Are You Truly Ready, Or Just Looking the Part?

Sister Deb explores the critical importance of spiritual readiness for Christ's return, examining Paul's teachings in 1 Thessalonians about the Day of the Lord coming "as a thief in the night." She shares powerful insights on living in constant preparation for Jesus's unexpected arrival.

• Drawing parallels between emergency preparedness and spiritual readiness
• Examining how Christ will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night
• Exploring the two outcomes of Christ's return: judgment for unbelievers and deliverance for believers
• Debunking historical attempts to predict the exact date of Christ's return
• Unpacking the parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins
• Warning about looking spiritually ready versus truly being ready
• Emphasizing the need for daily readiness through prayer and God's Word
• Highlighting our responsibility to help others prepare for Christ's return

If you'd like to contact Sister Deb, you can email her at OsborneDebraK@gmail.com. Support the show through PayPal/HOR421 or visit our website at hor421show.buzzsprout.com.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Bible Talk
• 3:17 Being Prepared for Christ's Return
• 8:53 The Day of the Lord's Unexpected Coming
• 13:09 Parable of the Five Wise Virgins
• 18:24 Living Ready Every Day
• 22:33 Closing Prayer and Contact Information

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:15

So many mountains that we try to climb so many places where we fall behind. Deep in the struggle just to find our way, we lose the heart, we lose the faith. Sometimes this life can tear your world apart. Hey, you're listening to Bible Talk with Sister Deb Osborne. You can listen to Bible Talk on WAUIC 88.1 Christian radio station every Sunday at 5 pm. You can also listen to Bible Talk and much more on the 421 podcast streaming on Apple, spotify, whatever platform of your choosing. If you'd like to contact Sister Deb, you can email her at OsborneDebraK at gmailcom. If you'd like to support the show, you can support it through PayPal slash HOR421, or you go through our website, hor421showbuzzsproutcom. Now we give you your host, sister Deb.

Speaker 2: 1:17

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord. Hello everybody, welcome to Bible Talk Today. On Bible Talk, I want to talk to you about being prepared, being ready for the coming of Jesus Christ. You know, the Bible tells us and the Bible speaks about things that's going on around us and it's happening every day around us. And, and it's happening every day, and it's like, you know, time was not, it was not then, uh, back in Jesus's day, so you can imagine, uh, you know, you can imagine now. So there's many, you know many things in our life requires us to be ready. I mean, you have to be ready to go to church, be ready to go to school, be ready for this and even so, especially it's true in our spiritual lives, we have to be ready for things Now.

Speaker 2: 2:17

I used to be many years ago. I was a volunteer instructor for the Department of Homeland Security and the Emergency Management Agency in southwest Indiana and western Kentucky. I did this for about 12 years and we went into neighborhood associations and groups and schools and churches and we taught classes to people on how to be prepared and ready for tornadoes, earthquakes. We were teaching people to have little to-go bags, and even to-go bags for your dogs, and medicine. We were preparing people for the future, right, and I very thoroughly enjoyed doing that. And that makes me just think when I sit back and I think about being prepared for stuff. But are we prepared for our future and the coming of Jesus Christ? And that's what the scripture today that I'm talking about is going to talk about planning and being ready. And it's going to ask us maybe not in those words, but it's going to make us ask ourselves are we prepared? You know, have we prepared and planned for Christ's return? Are we ready?

Speaker 2: 3:30

Now, if we look in 1 Thessalonians 5, and I'm not going to go through the whole thing, I'll just touch and go on some of it but Apostle Paul was finishing up his letter to the church in Thessalonia and in verse 2, paul says for yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. And that is the really, really verse that I really want to talk about. Friends there. The day of the Lord, that's what he called it and that's what I'm going to call it. Okay that there is so many things that's going to happen between now and the day of the Lord, but I'm telling you there's two things that's going to happen on that day. Two things, major things on Christ's return, and when he returns, he's going to return as a judge. He's going to come, and some people he's going to sit in judgment and for some people it's going to be a moment of judgment. You know they will face Christ and they're going to be judged for their sins, okay. And for others, it's going to be a moment of deliverance. It's going to be a moment of deliverance for the people that has given their lives to Jesus Christ, that has fought the battle and that has waited and waited on his return. It's going to be a day of deliverance. You're going to see tears of joy on a Christian's face. You're going to see people cry with tears of joy because he's here, this long-awaited event that everybody has tried to prepare for. And then you're going to see the sinners cry because they didn't get prepared. So it's going to be a day of judgment and a day of deliverance. Are you ready? And you know, I just want you to really think about that.

