Anytime an event occurs, a process of preparation takes place. A country can a prepare for the arrival of a king, queen or president. A mother and daughter can prepare for an upcoming wedding. A couple prepares for the arrival of their new baby. Each event has expectations, excitement, and preparations that must be made to make the day run smoothly.

The book of Luke also tells a story of a man who was preparing for a big event.  Luke 2:25-28 talks about Simeon. Nothing is special about this man that would make him stand out in the grand story of God except that He was expecting and in preparation to receive the Christ. He asked God,to let him stay alive until the promised redeemer to Israel would arrive.

Simeon was just a devoted man that walked close to God.  His name means “God hears”. He prayed daily and was very devout.  Because of his faith, he was watchful and ready at any time to meet the redeemer of Israel. Simeon was a man with patience and faith.  Even though he had plenty of times to doubt the promise, Simeon prepared himself at all costs
and his reward would be one day holding in his arms the blessed baby Jesus, the redeemer of Israel.

Another person was also waiting with Simeon. Her name was Anna and she was a prophetess. Both were diligently preparing for this event.  They were watchful. They knew that Christ would come as God had promised in the scripture. Christ would come as a baby and His kingdom would reign forever. However, Christ’s Kingdom would be challenged by the religious leaders of His days. Jesus knew that Israel would not receive Him. Nevertheless, Jesus believed in the promises of God and that His kingdom will be forever.

Like Simeon, we must be watchful of what Jesus said. Luke 21:36 in the amplified version of the bible says: Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.

It is imperative that we take this seriously. In the book of Acts, Jesus returned after His death and resurrection and appeared to more than 500 people.  He gave the promise to remain in Jerusalem until they were imbued with the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus empowered His disciples to be the eye-witnesses that He wanted them to be.  Acts 1:8:  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”  Jesus also empowers us to do the same thing.

Jesus also promised another upcoming event. He promised that he was going to return again. Luke 12:40:  You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

We need to be like Simeon and Anna. Both were so devoted to God that they were busy in the temple serving god and they were watchful. Simeon and Anna were expecting and preparing for the arrival of the birth of the King. As soon as they saw him, Simeon was ready to go home to Heaven.

What about you? Are you expecting and preparing for our King Jesus who is coming soon? Is your heart prepared to go home as soon as you see Him? Are you anxiously awaiting the rapture of Christ’s church?

In the meantime, be watchful and busy spreading the word about His kingdom. Be devoted in prayer just as Simeon was devoted to praying for the expectant redeemer. We have the privilege of having an example to learn from Simeon and Anna.  We should learn from them how to wait expectantly.

From this day forward, wait expectantly for your redeemer to make His appearance. Make the necessary preparations to ensure you are ready to go home.  We don’t have much time left.  The rapture of Christ’s church is coming soon.

For more on the rapture of the church and end-time prophecies, visit our End Time Series of Teachings.