Jesus is coming, but He hasn't come yet because we are not ready. He is long-suffering and He is patient toward as He waits for us to be ready, desiring that not any should perish.

—2 Peter 3:9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up. AMPC

Jesus has delayed His return because He is waiting for us to be ready—yet many think they are ready. Why is it that many think they're ready, but Jesus said we are not? Primarily, it is because they do not go to the Word of God as their source of information. Therefore, they do not know what is true. We have to know what Jesus said to know the truth. That said, let's look at what Jesus said about how to be ready.

—Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming. 43 But understand this: had the householder known in what [part of the night, whether in a night or a morning] watch the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have allowed his house to be undermined and broken into. 44 You also must be ready therefore, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not expect Him. AMPC

Jesus said to watch for Him, to be cautious, to give strict attention to watching for Him so that we will be ready. Let’s look at what He said that meant.

—Matthew 24:45 Who then is the faithful, thoughtful, and wise servant, whom his master has put in charge of his household to give to the others the food and supplies at the proper time? 46 Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is that servant whom, when his master comes, he will find so doing. AMPC

Obviously then to watch means we are to be active in doing what Jesus said to do. Because many don’t know what Jesus said of course, that is where they miss it. Instead of being busy with learning the Kingdom ways, they are sitting around waiting for Jesus, ignorantly not knowing they are not participating in watching for Him.

Jesus plainly said if we believed we would do what He was doing because He was going to the Father.  

—John 14:12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.

Jesus said if you believe you will be able to do what He was doing and even greater than He did. Therefore we have to read the Word and do what Jesus said and do what He did. Just as He said —He only said and did what the Father told Him to say and do, that is what we must do. We have to learn His way of living, living in heaven on the earth just as Jesus did when He was here.

Is that possible you might ask? Jesus said if you believe you will be able. Therefore yes, if you believe you will be able to do what He did and say what He said, living His way on the earth as representing Him.  

When you separate from the world and get involved in preparing the way for Jesus, it is a much more exciting life than the life one clings to here that is temporary. Preparing the way for Jesus is doing that greater thing as He did.

If you don’t heed His warning and be that servant He is calling you to be, that day when you stand before Him, you will hear yourself say  —but Lord, I did this in Your name and that. Only to hear Him say, yes but you didn't do what I asked you to do. You didn’t care for others, you didn’t forgive, you didn’t represent Me. You didn’t go for Me. You didn't change your lifestyle, you didn't separate from sin. You didn’t take that authority I gave you and live well and prosper. You didn’t do for the least of men—you didn’t serve.

—Matthew 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? 23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. AMPC

Jesus said to watch so that we are ready. But instead, many are distracted and are acting as the world acts, as if Jesus is not coming and there is nothing to do. 

The earth is going to melt. Think of it, plan for it.

—2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will vanish (pass away) with a thunderous crash, and the [material] elements [of the universe] will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up. AMPC

Oblivious to what is about to happen, many, just like in the day of Noah, have no idea what is to come. That’s why Jesus is sending you and me. If we profess to be a follower of Jesus, we are responsible for warning them. Just like Noah built that ark to warn others, you and I need to be building an ark to warn those who don’t know. We need to tell them God is going to start over again and it is urgent that they get ready! 

Jesus is expecting us to work —to tell them, not ignore them as many do—thinking they only have to be concerned with self. With that, you may not be that one taken, but that one that is left! 

—Matthew 24:41 Two women will be grinding at the hand mill; one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming. AMPC

Ask yourself, what has Jesus asked you to do that you are not doing? What’s your personal assignment? Know that if you are not doing what He asked you to do, you will perish. There are no excuses, therefore don’t allow anything to stand in the way of your directive.

The enemy will try and distract you with sickness, disease, poverty—one thing after another, but Jesus warned you (Mark 4:13-19) it’s a distraction. It's a trick, don't fall for it but press through and be that overcomer you were called to be! Be ready! 

Just like the enemy tricked Adam and Eve, his ploy is to trick you —because he knows, surely you will die! He is God’s enemy and your enemy and He is trying to steal God from you—and you from God. How does he do that? He does that by deceiving you into thinking things like —you’re ready, you don’t have to do anything, Jesus isn’t really coming.

If Jesus lives inside of you, what more do you need to be that conquer? If Jesus lives inside of you, you have the mind of Christ and you know what to do. His power granted to you makes it possible for you to overcome and be ready!  

—Revelation 3:5 Thus shall he who conquers (is victorious) be clad in white garments, and I will not erase or blot out his name from the Book of Life; I will acknowledge him [as Mine] and I will confess his name openly before My Father and before His angels. AMPC

All your answers are in the Book, be sure to look at it so you will be ready.

If you never asked Jesus to come live on the inside of you, hurry do it now. There is not much time left. All you have to do is answer that knock at the door of your heart, and then heed His voice. Jesus will be there for you all the time, and He will help you to prepare for eternity with Him!

—Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. AMPC