¹² “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. ¹³ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”  Revelation 22:12-13

      One of the things that helps keep true believers alert is the knowledge of the Lord’s return.  Jesus spoke on numerous occasions about the need for everyone to be ready and to be watching and waiting for His imminent return.  Two thousand years seems to be a long time to wait, but as each day passes we are one day closer. 

      With this in mind, would you be ready to meet the Lord today?  It is easy to “fake believe” that you and the Lord are close.  No one knows the actual truth, but Jesus knows!  The truth is you can be just as close to the Lord right now as any other point in the past, present or future.  We all determine each day how close we desire to be to the Lord and how relevant He is to our lives.  I am reminded of a story by Max Lucado that illustrates the point that one day we will all give account of our lives. 

      Many years ago a man conned his way into the orchestra of the emperor of China, although he could not play a note. Whenever the group practiced or performed, he would hold his flute against his lips, pretending to play but not making a sound. He received a modest salary and enjoyed a comfortable living.  Then one day the emperor requested a solo from each musician. The flutist got nervous. There wasn’t enough time to learn the instrument. He pretended to be sick, but the royal physician wasn’t fooled. On the day of his solo performance, the impostor took poison and killed himself. The explanation of his suicide led to a phrase that found its way into the English language: “He refused to face the music.”

      It is true, we all eventually “face the music.”  We may “fake the music” for a while, but the truth comes out in the end when we have to perform a solo.  Be ready for Jesus’ return now, so that whenever He appears, you are prepared.