’Twas the night before Jesus came, and all through the place,
Not a creature was praying, not one on their face.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care,
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
Not one ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap,
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.
When out of the East there arose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray,
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!
The light of His face made me cover my head;
It was Jesus returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.
In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said, “It’s not here,” my head hung in shame.
The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound,
While all the rest were left standing around.
I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.
In the words of this poem the meaning is clear:
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There’s only one life, and when comes the last call,
We’ll find that the Bible was true after all.
Why This Poem Matters — But Scripture Matters More
- The poem is not Scripture
- But the warning it gives is biblical
- Everything we say next must be tested against the Word
Set the authority clearly:
Matthew 24:35 says heaven and earth will pass away, but His words will not.
I. Jesus Is Coming Again — This Is a Promise, Not Poetry
Key Scriptures:
- John 14:2–3 — Jesus promises He will come again and receive His people
- Acts 1:10–11 — The angels say He will return the same way He ascended
- Revelation 22:12 — “Behold, I am coming soon…”
Emphasis:
- The return of Christ is stated, repeated, and affirmed across Scripture
- Denying or minimizing it is not a secondary issue—it’s rejecting Jesus’ own words
II. No One Knows the Day or Hour — And God Said That On Purpose
Key Scriptures:
- Matthew 24:36 — No one knows the day or hour
- Matthew 24:42 — “Therefore, stay awake…”
- Mark 13:32–33 — Be on guard, keep awake
Clarification:
- Jesus didn’t say this to create fear
- He said it to prevent delay
- Watchfulness is not speculation—it is obedience
Key line:
God removed the calendar so faith wouldn’t be procrastinated.
III. Readiness Is Not Assumed — Many Will Be Shocked
Key Scriptures:
- Matthew 7:21–23 — Not everyone who says “Lord, Lord”
- Luke 13:24–27 — People who assumed the door would open
- Matthew 25:1–13 — The parable of the ten virgins
Critical truth:
- Familiarity with religion does not equal readiness
- Delay is the danger Jesus repeatedly warned about
IV. You Do Not Become Ready at the Moment — You Are Found Ready or Not
Key Scriptures:
- Matthew 24:44 — “You also must be ready…”
- Ecclesiastes 12:1 — Remember your Creator before the hard days come
- Hebrews 3:15 — “Today, if you hear His voice…”
Emphasis:
- Scripture never presents last-second faith as a strategy
- Readiness is a posture of life, not a crisis decision
V. Watching the Signs Without Watching Your Life Misses the Warning
Key Scriptures:
- Matthew 24:6–8 — Signs exist, but they are not the focus
- Luke 21:34 — Be careful your hearts are not weighed down
- 2 Peter 3:10–11 — Since everything will be destroyed, how should we live?
Clear correction:
- Jesus emphasized character, faithfulness, and obedience
- Not constant end-times decoding
VI. Readiness Is Personal Accountability Before God
Key Scriptures:
- Romans 14:12 — Each will give an account of himself to God
- 2 Corinthians 5:10 — We must all appear before Christ
- Hebrews 9:27 — It is appointed for man to die once, then judgment
Emphasis:
- No one stands before God in a group
- Church attendance does not transfer readiness
- Family faith does not cover personal obedience
VII. Those We Love Are Included in This Warning
Key Scriptures:
- Romans 10:14–15 — How will they hear without someone telling them?
- Ezekiel 33:7–9 — Watchman accountability
- Jude 1:23 — Snatching others from the fire
Key truth:
Silence is not love when eternity is at stake.
VIII. What It Actually Means to Be Ready (Biblical Definition)
Key Scriptures:
- Luke 9:23 — Deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Me
- John 14:15 — If you love Me, you will keep My commandments
- 1 John 2:3–4 — Knowing Him is proven by obedience
Clarification:
- Readiness is not sinlessness
- It is repentance, surrender, and obedience
- Not perfection—but submission
Closing Call — Not Fear, But Truth
Key Scriptures:
- 2 Corinthians 13:5 — Examine yourselves
- Amos 4:12 — “Prepare to meet your God”
- Revelation 22:17 — The invitation is still open
Final emphasis:
We don’t prepare because we know the day.
We prepare because we know the Judge—and the Savior.