“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’” (Matthew 25:6)

Some people may believe they are going to heaven and may even be looking forward to the return of Jesus, yet still not necessarily be Christians. As they look at the world today and realize that Bible prophecies are being fulfilled, they might even believe that Christ is returning soon. But that doesn’t necessarily mean they are Christians.

In the parable of the ten bridesmaids, Jesus told the story of bridesmaids who were attending a wedding (see Matthew 25:1-13). Five were wise, and five were foolish. The five wise bridesmaids had oil in their lamps, while the five foolish ones did not. And when the cry went out that the bridegroom was coming, the five bridesmaids who were wise were ready to meet him. But the foolish bridesmaids were unprepared.

Jesus told this story to illustrate the fact that you can appear to be a Christian. You can sit in church next to other Christians. You can carry a Bible like everyone else. You can even believe in the soon-coming of Jesus Christ for His church. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you know Him.

If you truly have a relationship with Christ, then the truth that He could come back at any time should dramatically impact the way you live. The Bible says, “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3).

In other words, if you really are a follower of Jesus Christ and believe He will soon return to earth, you will strongly desire to be a more godly person. You will truly want to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord, and you will hate the very idea of grieving or disappointing Him. You will want to avoid the things that would be wrong or sinful or spiritually detrimental, and you’ll be doing your utmost to follow Him and grow in Him.

Does that sound like you? Are you ready for His return?

_______________________________