Speaker 2: 5:23

When we look in the letter, paul uses two metaphors, okay, and he uses to help us understand the day of the Lord, right? So he uses these metaphors, which are like. I think it's like examples. So he uses that of a thief and then, of course, of labor pains, but he uses that of a thief like they typically. Of course, we know come in a moment when it's unexpected. You know, we don't know when we're going to leave our house and come back and somebody's broke in. Thief's been there Unexpected and that's exactly how Christ's return is going to be. You know that's exactly how it's going to be. He's going to come suddenly and unexpectedly and, as some planners there's a lot of people out there that like to plan and that like to be ready and, as planners, some people they want to know when, the exact time and the moment and time that he's going to appear. But see, we also know down history. There's been people throughout history who have even proclaimed to know the date and time of Christ's return. And in spite of Paul's words, which said, paul said, and right there in Thessalonians I don't need to write to you about days or times and then, despite Jesus's words, who said no one will know the hour of the day, because, over and over and over, people have always still, even after these two people right here, said things. They still want to predict the Lord's coming, when he's going to come is date and time.

Speaker 2: 7:09

Now, as early as the second century, a priest, there was a priest who actually thought and said and Raj was trying to teach that Christ was going to return in the year 500 AD. Wrong, 500 AD, wrong. It was also predicted over and over again, you know, by non-Christian acts, sects or acts or groups or however you want to say it, but they predicted. It was predicted in 1914. Christ was going to come, no, 1918. Wrong, 1925. Not 1975. Not 1975. No.

Speaker 2: 7:48

And even in the evangelical world, a man named Edgar Winesat wrote a book called 88 Reasons Christ Will Return in 1988. Well, as we can see, that was wrong, you know, I mean, and most recently, it was predicted that Christ would return in May 21, 2011. Well, wrong again. And I mean people actually think they can I don't know if they're looking at the signs of the times or I don't know where they're getting their predictions at but see, people want a day or an hour, but Christ says that's not the way it works, because he is going to come and he will come like a thief in the night and he will come sudden and unexpected. And his second metaphor he uses was labor pains when a woman is pregnant. Now, I've never experienced labor pains, but I'm hearing that her signs of labor come on so suddenly. She can't plan on it, she can't figure out, she doesn't know when it's going to happen and it just starts and it comes up out of the blue. And that's exactly how the second coming of Christ is going to be.

Speaker 2: 8:57

And people, after all this stuff that I'm saying, I hope this makes you say, wow, am I ready? And I'm telling you, the only truly way, surefire way to be ready for the Lord is to be ready every single day, every hour, every minute of every day. You know the only way and people trust me, the only way to do that is to give our lives to Christ and believe. Because, trust me, friends, when Christ returns on the day of the Lord, the only people who are going to experience peace and safety and, above all, salvation, will be those who have given their lives to Jesus Christ. It's going to be those who have believed that Jesus Christ took on flesh, that he lived a perfect life, that he died on the cross to cover all of our sins and that he rose from the grave on the third day, friends, salvation comes through Christ alone and by putting our faith in Him we are forgiven and have salvation, and we will be ready for this day of the Lord. And that's what Paul is trying to tell us here. He said but you, brethren, you're not in the darkness that the day should overcome you as a thief. You know, friends, I want to tell you that it is possible Now check this out. It is possible to look ready and not be ready. You can look the part, you can carry the torch, you can talk a good talk and you can blend in, you can be religious as you can possibly be, you can attend church and you can even know Jesus Christ. But, friends, I'm telling you, if he doesn't know you, then you've got a big problem. And you know, if you, I was reading you if he doesn't know you, then you've got a big problem. And you know I was reading.

Speaker 2: 10:56

Also, you look in Matthew 25, 1 through 13,. He talks about the five foolish and the five wise virgins. You know, the foolish ones, of course, take their lamps, but they didn't take any oil with them. They filled their lamps up. They didn't take any oil with them. They filled their lamps up. They didn't take any extra oil. Now, the wise ones, they took jars of oil with them and just go back and read that. I think you'll really enjoy that.

