The Open Heaven 4 October 2026 devotional for today is WILL YOU BE READY? I.
This is a daily devotion written by Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
OPEN HEAVENS 4 OCTOBER 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: WILL YOU BE READY? I
MEMORISE:
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 1:11
READ: 2 Peter 3:3-14
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:
6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
RCCG OPEN HEAVENS 4 OCTOBER 2026 TODAY MESSAGE
One of the reasons I spent three years studying Elijah was that he was gloriously taken to heaven without having to taste death. If I could have my way, I also would prefer not to die but rather be raptured (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Ever since I have learnt of the rapture, my prayer every night before I sleep has been, “Lord, if You return before tomorrow, please don’t leave me behind.”
The realisation that tomorrow may never come, and that the Lord may return before sunrise, has kept me on my toes since I surrendered my life to Jesus. He can even come this very night. It is clearly written in Luke 17:34 that two people will be on the same bed; one will be taken, and the other will be left behind. If Jesus returns tonight, will you be with Him in glory, or will you be left behind?
Today, I will discuss three out of six crucial things you should know about the Lord’s second coming. The remaining three will be discussed tomorrow.
- It is in two phases: The first phase is the rapture when Jesus descends from heaven to receive believers who have died and those who are still alive unto Himself (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The second phase is His glorious return, which all eyes shall behold (Revelation 1:7, Revelation 19:11-16).
- It is imminent: Although it may seem delayed, Jesus will return soon. Ignore people who speak and act as if He will never return. Peter already spoke about them in today’s Bible reading, how they will arise in the last days to challenge this truth. Sadly, many pastors have not preached about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in years. Beloved, don’t lose focus; keep in mind that Jesus’ return is closer than you think. I know His coming seems to be delayed, but God’s measurement of time is different from man’s measurement, as today’s Bible reading also tells us.
- It is certain: Jesus’ return is certain, and there is nothing anyone can do to change it. Today’s Bible reading also tells us that the Lord is not slack concerning His promise. He has promised to return, and it is certain that He will (Acts 1:10-11).
In Matthew 24:4-51, Jesus gave us numerous signs of His coming, and one of the prominent signs is that many deceivers will arise and many will be deceived. I pray that you will not be deceived in any way, in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT
Father, please help me to be fully prepared
for the second coming of Your Son, in Jesus’ name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Matthew 7-9
HYMN: Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour
OPEN HEAVEN DEVOTIONAL 4 OCTOBER 2026 COMMENTARY
The Open Heaven devotional for today, titled “Will You Be Ready? I,” delivers one of the most urgent truths in all of Scripture: Jesus Christ is coming back, and He could come at any moment. Grounded in Acts 1:11, 2 Peter 3:3-14, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, it calls every believer to live with a constant awareness that tomorrow may never come — and that the Lord may return before sunrise.
The realization that tomorrow may never come, and that the Lord may return before sunrise, has kept Daddy on his toes since he surrendered his life to Jesus. And he asks each of us the same question: If Jesus returns tonight, will you be with Him in glory, or will you be left behind?
1. His Coming Is in Two Phases
Daddy begins by clarifying a truth that many believers confuse: the second coming of Christ is not a single event but two distinct phases.
The first phase is the rapture — when Jesus descends from heaven to receive believers who have died and those who are still alive unto Himself (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). This is the moment when the dead in Christ rise first, and we who are alive and remain are caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. It is sudden. It is silent to the world. It is glorious for the Church.
The second phase is His glorious return, which all eyes shall behold (Revelation 1:7, Revelation 19:11-16). At that time, He will come with ten thousands of His saints, riding on a white horse, with a sharp sword proceeding from His mouth, to judge the nations and establish His kingdom.
Why is this distinction important? Because many people think they will have time to repent when they see Jesus coming in the clouds. But the rapture happens before that visible return. When Jesus comes for His bride, the world will not see Him — only His own will be caught up. And once that door closes, it closes forever.
2. His Coming Is Imminent
Although it may seem delayed, Jesus will return soon. He warns us to ignore people who speak and act as if He will never return.
Peter already spoke about them in today’s Bible reading. In 2 Peter 3:3-4, he wrote: “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”
These scoffers are not just unbelievers — they can be found in the church too. Sadly, many pastors have not preached about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in years. The pulpits have become silent about His return. And when the pulpit is silent about His return, the pew becomes careless about holiness.
But beloved, don’t lose focus. Keep in mind that Jesus’ return is closer than you think. Yes, His coming seems to be delayed — but God’s measurement of time is different from man’s measurement. As 2 Peter 3:8 tells us, “One day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.”
3. His Coming Is Certain
Jesus’ return is certain, and there is nothing anyone can do to change it.
Today’s Bible reading tells us that the Lord is not slack concerning His promise. He has promised to return, and it is certain that He will (Acts 1:10-11). When Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives, two angels stood beside the disciples and said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
He came the first time as a baby in a manger. He will come the second time as King of kings and Lord of lords. He came the first time to save. He will come the second time to judge. He came the first time in humility. He will come the second time in glory. And just as surely as He came the first time, He will come again.
In Matthew 24:4-51, Jesus gave us numerous signs of His coming. One prominent sign is that many deceivers will arise and many will be deceived. Daddy prays that you will not be deceived in any way, in Jesus’ name. And indeed, that is our prayer too.
4. The Signs Are All Around Us
The word of God gives numerous signs of His coming, with deception being one of the most prominent. Look at these two scriptures.
Matthew 24:12-13 — “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 — “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.”
Relating This to Your Everyday Life
It is easy to live as though Jesus is not coming back. We get caught up in our daily routines: work, family, bills, plans for the future. We make long-term plans without ever factoring in the possibility that Jesus might return before we fulfill them. We procrastinate on getting right with God, assuming we will have time later.
But Daddy’s prayer — “Lord, if You return before tomorrow, please don’t leave me behind” — reveals a different way to live. It is a life of constant readiness. It is a life that holds earthly things loosely and eternal things tightly.
What would change in your life today if you truly believed Jesus could return tonight? If you would do it tonight, you should do it now. Because tonight may never come — but His coming will.
Action Steps
1. Make Daddy’s Prayer Your Own — Every night before you sleep, pray: “Lord, if You return before tomorrow, please don’t leave me behind.” Let this prayer become a daily habit that keeps your heart ready.
2. Deal with Any Unconfessed Sin Today — Do not postpone repentance. If there is something between you and God, settle it now. Confess it. Forsake it. Receive His forgiveness.
4. Live Watchfully — Make time each day to read your Bible, pray, and examine your heart. Stay connected to a Bible-believing church. Surround yourself with believers who take the Second Coming seriously.
Prayer Points
- Father, I thank You with all my heart for the blessed hope of the rapture — that one day Jesus will come and take His bride home. Thank You for preparing a place for me, in Jesus’ name.
- Lord, forgive me for the times I have lived as though Jesus is not coming back. Forgive me for procrastinating on repentance and for letting my love grow cold, in Jesus’ name.
- Father, keep me alert and watchful. Let me never be caught off guard by Your return. Let me be found ready in You, in Jesus’ name.
- Lord, deliver me from every deception in these last days. Keep my eyes on Your Word and my ears tuned to Your Spirit, in Jesus’ name.
- Father, I want to be among those who are taken and not those who are left behind. If Jesus returns tonight, let me be with Him in glory, in Jesus’ name.
- Lord, give me the grace to live a holy life. Let me be found of You in peace, without spot, and blameless at Your appearing, in Jesus’ name.
- Father, use me to wake others up. Give me boldness to share the gospel and love to warn the wicked. Let me be found faithful when You return, in Jesus’ name.
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