I have been reading through and dwelling on Psalms since the pandemic started but these last few days I detoured to Matthew. I wanted to reread what Jesus said about the last days. And there it was...
THE PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS
I wasn’t planning on that. But it hooked me.
10 virgins
10 lampstands
All in the same place and reacting to the same thing.
Yet 5 of them are called FOOLISH. They tried to get into the wedding feast but the door was SHUT. The worst part is Jesus said to them “Assuredly I never knew you.” They knew who He was but all that time they did not KNOW Him or belong to Him. WOW!
I read. Reread. Reread again...and again. Prayed and asked the Lord to show me what this means. Why virgins? Why the same lamp stands? What about the oil?
I was also wondering about the basics of living the Christian life and how during this pandemic, and even before that, how often they seem to be neglected. Things like being in FELLOWSHIP, making the gathering of God’s people a weekly priority, showing honor and respect by being on time or even gasp! early... Being IN THE WORD daily, alone with the Lord, letting Him speak to you, learning what He loves and what He hates, as in the ways of the world...TITHING, giving a tenth of what He gives you every week for the work of the ministry...Using your God given abilities, GIFTS, to serve others in the body of Christ. Maybe it’s cooking? Cleaning? Gardening? Decorating? Calling? Visiting? Organizing? Fixing things? Writing?
All these questions and here are even more: Do you belong to Him? Does He know you? How are you treating His body of believers? What are you doing to help them? Are you a good example to others in what you do, say, post?Are you obeying Him in the basics?
ARE YOU READY for the wedding feast?
The oil talked about in this parable represents the indwelling presence of the Holy Sprit in ones life. You receive Him when you REPENT of your sin, and BELIEVE in your heart that Jesus shed His blood for you, on the cross, to forgive you of your sin. The 5 foolish virgins were in church but they weren’t born again. They were religious but didn’t have the Holy Sprit living in them. Their life was not a reflection of true repentance and forgiveness. If you are born again you know it. If you wonder than you are not. It’s very simple.
We are living in a very exciting time as we see Bible prophecy unfolding before our eyes. The bridegroom, Jesus, has been delaying. His bride, the church, can grow weary. Let’s WAKE UP. Be WISE. Reprioritize our time. LOOK UP!...for He is at the door.
Here is the parable from Matthew 25. Please, read it for yourself...
Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
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