without respect to God? “’Vanity of vanities’ says the Preacher, ‘All is Vanity’” (12:8). Why is your life completely useless if God is not in the picture? Solomon’s conclusion, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (12:13-14).
This theme is present throughout the wise man’s writings. It is truly foolish to live a life without knowing and fearing God. Or putting it positively, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
If you know God, you know that true preparation is found in service to Him. Jesus told His disciples to go out into the world and make disciples, baptizing them in God’s name. They were to teach these new followers “to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:20).
This preparation to serve God is found in:
- Studying His Word. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” ( 2 Timothy 2:15).
- Devotion in Teaching Others. “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).
- Diligent Effort, Working in the Kingdom. “Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.’” (Matthew 9:37-38).
It is hard to imagine the man who believes He has eternal standing with God even if he neglects his stewardship. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall” (Matthew 7:26-27).
An awareness of the fragility of our lives here on earth will help in this endeavor. James wrote, “…you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). He called it arrogant to live our lives without preparation for our deaths. His conclusion, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 1:17).
If we live our lives with this truth in mind: “…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27), our diligent service will naturally follow! This is seen in example by the Eunuch’s urgent question of Philip, “See, here is water. What hinders me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36). He wanted to rise in newness of life, to begin his walk with the Master. Whatever hindered that walk he wanted removed so that he could start!
The reality is that our existence does not end. Jesus gives a sobering picture of judgment as He describes the sheep and the goats, “When the Son of Man comes in His glory.” The sheep on the right hand of Jesus were told, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” However, the goats on the left received these words, “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:31-ff).
Consider this sobering exhortation given by our Lord which has a needed application for us today, “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” (Luke 21:34).
Salvation is our glory. Eternity in heaven is our goal. Hope is our anchor. Love is our motivation. The Judgment of God is our surety that all of this matters! The Lord revealed to disobedient and corrupt Israel in Amos 4:11-12, ‘“…you have not returned to Me,’ Says the Lord. ‘Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel.’”
God’s action toward ungodliness is known and sure. All that remains is for us is to avoid destruction by godly living!
