The Greek hetoimazō (G2090) means to prepare, make ready, or arrange. It is a key verb in the NT's theology of divine preparation. Isaiah 40:3 (quoted by all four Gospels) calls for preparing the way of the Lord. In John 14:2-3, Jesus declares: 'I am going there to prepare (hetoimazō) a place for you... I will come back and take you to be with me.' Revelation 21:2 describes the new Jerusalem as 'prepared (hetoimazō) as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.' God is the great Preparer.
Hetoimazō reveals that Christian eschatology is not random but divinely prepared. The places Jesus goes to prepare are not improvised — they are ready when the time comes. The same verb describes the preparation of the Passover meal (Luke 22:8-13), the preparation of the eternal dwelling (John 14:2), and the preparation of the bride-city for the final wedding (Revelation 19:7, 21:2). God does not react to history; He prepares for it. The believer's task is to be part of God's prepared people — the church that makes herself ready (Revelation 19:7: 'His bride has made herself ready').