Over the past couple of years the Holy Spirit has been impressing on my heart this mandate: "Prepare the Church for the Second Coming of Yeshua (Jesus)." This impression has come particularly in the context of using international media to teach on the issues of Israel, the Church, and the End Times.

[By the "Church" here I do not refer to any Christian religious institution; but to the grass roots, international community of true born again, Spirit-filled believers. This group is referred to as the "Body of Messiah" and as the "Bride of Messiah."]

Revelation 19:7-8 – The marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.

Luke 1:17 – …go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah… to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Because Yeshua will come back to Jerusalem, there will be ever increasing spiritual conflict in the end times concerning Israel. So this mandate could also be phrased, "Prepare the Church to stand with Israel in the end times." Just as with Queen Esther, the Church will be tested to stand with the Jewish people against Jihad and anti-Semitism. She will "come to the kingdom for such a time as this (Esther 4:14)."

What spiritual qualities does the Church need to be ready for the Second Coming?

1. Purity - Since Yeshua is coming for a pure and spotless bride, the people of God must walk in holiness and hold uncompromisingly to the truth of the word of God.
2. Glory - As we experience intimacy with God through Yeshua the Messiah, His eternal glory and power will flow into us and through us more and more.
3. Spiritual Warfare - Since there will be great wars and tribulations leading up to the 2^nd Coming, the body of Messiah must be ready to do our part in prayer and prophecy, as well as practical measures, and be sealed with the protection of the Holy Spirit (Revelation 7:3).
4. Covenant - Biblical faith is not academic or philosophical alone. It is covenantal. Covenant is a two-way eternal divine contract between God and man that demands us to walk in integrity and loyalty.
5. Taking the Land - Yeshua is coming back to reclaim the earth and to throw the devil off the planet. As the people of Israel conquered the land of Israel in the time of Joshua, so will the international Church take possession of planet earth at the 2^nd Coming of Jesus.
6. Government - Those who rise in the first resurrection will rule and reign with Yeshua for a thousand years. Now is the time for us to be developing the character qualities of judgment, authority, discernment, and government so that we will be able to rule with Him.
7. Unified in love - As we love Him more, we will love all those whom He loves. Love leads us to reconciliation; reconciliation to relationship; relationship to cooperation; cooperation to world evangelism and revival.