Make Me Ready

Jan. 27, 2014

by Bob Farrell
He Is Comin' Back

I remember so vividly the sense of wonder and joy I felt in 1971 when I came into the Kingdom of God as a brand-new believer and got the full-download of something I had never-ever before known: that Jesus was coming again.

I realize that’s a truth that should not have escaped my attention in those previous 22 years on Planet Earth, but I can assure you it did. And the revelation electrified me: the same Jesus who came, lived among us, healed the sick and raised the dead, died on the cross, rose from the grave, ascended to heaven—that same Jesus is coming back.

Outrageously cool. I found myself wanting to share that news with anyone who would listen.

So, as a songwriter who was carving his songs to be little sermon-vehicles, my writing reflected that reality. And when we officially became Farrell & Farrell I made sure each album release had at least one eschatological song (that’s a $10 word for matters concerning Jesus’s return and end of the world).

The Jesus Movement of the early 70s was the breeding ground for F&F, Lovesong, Larry Norman and many other Jesus Music artists—and that movement and music were drenched with the message of Christ’s return. Who can forget those Norman classics: “I Wish We’d All Been Ready” and “Unidentified Flying Object”?

I know there are still many end-time teachers on TV and internet, i.e. Jack Van Impe and Hal Lindsey, alerting the church and the world at large with that message. But I don’t see the sense of urgency in the average believer these days.

Nor does there seem to be as much personal-witness-evangelism. The Jesus Movement was characterized by its strong horizontal mission—to make a Christian brother out of our fellow man.

New blood in the Body of Christ is absolutely vital to keeping the church and its ways fresh—and from becoming staid and static.

And Jesus taught us to: “Go out into the highways and hedges and bring them in”.

Did He ever waste words? Are we allowed to pick and choose—and treat the Gospel message like a smorgasbord?

As always I could be wrong—but I have a feeling that sharing our faith wrapped in the message of His return is not a menu item you can pass on—it’s core-gotta-have-it-to-live-food.

And if we’re all Noahs preparing for the coming flood—then, Lord, please. Make me ready.


As I said, my songs have consistently dealt with Jesus’ return. Songs like “Fig Tree”, “Get Right or Get Left”, “Split Second”, “Launch Window”. And this title cut, circa. 1980:

WINDS OF CHANGE KEEP BLOWIN’ STRONGER

I DON’T SEE HOW WE’VE GOT MUCH LONGER

MAKE ME READY—KEEP ME STEADY

THIS OLE WORLD WILL LOSE HER GLORY

I READ THE LAST PAGE OF HER STORY

MAKE ME READY—KEEP ME STEADY

TIME TO WAKE UP, SLEEPY PILGRIM

TURN YOUR OPEN EYES TO HIM

COULD IT BE YOU’RE NOT QUITE READY

FOR THAT NEW WORLD COMIN’ SOON—SO SOON

I KNOW THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING IS TRUE

SAYIN’ SOMETHING TO MY HEART—MAKE ME READY

YOU’RE SAYIN’ SOMETHING TO MY HEART—MAKE ME READY

When I first discovered all the Bible prophecies that point to the return of Christ (both in Old Testament and New), I simply could not get enough of them—and my excitement was off the chart, because to me they spelled NOW. The time in which we are living. The age of His return.

It’s true that other generations have expected Christ’s imminent return, including the believers that lived through the horrid persecution of the first century A.D.

But so much revolves around the nation of Israel in the fulfillment of those prophecies—and one of the most powerful pointers is to that which happened in 1948, following WWII: when Israel was created (or actually re-created) in a single day. Officials of the United Nations outlined an area on a map of the Middle East, and voile!—Israel was re-born.

Read this from Isaiah 66: Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment?

That is just one of those prophecies—a condition that heralds the return of Christ—and there are dozens more. Jesus said when you see all these things begin to happen, then look up—‘cause I’m comin’ down.

DOESN’T TAKE SOME PSYCHIC POWER

TO PERCEIVE THIS FINAL HOUR

MAKE ME READY—KEEP ME STEADY

Right. The imperative is: get ready to get goin’.

TIME TO GET MY HOUSE IN ORDER

I MAY NOT EVER SEE TOMORROW

MAKE ME READY—KEEP ME STEADY

Many of you know Jayne and I got pretty well wiped-out in the Nashville Flood of 2010. In the massive cleanup that followed, something really cool popped up (as happens in such an event—re-discovering things you hadn’t seen in years).

The item was the only extant copy (a large photo-print) of an original painting—the mock-up of an album cover that never made it—for the 1980 F&F Make Me Ready. It’s a reproduction of the 19th century classic painting, Noah’s Ark, by Edward Hicks. Ours featured Bob and Jayne in line with all the animals entering the Ark.

Exactly. Getting ready to leave on a trip to a whole new world.

SEEMS THIS WORLD HAS LOST CONTROL

SIGNS OF THE TIMES SO LONG FORETOLD

STAGE IS SET FOR HIS RETURNING

THERE’S A NEW WORLD COMING SOON—SO SOON

I KNOW THE PROMISE OF HIS COMING IS TRUE

I absolutely believe that truth—but I readily admit that I’m as guilty as anyone. I don’t have the same sense of urgency that used to inform and energize my life; nor share my faith and personal testimony as readily as I once did. I’m called to be ‘salt and light’ to the world, just as you are.

It’s our believer’s job description.

But whether I perform rightly or not, I can guarantee you one thing without question: He is returning—it is going to happen. Like a thief in the night—a total surprise— in a split second. We just don’t know exactly when.

But as Jesus himself said: neither does He or the angels of heaven—only the Father knows the day and the hour.

Our job is to plan like He’s not coming for another 100 years, but live like He’ll be here today—and bring as many people along on the boat with us as we can possibly cram aboard.

Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly.

Afterthought: I can’t believe we chickened-out and didn’t use that Ark cover, especially considering the one we went with—never loved that cover.


(lyrics from “Make Me Ready” by Bob Farrell and Michael Demus, circa. 1980)