Looking forward to meet the bridegroom
How many
Christians are looking forward to meet the King? How many of us are looking
forward to the kingdom of heaven? If we are, it will be wise to consider the
whole of this parable which the Lord has given unto us. As Christians, we are
told of a hope which awaits us after this life. The Lord has promised in John
14:2-4 that He will prepare a place for us, and also come back to take us
there. I am very sure we all look forward to going into his kingdom.
Preparation
We shall do
well to see how we prepare to meet the King, for in this, shall it be
determined who is wise or foolish among us. We see in this parable spoken by
our Lord that some were foolish. Why were they foolish, we may ask? They had their
lamps lit, but had no oils in their vessels. Who would do such a thing we may
ask again? It may do us well to consider if we have been classified among this
group of foolish virgins; since the Lord himself has indicated that some
Christians will be foolish. From scripture (please read Psalm 119:105), we see
that the lamp is the word of God which lights our path. We are also told by the
Lord (please read Matthew 5:14-16) that we are the light of the world. So as
you can see, these Christians carried their lights; they did good works, prayed,
prophesied, and healed the sick. They did everything well except for one thing;
they had no oil in their vessel. What is the oil? I know many say it represents
the Spirit of God, but I would like us to take more consideration into what it means. I would like to suggest that the oil not only represents the
filling of the Spirit, but it also represents the steadfastness, watchfulness,
obedience to the word, continued walk in holiness, endurance, and hearts steadily focused on the Lord. Those who possess this oil continue to work out their salvation
with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12), and they give diligence to make
their calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10).
Who then is
the wise Christian? These did not only carry their lamps, but they had oil in
their vessels to keep the light burning. This group which are called wise by
the Lord considered the journey ahead or even the cost of going on that journey
( please read Luke 14:26-35). They prepared well for the journey before meeting
the groom and paid the cost to be ready. They were full of the Spirit, watchful, obedient to the word
of God, steadfast in their faith, walked in holiness, endured all things, and
had their hearts fixed on the Lord.
Delay
So the groom
delayed His coming. May we also reason as to why He may have delayed His
coming? Perhaps the Christians were not ready for Him. Or He was hoping that
the foolish ones would get prepared properly? We know that the Lord is not
slack concerning His promises, but is longsuffering toward us because He is not
willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (read 2
Peter 3:1-18). He certainly forces no one to enter in, though He bids them to
come. He wants all who are called to make all necessary preparations If they
really want to be in His kingdom regardless of the cost.
Slumber
They
slumbered and slept while the Groom tarried. Why did they slumber we may ask? The
Christians probably waited for His return, but saw Him not. They heard that the
wedding would certainly hold, but when He delayed His arrival, they grew weary.
One thing to note here is that though the wise ones were included among those
who slumbered and slept, they still had their oil with them. What does it mean
to slumber and sleep? From what I have seen, the longer most people stay as
Christians they hear about the coming of Jesus, but as each year goes by
without His return, they become passive and get entangled with the things of
this world or various activities (which distracts them). It may also happen to
new believers also who after being hot for the Lord for a few years, begin to
lose their love for the things of God due to setbacks they may have
experienced, persecution, trial, or failed hope of a soon return of Jesus
Christ. Take also into account that the day got dark, and darkness mostly
represents evil. So we can also say that during the time of delay, the days
were perilous (see 2 Timothy 3:1-5). And because of these times, the love of
many will grow cold (see Matthew 24:12).
Another
reason many slumber is because they get entangled in various lusts, i.e lust of
the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. If these are not steadily
fought against, they will induce a stupor or passiveness to the priorities in
life (which are the things of God), and will quench the love we have for God.
We shall do well to read Matthew chapters 5-7 in order to see how and where we
stand. In this day and age, we have Christians living in adultery (as described
by the Lord) because they cannot keep to God’s commandment or were ignorant of
it. We also have Christians following worldly trends in almost all aspect of
life, forgetting that friendship with the world (its ways and conduct) is to be
an enemy of God (see James 4:4). We are not limited to examining the things
written in this discourse, so please check your hearts and ways before the word
of God in prayer.
Unknown hour, final call and wedding
At midnight,
an hour unknown to the Christians, a cry came that the bridegroom was on His
way. When this call was made (as we see it being made now), the Christians
arose and began working on themselves to be prepared. They trimmed their lamp;
checking to see that they had been in the truth of God’s word all the while
(please read Jeremiah 6:16). The foolish ones hereby seeing that they fell
short asked for some oil from the wise ones. Was there anyway the wise
Christians could give them anything? There was no way they could give them of
their own strength, least they too will be weary and fall short, so they said
“go to those who sell and buy some”. At the last minute, even the sellers are
off to the same wedding, so perhaps there will be none to sell. Even if they found
one who could teach them the right way, they may begin to contend with them
about what they think should or shouldn’t be done.
O what a
joyful time it must have been for the wise Christians who entered in; in
contrast, what a miserable reality it must have been for those who were outside
when the door shut. Even after they called out to the groom, He said “I know
you not”, (also see Matthew 7:21-23).
Final exhortation
So which are
you; wise or foolish? Have you defiled your garments? Have you allowed sin into
your life, and walked after the course of this world? Have you lost your first
love? Have you kept the faith? Are you ready for His return? Are you really
walking in the doctrines of the Lord and His apostles?
These are sincere questions to ask ourselves. Many may
say that there is no need to get ourselves ready, but I see that the Lord
commands Churches in Revelation chapters 2-3 to get themselves back in order.
The call is out now in this generation for the Church to fix up and get ready.
The Lord is asking us to trim our lamps and get ready. Be watchful, strengthen
the things which remain, remember the word of God and do them. Hold fast to the
word of God and repent if your garment has been defiled. If you shall not
watch, He will come as a thief in the night and you will be left outside. But
if you are ready and have garments that are not defiled, you shall be with Him.
Search your hearts; let the Lord cleanse all impurity
within. As He works on your heart, the outside will be made clean as well - it shall be visible to all when you begin to separate yourself from the ways of this world. Go back to the doctrines taught in the bible and do
as God has commanded.
May we all be ready for His return in Jesus name. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment