Preparing for the Second Coming of Christ

In Mark chapter 13 we can read the words Christ spoke concerning the time when He would come to the earth again. More importantly we are able to hear His words of guidance concerning how it is we can be prepared for that time. The following are some of the things we are being told, and their corresponding verses, in terms of being prepared for the Second Coming.

          - Take heed of deceiving by man. (5)

          - Take heed of yourself, bear testimony of Christ. (9)

          - Take heed of all things told by God. (23)
          - Take heed, watch and pray for you don’t know the time of Christ’s coming. (33)
          - Watch for the signs of Christ for you don’t know when He comes again. (35)
          - Watch as Christ has told all. (37)
In this chapter we can learn that we need to be following Christ. We need to pray, watch ourselves, and watch the world around us. Man will become more cunning and deceiving and we need to stay close to the Lord in order to be able to discern the right and wrong. We will also be required, at times, to stand up for our beliefs. We may be persecuted and it may not be easy but we should bear testimony of Christ. It seems clear that we need to look to Christ, heed His words, and bear testimony of Him.

Other books hold some truths concerning the Second Coming as well. The following are a sampling of other references that can be found. (Emphasis added)

Doctrine & Covenants 87:8
Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.

Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:32
And again shall the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, be fulfilled.

Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:37
And whoso treasureth up my word, shall not be deceived, for the Son of Man shall come, and he shall send his angels before him with the great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together the remainder of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Joseph Smith - Matthew 1:46-50
And what I say unto one, I say unto all men; watch, therefore, for you know not at what hour your Lord doth come.
But know this, if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to have been broken up, but would have been ready.
Therefore be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.
Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
Blessed is that servant whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing; and verily I say unto you, he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Doctrine & Covenants 33:17
Wherefore, be faithful, praying always, having your lamps trimmed and burning, and oil with you, that you may be ready at the coming of the Bridegroom -

Doctrine & Covenants 45:56-57
And at that day, when I shall come in my glory, shall the parable be fulfilled which I spake concerning the ten virgins.
For they that are wise and have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived - verily I say unto you, they shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire, but shall abide the day.

The theme of all these scriptures seems pretty simple. To be prepared for the Second Coming of Christ we need to be studying the scriptures, praying, repenting, and living all the commandments that have been set forth for us. It is just as we live a righteous life that we will be able to stand with Christ when He comes again. If we have worked hard at following the Lord we will be prepared to meet Him, no matter when it is that time comes. I believe these things to be true. I know we have the promise of the Lord that if we live righteously we will be with Him again someday.

(Here is a link to one of my favorite songs about the coming of Christ)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DLCjE2u-qI

The Widow's Mite

In Mark 12 we hear of the widow’s mite. Jesus saw that the rich people were casting much money into the treasury. They had a lot and were giving a lot. Then He saw the poor widow, who threw in very little money. Her contribution amounted to the lowest value of coin at the time. After witnessing this Christ called His disciples to Him. In verses 43 and 44 we read what He says.
      “. . . Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they
     which have cast into the treasury:
     For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she
     had, even all her living.”
This widow shows to be a great example of loving God with all she has. She was willing to sacrifice all she had to show her love and devotion to God.

We see that the rich people were willing to give much but was it a sacrifice for them and a way they showed God their love for Him? I believe the words of Christ tell us that they weren’t giving as much as this widow gave. It is interesting to see that she gave such little, and they gave so much, yet her offering was so much more. It is apparent that Christ favors those who are willing to make sacrifices to follow Him. In 2 Nephi 25:23 we read,
     “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to
     believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God: for we know that it is by grace that we
     are saved after all we can do.”
It is as we make sacrifices, and put forth our best effort in being disciples of Christ, that we are able to be blessed by the grace of the Savior. Our efforts and the amount we do doesn’t count for much if our heart isn’t in it, turned to God, and we aren’t giving up something to become more like the Savior.

How is it then that we can follow the example of the widow’s example of sacrifice and obedience? Of course we can give of our physical riches. We can be generous in our tithes and offerings. There is more we can do though. One of the greatest things we can give is our time. We can sacrifice time doing leisurely things and give that time to scripture study, prayer, magnifying callings, missionary work, and service. Anytime spent serving the Lord, is time well spent. We have been commanded and encouraged to spend our time wisely, and work to be true followers of Jesus Christ. I don’t believe there is any greater sign of love for God then giving of our time and keeping His commandments. I believe as we do these things we will find favor with God and He will see us as He sees the widow, who so humbly gave all she had to Him.