As Christians, one of the core tenets of our faith is the belief in the second coming of Jesus Christ. The Bible speaks extensively about this event, emphasizing the importance of preparation, vigilance, and steadfast faith. The return of Christ is not a vague concept but a promise from God that shapes our daily lives and influences the way we interact with others, live out our faith, and anticipate the fulfillment of God’s kingdom.
In the New Testament, the apostles and Jesus Himself provided numerous instructions, warnings, and encouragements to prepare for His return. As we await the fulfillment of this divine promise, it is crucial to reflect on the Scriptures that highlight how we can prepare ourselves spiritually, mentally, and physically for Jesus’ return.
This article will explore 39 key scriptures that provide guidance on how to prepare for the return of Jesus Christ. These passages will help us understand the importance of living with an eternal perspective, being ready for His arrival, and maintaining a heart of righteousness and readiness. So, let’s dive deep into these Scriptures to ensure that we are spiritually prepared for the day when our Savior returns.
1. Matthew 24:42
“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.”
2. Matthew 25:13
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
3. Mark 13:35
“Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning.”
4. Luke 12:40
“You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
5. Luke 21:36
“But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
6. 1 Thessalonians 5:6
“So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.”
7. Titus 2:13
“Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
8. James 5:8
“You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
9. 1 Peter 1:13
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
10. 2 Peter 3:12
“Waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!”
11. 1 John 3:2-3
“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure.”
12. Revelation 22:7
“And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
13. Revelation 22:12
“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done.”
14. Matthew 24:44
“Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
15. Matthew 25:1-13 (Parable of the Ten Virgins)
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
16. Matthew 24:36
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”
17. Romans 13:11-12
“Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
18. 1 Corinthians 15:52
“In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”
19. Philippians 3:20-21
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself.”
20. Colossians 3:4
“When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
21. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”
22. 1 Thessalonians 5:2
“For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”
23. 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2
“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.”
24. Hebrews 10:25
“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
25. Hebrews 12:28-29
“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
26. James 5:7-8
“Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”
27. 1 Peter 4:7
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.”
28. 1 Peter 5:4
“And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”
29. 2 Peter 3:10-12
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!”
30. 1 John 2:28
“And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at His coming.”
31. Revelation 1:7
“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him. Even so. Amen.”
32. Revelation 16:15
“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”
33. Revelation 3:11
“I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.”
34. Revelation 22:17
“The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”
35. Revelation 22:20
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!”
36. Isaiah 40:3-5
“A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.'”
37. Isaiah 62:11
“Behold, the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the earth: ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him.”'”
38. Zephaniah 1:14-16
“The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there. A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements.”
39. Malachi 4:2
“But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.”
Conclusion
The Scriptures remind us that the return of Jesus Christ is an event that every believer should prepare for with urgency and dedication. These 39 passages offer practical guidance for preparing spiritually, maintaining vigilance, and living in righteousness as we await His glorious return. Whether through keeping our hearts pure, staying alert, or reflecting on the hope of His coming, we are called to remain steadfast in our faith. The second coming of Jesus is certain, and our preparation begins with a heart that is fully surrendered to Him. May these Scriptures encourage and challenge you to live faithfully, eagerly awaiting the return of our Savior.
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