When we see the news and what is transpiring around us, it is not hard to think about the end times and what we as Christians should expect in the days just before us. Yeshua (Jesus) said, “Be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will” (Matthew 24:43–44).[1] Yeshua’s return will happen at a time when you do not expect it. Therefore, if we want to be prepared for the end times, we should be ready for the unexpected. End-time events will happen suddenly, and people will be unprepared for them.
Yeshua taught quite a bit about how quickly things would transpire. In the parable of the ten virgins, all those waiting for the bridegroom got drowsy and began to sleep (Matthew 25:1–5). They were all overtaken by the bridegroom’s delay. For us it has been over two thousand years since Christ ascended into heaven. That could qualify as a delay. Whether you are prudent or foolish, this delay is something that makes us all fall asleep and lose our focus. But what made the prudent able to participate was the fact that they had extra oil for their lamps. They had prepared beforehand and were ready for this sudden event. Yeshua finished the parable by saying, “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13).
We must be ready for how suddenly things will happen. We know it “will be just like the days of Noah” (Matthew 24:37). Before the flood, they were eating and drinking; they were marrying and giving in marriage. Life was going on as usual. They were going about their normal daily function at the moment the flood came. They were not on the alert. So the only way to be prepared is to prepare for something that will happen suddenly, and at a time that you do not expect.
The same thing happened in the days of Lot: they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. “But on the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. It will be just the same on the day that the Son of Man is revealed” (Luke 17:29–30). It will not happen when anyone thinks it will. We must be in readiness for the sudden event that surprises even those of us who believe we are ready and are expecting it.
The Lord is not slow about His promises but is patient toward us (2 Peter 3:9). It is not delay; it is grace. God gives grace for people to find Him, believe in His Word, and come to repentance. His Word will be fulfilled. When He is done waiting, it will all transpire quickly.
The smallest one will become a clan,
And the least one a mighty nation.
I, the LORD, will hasten it in its time.” (Isaiah 60:22)
God will hasten it in its time. So just keep believing. When the Lord moves, it will be sudden. He is coming quickly. Will you be ready? Lord, help us to be alert. Let us reach into You and be prepared.
Listen to this entire message: GIG88 Suddenly!
[1] All Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995).