In a world filled with the signs Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24—wars, rumors of wars, and a society where love seems to be growing cold—it’s clear that we are in a significant season. These aren’t just headlines; they are reminders of the “perilous times” that would be like the days of Noah, when warnings were present, but largely ignored. Yet, even as these events unfold, the ultimate message is not to be afraid. Instead, we are called to be alert, to watch, and to pray. As Matthew 24:42 (Amplified) instructs, we are to “be cautious and active in faith…for you don’t know which day…your Lord is coming.”
This brings us to a question that should echo in every heart: Will you be ready when Jesus comes? This isn’t just about the rapture, but about that personal, inevitable moment when your name is called home. As Hebrews 9:27 reminds us, “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”
A Tale of Two Preparations
The Bible tells the story of King Hezekiah who, while deathly ill, received a direct command from God through the prophet Isaiah: “Set your house in order, for you shall die, and not live” (2 Kings 20). Can you imagine receiving such a message? We often push the thought of our own mortality to the back of our minds, convinced it won’t be “anytime soon.” We put off crucial preparations for a “tomorrow” that is never guaranteed.
Pastor McNair explained that this command to “get your house in order” is twofold, encompassing both our spiritual and our natural lives. While both are important, one is of eternal consequence.
The Ultimate Priority: Your Spiritual House
If you were to hear this divine instruction today, what would be your first concern? The most important question is, and always will be, about the state of your soul.
- Are you saved? Do you have a genuine, personal relationship with God through His son, Jesus?
- Do you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that upon your death, you will enter heaven?
Being a “nice person” isn’t the ticket. Heaven, as John 14 tells us, is a prepared place for a prepared people—those who have been washed by the blood of Jesus. This spiritual preparation involves repentance, faith, and a life committed to following God’s will.
Time for a Spiritual Check-Up
Just as we visit a doctor for an annual physical, we must be diligent about conducting regular spiritual check-ups. The Apostle Paul urges us in 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Amplified): “Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith…Examine yourselves!” Are we simply going through the motions of faith, or is Jesus Christ truly living in us?
This requires a deep and honest look at our own hearts. It’s a call to echo the prayer of the Psalmist: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV). It’s a continuous process of asking God to create a clean heart within us.
Living a Life Set Apart
This spiritual readiness is demonstrated through sanctification—being set apart for God’s purposes. It is a daily dying to our own fleshly desires and refusing to be conformed to the patterns of this world. Are we compromising our beliefs? Are we allowing worldly influences to dictate our choices in what we do, what we say, and how we live?
Pastor McNair offered a stark reminder: “What is done in the dark will come out in the light!” God is in the business of exposing, and He is not to be trifled with. The transformation He calls us to is a real, ongoing process, like peeling away the layers of an onion, all guided by His Word. His Word has the power to heal, deliver, and set you free if you let it.
The Creative Force of Your Words
A crucial part of getting our spiritual house in order is understanding the power we wield with our tongues. Proverbs 18:21 declares, “The tongue has the power of life and death.”
What have you been speaking over your life? Are your words building up your faith, or are they tearing it down? We are created in God’s image as “speaking spirits.” Just as Adam had the authority to name the animals, we have the authority to declare God’s promises.
Let us begin to declare what His word says about us: “I am the head and not the tail,” “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” “I am healed,” “I am delivered,” “I am prosperous.”
The enemy also understands this principle. When we speak negative words like “I can’t do this,” “I’m sick,” or “I’m broke,” we give him an opening to bring those very things to pass. When King Hezekiah faced his death sentence, he didn’t complain or speak negatively. He turned to God in prayer, reminding Him of his faithful walk. Our power is found in our prayers and in speaking God’s Word.
A Prophetic Word for Today’s Church
To conclude her message, Pastor McNair delivered a prophetic word for the church in this hour:
- For those on the wall: Do not get weary in well-doing. Your labor is not in vain. Stay steadfast.
- For those who are unsure: This is not the time to go back and forth. Get rooted and grounded in Him.
- For the Body of Christ: Prepare for a harvest of people who are coming. Ask God to stir up the dormant gifts within you and get busy with whatever your hands find to do.
- For every believer: Make your election sure in the Lord. He is on his way back. This is not a time for playing or sleeping.
The call has been issued. The question remains for each of us to answer: Is your house in order? Don’t wait for tomorrow. Today is the day for a spiritual check-up.
