The Hour Draws Near: How to Put on Christ and Prepare
“Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, your holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean. Shake yourself from the dust and arise. Be seated, o Jerusalem; loose the bonds from your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. ” – Isaiah 52: 1-2
” Besides this, you know the time, the hour has come for you to wake from your sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is gone, the day is at hand. So then, let us cast off works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and make no provisions for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” – Roman 13:11-14
In the early hours of a February morning in 2025, the urgency of spiritual awakening resonates more powerfully than ever. As we navigate a world drastically changed over the past five years, the words of Isaiah and Paul echo with renewed significance, calling us to “awake” and “put on strength.”
The Call to Awaken
“Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, your holy city”. This prophetic call from Isaiah 52:1-2 speaks directly to our current spiritual state. Many of us have become desensitized to the increasing chaos around us – wars, natural disasters, and economic turmoil. Yet, this scripture urges us to shake off our spiritual slumber and clothe ourselves with divine strength.
Putting on Christ
The Apostle Paul expands on this concept in Romans 13:11-14, exhorting believers to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ”. This isn’t merely a call for new converts; it’s a rallying cry for all believers to renew their commitment to Christ. To “put on Christ” means to:
- Clothe ourselves with His character
- Reflect His glory to the world
- Reject the works of darkness
- Embrace the armor of light
Practical Steps for Spiritual Readiness
- Daily Scripture Reading: Start your day with God’s Word to align your heart with His will.
- Prayer: Cultivate a consistent prayer life, seeking God’s guidance and strength.
- Community: Engage with fellow believers for encouragement and accountability. This means go to church, attend bible studies, go to the prayer meeting or join our community here.
- Service: Look for opportunities to share Christ’s love with others.
- Vigilance: Stay alert to the signs of the times, ready for Christ’s return.
A Wake-up Call for the Church
The Lord Jesus calls His church to be awake and faithful. This involves returning to our first love, as mentioned in Revelation 2:4. It’s about rekindling the passion and zeal we had when we first believed.
Be Ready
As we anticipate the return of our Bridegroom, let’s heed this call to spiritual awakening. Let’s clothe ourselves with Christ’s strength, ready to shine His light in an increasingly dark world. “The night is far gone; the day is at hand”. May we be found faithful, with our lamps full of oil, eagerly awaiting His return.
Maranatha – Come, Lord Jesus!
