As Certain as Death & Taxes

Read Revelation 15:1–16:21

12. Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great Euphrates River, and it dried up so that the kings from the east could march their armies toward the west without hindrance.
13. And I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs leap from the mouths of the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet.
14. They are demonic spirits who work miracles and go out to all the rulers of the world to gather them for battle against the Lord on that great judgment day of God the Almighty.
15. “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”
16. And the demonic spirits gathered all the rulers and their armies to a place with the Hebrew name Armageddon. Revelation 16:12-16

Nothing seems more certain than death and taxes. Everyone knows that he or she will die someday. It is a given, a nasty fact of life, although not everyone will admit or think about that for too long. Another fact every adult U.S. citizen knows is that on April 15, they have to have their income-tax forms completed and in the mail. Despite the fact that they have had significant sums of money taken from each of their paychecks throughout the year, they may owe more. So they have to pay up.

One thing is more certain than death and taxes—Christ’s return. In this reading John tells his readers to be prepared today for Christ’s second coming because preparing tomorrow may be too late. For those who heed John’s warning, there is a wonderful blessing. As you read, consider what you must do to be prepared.

Christ will return “as unexpectedly as a thief!” (Revelation 16:15; see 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6). His return will take everyone completely by surprise, and it will mark the beginning of the final judgment (Revelation 16:1-21). There will be no more opportunities to turn to God.

The certainty of tomorrow’s sunrise falls somewhat shy of 100 percent. When God’s plan calls for it, tomorrow will not come—Christ will. Many people will have planned to get their act together that day, to stop their indulgences and start living prudently on that day, to do what they knew they ought to have done before that day. Their one more chance will not materialize. Christ will have returned to judge the earth, and only those who awaited his return—only those who already submitted their lives to him—will be prepared.

Be ready when Christ returns. If you have not accepted him as your Savior and Lord, today may be your last opportunity to respond to the invitation he has been holding out for two thousand years.