How can we prepare for the "days of the Son of Man"? Setting the Context “Then He said to the disciples, ‘The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.’” (Luke 17:22) Jesus places before His followers a period of aching anticipation. They would crave—even ache—to witness His unveiled reign, yet for a while they would only taste the tension between promise and fulfillment. We live in that very tension now, and Scripture shows us how to get ready. Recognize the Nature of the Days • Unique, decisive, and global—“For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one end to the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day.” (Luke 17:24) • Unexpected for the unprepared—“Just as it was in the days of Noah… so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man.” (Luke 17:26) • Final separation of hearts—see Luke 17:34–35; Matthew 24:40–41. Understanding this backdrop keeps us from complacency and from chasing sensational distractions. Cultivate a Holy Longing • Set your hope fully on Christ’s return (1 Peter 1:13). • Let anticipation shape daily choices—“But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20) • Guard against cynicism; longing fuels perseverance. Stay Rooted in the Word • Daily read and meditate—Jesus rebuked those who “did not recognize the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:44). Scripture tunes our discernment. • Compare every teaching to the plain testimony of the Bible (Acts 17:11). • Memorize promises about His coming (John 14:1-3; Revelation 22:20). Practice Persistent Watchfulness • Jesus warns, “What I say to you, I say to everyone: Keep watch!” (Mark 13:37) • Evaluate habits: are they dulling spiritual alertness? • Integrate watchfulness into normal routines—prayerful awareness during work, study, recreation. Walk in Purity and Repentance • “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:3) • Regular self-examination—confess sin quickly (1 John 1:9). • Pursue holiness—“What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.” (2 Peter 3:11) Live as Witnesses • Urgency for the lost—“Knowing, therefore, the fear of the Lord, we persuade men.” (2 Corinthians 5:11) • Share the gospel clearly and lovingly (Romans 10:14-15). • Model kingdom values—service, generosity, integrity—so others glimpse the coming reign. Maintain Fellowship and Mutual Encouragement • “Let us not neglect meeting together… but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) • Gather for Word, worship, and mutual accountability. • Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Persevere in Hope • Trials refine readiness—“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22) • Fix eyes on the promised joy—“When Christ appears, you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4) • Encourage yourself with the certainty of His return: “For yet in a very little while, the One who is coming will come and will not delay.” (Hebrews 10:37) Continual longing, grounded in Scripture, expressed through holy living and loving witness—this is how we prepare for the days of the Son of Man. |
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