Speaker 2: 11:22

And when the bridegroom you know they were waiting on the bridegroom to come at midnight and at midnight all of them woke up and they trimmed their lamps. And you know what the? And they trimmed their lamps. And you know what? The foolish ones' lamps were going out and they wanted the wise, five wise virgins to can you share your oil with us so that we can go in with the bridegroom in the bride chamber? You know what they said nope, go get your own oil, go to the place that sells it and get your own oil. And you know what, while they were going to get their oil, the bridegroom arrived. And you know what, while they were going to get their oil, the bridegroom arrived and the five wise virgins were ready and they went into the wedding banquet and the door was shut. You know, people, when the foolish virgins came back, you know what they said Lord, lord, open the door. The Lord replied I don't know you. So, people, that's why we have to keep watch, because you don't know the day or the hour that the Lord's coming? You don't know. And you know this parable now has a really tragic ending. These five virgins they lost Because people, once the door is shut, the opportunity was missed.

Speaker 2: 12:35

They didn't think far ahead enough to take their oil. They missed out. And you know they can stand at the door and cry all the time what? You don't know us, lord. We thought, lord, that we were on the guest list. You know we have our lamps and you know, like the rest of the bridal party, we got our lamps here and you know, look, lord, we, we, lord, we are, we are. We've got our dresses, we've got our bouquets. You know we look the part. Let us in, lord. We look like we fit in, we look like we belonged. But you know people, they're going to say what do you mean, lord? You don't know us.

Speaker 2: 13:26

And this parable teaches us a sobering reality that it is possible to look ready and not be ready to meet Jesus Christ. You know it's possible. And, friends, there will come a moment when the door is going to be closed, when the opportunity to live for God is gone, when the trumpet will sound, when the opportunity to get your oil has passed People, if you don't keep your torch lit. If you go after the things of the world instead of the spiritual things that add the oil to your torch, your torch will burn out. And don't be like the five foolish virgins and leave your oil at home. You know, if you don't add oil to your torch or your lamp, if you do things that are the world, that that puts the spirit's fire out, you're. You know, you're going to be in danger of not being known by God. He're going to be in danger of not being known by God. He's going to say I never knew you, I don't know you when the trumpet sounds and you're not ready, you haven't got that oil in your lamps. He's going to say I don't know you.

Speaker 2: 14:29

And friends, I just want to ask you today, as we anticipate the return of Jesus Christ, we need to be ready and we need to make sure we have oil in our lamps. And I know I'm just all over the place with these virgins and the oils and I know I'm skipping things, but it's just things that I feel that the Lord needs me to say we need to be ready and make sure that we have oil in our lamps. We need to stay in prayer and we need to stay in his word. That word is our road map. That word will teach us and show us how to keep the oil in our lamps. You know, because Jesus has prepared his church for his return and he told us.

Speaker 2: 15:09

He told us he was going to go away and he told us how to follow him. He told us that he was going to prepare a place and people. One of these days he's going to tell his son. You know what? The mansions are repaired, the mansions are prepared, the mansions are ready. Go and get your bride and he's going to come. You know, he gave us a vision of heaven. He told us he would return in a cloud of glory, just like he ascended, and people. He gave us all the information that we need to live ready. He gave us all the incentive that we need to help others live ready.

Speaker 2: 15:48

We have been called to be His disciples. We have been called to be His witnesses. We have been called to be his witnesses and we need to get about the Father's business. It's kingdom work and this is serious. Eternity depends on it, your eternity depends on it, and we need to take this serious, because I'm telling you once the door is shut, just like on these five virgins. It won't be open again. Please, people, I'm begging you, please live ready.

Speaker 2: 16:20

Live like today or tonight could be the day that he comes, because it really could be. I mean, we could walk out of here the next hour. He could split the skies open. He came once, just like he promised. He came again. He is coming again, just like he promised. He is coming back, just like he said. He would Make no doubt about it. He's a promise keeper. History proves that he's a promise keeper and he made a lot of them and he kept every single one of them, and the one to come back is yet to fulfill, and you better believe he will keep it. Why would he break it now? He will keep his promise. He is coming back.

Speaker 2: 17:03

And Matthew 24, 42 tells us Watch, therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doeth come. Revelations 22 and 20 says he, which testifies these things, saith Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, lord Jesus. That's the last prayer in the Bible. People, we need to be ready. He said I come quickly. You know we need to be ready every day. You know we need to be ready every day, constantly ready. We need to live each day as if the next second could be the last. James 5 and 8 says Be ye also patient, establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh, over and over and over. In these scriptures he's told us.

