We have a very short-sighted view of this fundamental question.

We sing about it in church and put it on bumper stickers. It jingles nicely and conjures pictures of clouds of angels, trumpet blasts, Jesus on a throne and the wild excitement of resurrection and rapture and space travel.

But what does it mean to "be ready"? Does being ready somehow mean that all your sins have been completely confessed and forgiven so no "spot" shows on your record? Does it mean having such a stalwart character that you can "stand without an intercessor" and yet hold your head high because you know you are invulnerable to temptation? Heaven help us; few can say honestly they have achieved anything near these goals.

We need to look at the fuller implications of getting ready. The apocalyptic part of this experience would occupy only a small part, a brief instant compared with what follows. What will it be like to live in a community where people think and feel and behave like real Christians?

Think about the radical life that Jesus lived, disregarding the high and lofty, recognizing the "little ones" who were held in such contempt by the church hierarchy, even treating women like equals with men.

How much adjusting will it take for us to become members of a "redemptive community," looking out for the good of others, trying to help others achieve their full potential as children of God?

How much effort will we have to put into learning to listen to others who have suffered many hurts at the hands of their supposed "brethren"?

Do you hope to have a part in making heaven that kind of community? Then maybe when you sing that song again you can think about practicing those behaviors now. The community of believers on the other side of the eschaton will not require force to treat one another right; they will not look for political advantage in selecting those to whom they extend favors. There will be no talk of "Adam’s birthright;" Jesus said both men and women will be as angels. Their only head will be Christ.

Won't it be great to live in a community like that? Wouldn't it be great to live in a community here and now where people were practicing up for the great experience in heaven? Are you ready?