Are You Ready? 

by Paul Heil 

September 17, 2001

Our local newspaper had three words emblazoned across the entire
width of its front page in a bold black headline on Sunday morning:
"Bush: 'Get Ready.'"

It was referring, of course, to President Bush's call for Americans to
be ready for whatever happens in the near future as the nation strikes
out against the terrorists who last week committed the most heinous
series of coordinated acts of terrorism in American history.

But I think there is a much more urgent meaning here to the phrase,
"Get ready!"

First, let me say that I am constantly amazed at how God can take
such unspeakable evils as last week's and use them to bring glory to
Himself.

Have you seen the outpouring of prayer and spiritual concerns in the
mass media?  I don't remember anything quite like it - ever.  The
other morning we saw Katie Couric on NBC's "Today" show
interviewing Franklin Graham, who boldly and concisely outlined, not
once but twice, the plan of Salvation.  No one objected.  And no one
watching this national telecast could miss the plain truth of the Gospel.
Then the nation watched or listened transfixed as the national Day of
Prayer and Remembrance service was broadcast from the National
Cathedral in Washington on Friday, complete with another bold
sermon from Dr. Billy Graham, calling for spiritual revival.  What's
more, the national networks and local broadcasters across the land
have been interviewing a seemingly unending procession of
clergymen, seeking answers.

The Associated Press reported last week that Eddie Smith, a director
of the evangelical Christian U. S. Prayer Center in Houston, had
prayed earnestly for revival four years ago.  Smith said he felt God
spoke to him and promised that such a revival would come, but it
would be "served to you on a platter of ruin."  We have now seen the
devastating fires of ruin; are we now also seeing a rekindling of the
fires of revival?

On Sunday, churches in New York City and across the land reported
larger-than-normal attendance.  Some described attendance as
"Christmas-like."  People have had their spiritual awareness
heightened - a key prelude to revival.

Revival, though, begins on a very personal level.  As Dr. Billy
Graham pointedly reminded us all in his special Friday sermon, "This
event reminds us of the brevity and the uncertainty of life.  We never
know when we, too, will be called into eternity.  I doubt if even one
of those people who got on those planes or walked into the World
Trade Center or the Pentagon last Tuesday morning thought it would
be the last day of their lives.  It didn't occur to them.  And that's why
each of us needs to face our own spiritual need and commit ourselves
to God and His will now."

On the radio last week at a station in Louisville, Kentucky, R. Albert
Mohler, Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, was
asked by a caller if those who perished in last week's sudden disasters
would get a "second chance" to enter heaven.  "With the Bible as our
sole authority, the only hope we have in salvation is conscious faith
and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ," Mohler answered.  "There is no
Biblical back door that is offered about how persons may come to
God in faith except through Jesus Christ.  Romans 1 says that we are
all accountable, that there is no one who is going to be able to say
before the throne of God, 'I didn't know you, I didn't know of you
and I did not know I was a sinner,' because that's revealed to all of
us."

Death allows no "second chance" at salvation.  And no one knows
when death will strike.  Jesus told the parable of the rich man who
was doing so well he wanted to build bigger barns to hold his wealth.
There's no indication he was sick.  There's no indication he was
attacked by vandals.  But he died.  The Bible says God told him,
"Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose
shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"  (Luke 12:20.)  Do
you know someone - a friend or perhaps a relative - who died totally
unexpectedly?  Chances are you do.  It's not uncommon. Death
doesn't always announce itself in advance.

Aside from the total uncertainty of when death may strike, the time of
the Lord's promised return is likewise unknown.  But it clearly is
drawing near.  As Dr. Mohler told his radio audience, "We do know
this: Today is one day closer to when that will take place, and we need
to live in the expectation that it could happen at any moment."

Southern Gospel songs have always had a clear message concerning
the Lord's soon return.  But have you noticed how many of them
there have been recently?  One of the clearest is the Gold City song
with a very appropriate title: "Are You Ready?"  Look at these lyrics:

  The hour is approaching when the souls of man will hear
  A mighty shout resounding in the sky
  In power and great glory King Jesus will appear
  And take His children home to paradise
  It will be a celebration for the ones who chose His name
  But total separation for the ones who turned away.
  Are you ready for the trumpet?
  Are you ready for the call?
  Soon the angels will assemble to usher in the Son of God
  Will He come and find you faithful?
  Will He know your name at all?
  Every moment brings us closer
  Are you ready for the call?

Are YOU ready?  If today some unexpected tragedy were to strike
you down, would you be ready?  If today death overtakes you without
warning, are you ready?  If the Lord returned this very day, are you
ready?  Do you know Christ as your Savior and Lord?  Have you
surrendered your life to Him?  If not, do it today.  Right now!  No
one is too bad a sinner to qualify.  Christ's shed blood covers it all.
His forgiveness is freely offered.  But you must ask for it.

For those of us who have already done so, recent events are sparking
a burning urgency to be sure our families and our acquaintances are
likewise ready.  Let's help fan the flames of revival.  Who do you
know who isn't ready?  Tell them today Who the only One is Who
can bring certainty to an uncertain world.

"Therefore be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the
Son of man cometh."  (Matthew 24:44.)

(This article excerpted from the free weekly Gospel Greats e-mail newsletter. Paul Heil hosts the weekly Gospel Greats syndicated radio program on WXAN and KMHM.)  For airtimes on WXAN and KMHM, see the program schedules elsewhere on this website.  For The Gospel Greats, click their link on this website.)