“To make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17 NKJ).
Even though these two phrases, “make ready” and “prepared”, are seemingly synonymous, they have opposite meanings in the original Greek. The word translated “make ready” is used to describe thorough preparation by an internal fitness.
The word rendered “prepared” refers to external equipment and adjustment. One describes a work of grace going on outside of the Christian Church, the other a work of grace going on within the Church.
“Make ready” in this verse covers the whole range of internal qualifications necessary to meet the Lord Jesus at His return. The Holy Spirit is working inside each believer in the areas of honesty, integrity, humility, holiness, obedience, attitude, and motive.
An invisible work of grace is going on in God’s people helping them to overcome resentment, bitterness, hurts, wounds, unforgiveness, and general unbelief.
“Prepared” is a description of the external work of grace, including the Church’s coming into unity. Revival fires burning, true worshippers showing forth the praises of God, Christians standing shoulder to shoulder against the common enemy, and rallying around to help in international disasters: these are externals that are visible to the unbelieving world.
In this prophetic note, the Lord declares that an internal work is going on that will cause the Church to be externally prepared for His Second Coming. God is at work externally in the world at large, getting His Church ready. The Bride of Christ is becoming more beautiful every single day!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.