Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. Luke 12:35-38

If Jesus came today, would you be ready? Jesus taught us this parable about being prepared for his second coming. While it seems like we are living in the Last Days, many “Christians” are asleep and not prepared for Christ’s return. Jesus says to “Keep your lamps lit or burning” (Matthew 25) So what does he mean? Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit in the Bible (1 Samuel 16:13; Zechariah 4:1-6; Matthew 25:1-13; Acts 1:8;Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:17-18)

To “Keep your lamps lit” means to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit and ready to serve The Lord. As Jesus said “Blessed are those servants , when Christ comes and knocks, will answer immediately” If we remember Matthew 25, the story of the Ten Virgins, 5 were ready with their lamps full and the other 5 were asleep with their lamps empty. Unfortunately I think most of the Church today is asleep with their lamps empty. It’s time to get on fire for The Lord!

And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not. Then Peter said unto him, Lord, speakest thou this parable unto us, or even to all? And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Luke 12:39-42

So when is Christ going to return? Jesus says himself it will be like a “Thief in the Night”, it will be at a day or hour when you least expect it. Jesus’ purpose for this analogy is , a thief typically breaks into a home when the home owners least expect it, typically at night when they are asleep. This will be the same for Christ return, at a time when you least expect him, and most of the Church is spiritually asleep

 This is why Christ continually emphasises we are to be ready at any hour for His return. Be filled with the Holy Spirit, and watch and wait for The Lord’s return. Peter asks a great question “Is this teaching just for the Apostles or all Christians”? Jesus’ answer is clear, his message is for the entire Church, Be ready and Keep your lamps lit!

Are you ready for the return of Christ? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit? Are you serving The Lord daily, preaching the gospel to the entire world? Keep your lamps lit , lift up your heads, redemption is near Amen!