Speaker 2: 17:52

And, people, I'm telling you, salvation comes through faith in him and we should live a life of faith and obedience. But we need to remain watchful and alert and, above all, above all, we need to share this message of Christ with others. We need to help our brothers, our sisters, our young people in Christ I mean well, for old people in Christ, for that matter. We need to help them be prepared as well. Now, if you're not a child of God, then, people, today is the day to become one. Today is the day of salvation. Today is the day that you can walk away from this crazy world, give your life to the Lord and work and be ready If you do serve the Lord, okay, that's awesome and continue walking in the light.

Speaker 2: 18:41

Because, people, we may fail to do good deeds. We may fail to share with others to do good whatever possible. People, we may fail to go out and share and help other people. We may fail at stuff in our lifetimes, but I'm telling you we will not fail to meet the Lord someday and we need to make sure that we're ready. We need to make sure we're ready Because, friends, when he comes, he's going to take us all home with him and we're going to be there forever. There's going to be no more tears, no more sickness, no more death, no more pain and suffering, and what a day that's going to be. You just need to be ready.

Speaker 2: 19:30

Ask yourself, after reading through this, read through the whole Word of God. There are so many places in there that tells you about being ready. Because I'm telling you, the only surefire way and I say it again to make sure that you are ready is to be ready every single day, every day. And you know what? Just going to church, that's not all there is to it. There's a lot more to it. Anybody can go sit in a church house, but you need to worship, you need to talk to the Lord. Give Him all your problems, give Him all your troubles. He'll take all of it away. Just obey Him. People are telling you time is winding up. Of it away and disobey him. People are telling you time is winding up and we don't have that long. We don't have that long to get ready.

Speaker 2: 20:15

I was at a wake not too long ago or a funeral, and a person left that funeral and the pastor that preached the funeral talked about getting yourself ready with the Lord. He preached to the sinners that day. So I know this person heard the sinner preaching that day. She sat right there and then she left that funeral home. She drove up the road and I don't know what happened, but she drove into some trees and she didn't make it. She didn't make it home. She didn't know that that was going to happen.

Speaker 2: 20:55

Because we don't know. We don't know where we're going to walk to from day one. We don't know what's going to happen. We don't know what's in front of us, but we do know I do know this Jesus Christ is coming again someday and he's going to come with a shout and people. We need to be ready because we're not going to know. Nobody knows. We need to be ready. I cannot stress it enough that we need to be ready. That's all I got on this. I know this is probably a short one, but I hope this has blessed you as much as it's blessed me to bring it to you. I hope that these words has went somewhere. I hope there's someone out there that has heard what I was saying about being ready, about just giving your life to the Lord, and you know I'm going to end this with a prayer, but I do want to say thank you very much for listening and please join me again next week for Bible Talk. God bless everybody.

Speaker 2: 22:06

Father, god, we thank you for all these people that will be listening to this.

Speaker 2: 22:11

We thank you, lord, for each and every blessing that you bestowed upon us.

Speaker 2: 22:15

We ask you to help us, lord. Help us to be ready. Help us, god, to give all of our troubles to you and help us to go and do the kingdom work that we need to do and to try to get others. Help us to share the good news, to get others to be ready to meet you. Help us, god, help us to do the work. Help us to serve you daily. Help us to get out into the world and spread the gospel, and spread the good news and spread the word and to encourage others to be ready. Please let these words go, lord, to the hearts and the ears that it needs to go to. Let the ears that hear, let them open up their hearts and their minds and realize and see what they need to do, just lead them and guide them. We thank you for everything, lord. We praise you, we honor you, we love you. We ask you to forgive us for all of our sins and bless each and everybody in Jesus, holy sweet name. We pray.

Speaker 1: 23:13

Amen and amen hey, you've been listening to Bible Talk. But keep believing in the Lord and His love will be enough. Hey, you've been listening to Bible Talk with Sister Deb. If you'd like to contact Sister Deb you can email her at osborne-debra-kay at gmailcom. That's O-S-B-O-R-N-E-D-E-B-R-A-K at gmailcom, recorded at the 421 studio. For contact information for all of your studio needs. You can email at hor421ministries at gmailcom. Phone numbers 239-849-1502. If you'd like to support the show, you can support it through paypal slash hor421 or you go to our website at hor421showbuzzsproutcom. I guess we, I guess we, I guess we are not strong.