When the Storm Comes: Are You Ready?

Across the United States today, people are preparing for what many are calling a historic winter storm. Shelves are emptying, pipes are being wrapped, wood is stacked, and generators are tested. Families are doing what they should do, preparing for a storm they know is coming. As I sat with Jesus this morning, a far more sobering question pressed on my heart:

What are we doing to prepare for the storm that no one escapes?

Not a winter storm or temporary crisis, but the storm of finality, the moment every human being will face when this life ends and eternity begins.

The Storm No One Outruns

The Bible is uncomfortably clear: death is not optional.

“It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Hebrews 9:27

It may come through illness, accident, through old age, or the slow decay of the body. It is coming!

And when it does, there are no stocked shelves, no backup plans, no excuses, only truth, fully exposed.

The Courtroom of Eternity

Scripture paints a courtroom scene that should silence every soul.

“For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14

Picture it with me........

You stand before the One who created you. Holy. Just. Perfect. His law is flawless because He is flawless (Psalm 19:7). That law written on every human heart now stands as the standard (Romans 2:14–16). And there is a prosecutor.

“The accuser of our brothers who accuses them day and night before our God.” Revelation 12:10

Satan steps forward.

One accusation after another:

• “Look at all these lies, even white lies."

• They stole; I have them using someone's Netflix password, and they cheated on their taxes

• “They lusted in their heart, and You said that's adultery” (Matthew 5:28)

• “They hated, and You said hatred is murder.” (1 John 3:15)

• “They disobeyed their parents.” (Exodus 20:12)

• “They used Your name carelessly.” (Exodus 20:7)

Every moment is replayed. Every motive exposed. Every sin is undeniable. The silence is deafening.

And in that moment, you know the truth: You are guilty!!!!!! There is no defense. No justification. No bargaining.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

The verdict is righteous and the judgment is just.

“The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23

Without intervention, the sentence is eternal separation from God 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9.

The Courtroom Is Not Empty

Before the sentence is carried out, Someone steps forward. Not because you earned it or because you deserved it.

“If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1

This Advocate arrived 2,000 years ago. He lived the life you could not live. He fulfilled every command you broke (Matthew 5:17). He stood silent under false accusations. He willingly took the punishment that was meant for you.

“He was pierced for our transgressions, the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him.” Isaiah 53:5

Every accusation was nailed to His cross.

“He canceled the record of debt that stood against us nailing it to the cross.” Colossians 2:14

And to prove the payment was accepted......

“He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:4

The resurrection was heaven’s receipt: Paid in full!!!

Two Outcomes in the Same Courtroom

For the One Without Christ

You stand alone. You represent yourself. And the verdict stands because you have no defense! You are guilty as charged!

“Anyone whose name was not found written in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

This is not symbolic language. This is not a metaphor. Jesus spoke more about judgment than anyone else because He loves us enough to warn us.

For the One Clothed in Christ

The scene is entirely different. Satan opens his mouth and Jesus speaks first.

“I paid their debt.”“They are Mine.”“They received the gift.”

You are not clothed in your righteousness but in His perfect righteousness!!

“He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

The Father declares:

“No condemnation.” (Romans 8:1) “Adopted.” (Romans 8:15) “Enter in.” (Matthew 25:34)

But Believers The Story Does Not End There

Salvation removes condemnation. It does not remove accountability.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:10

This is not the Great White Throne judgment for unbelievers (Revelation 20). This is the Judgment Seat of Christ for believers. Here, sin is not judged, service is. What did you do with the life you were given? The gifts? The time? The money that passed through your hands?

“Each one’s work will become manifest… the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.” 1 Corinthians 3:13

Some works endure like gold and precious stones. Others burn away like hay and straw.

The believer is saved, but the reward is lost. Scripture teaches that faithfulness now affects responsibility and authority in eternity (Luke 19:17; Revelation 22:12).

Faith That Saves Is Faith That Obeys

Christianity is not passive.

“Faith without works is dead.” James 2:17

We are soldiers (2 Timothy 2:3), servants (Matthew 20:26), ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20), salt and light (Matthew 5:13–16). We are not saved by works but we are saved for them (Ephesians 2:10).

So As the Storm Approaches

As you reach for bread on the shelf, be sure you are feeding on the Bread of Life (John 6:35).

As you prepare for darkness and power outages, walk diligently in the Light of the World (John 8:12).

This life is a vapor (James 4:14). Eternity is infinite.

So, I ask you today:

• Are you clothed in Christ, truly transformed?

• And are you living faithfully, knowing you will give an account?

The storm is coming. The question is not if but when: are you ready when it arrives?