SDA Sabbath School Lessons
Thursday September 26, 1996


Are You Ready for Jesus to Come?
(Rev. 14:1,5)

This is the most important question. Let us briefly remind ourselves why it is so vital.

What essential qualification for heaven does God provide believers in the last days?

The book of Revelation teaches that we are living in the sealing time, during which the Lord wishes to place His last-day seal upon those who are receiving His character by the Holy Spirit and keeping the seventh-day Sabbath. If we wish to be among the righteous living when Jesus comes, we must receive His divine seal. This is the sign that, because His character has been given to us, we have victory over sin and are loyal to all His commandments. (See Rev. 12:17.)

What kind of victory must last-day believers receive? Rev. 15:2. How only can we have this victory?

If they seek Him, God will give His last-day people victory over the beast, its image, and its mark (Rev. 15:2). We will not be deceived by false religious movements. By faith in Jesus and conformity to His Word, we will be able to discern error when we see it and hear it. By watching unto prayer and earnest Bible study, we will always be in a state of readiness to meet our Lord.

How important is worship with fellow believers as we come near to the end? Heb. 10:25.

A very important part of getting ready to meet Jesus is fellowship with other Christians who believe as we do. The Bible urges that we meet together for worship and sharing. We are to support one another's faith, to encourage' one another, and bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2). Jesus wants His followers to be loving, caring people. Their love for other believers, as well as for those who do not believe, is to demonstrate the value of their faith. When we are bound together in the love of Christ, then we are ready for heaven (John 17:21-23).

Are you making ready to meet the Lord? Jesus gently pleads that you open your heart's door and let Him rule in your life (Rev. 3:20).