“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but ONLY THE ONE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER (those who are Born Again) who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and, in your name, perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU. AWAY FROM ME, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23)
Being ready for Christ’s return ultimately involves one major thing which manifests itself in several areas of our lives. If we would be ready for Christ’s return, WE MUST BE BORN AGAIN THROUGH SAVING FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST…His death, burial and literal resurrection from the dead. And awaiting the Lord’s return, “At THAT TIME (when the Lord calls us to meet Him in the air) THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WILL BE LIKE TEN VIRGINS who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them WERE FOOLISH and five WERE WISE. The foolish ones took their lamps but DID NOT TAKE ANY OIL with them. The wise ones, however, TOOK OIL IN JARS, WITH THEIR LAMPS…they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘GIVE US SOME OF YOUR OIL; our lamps are going out.’ (The oil represents the presence of God in our life. It’s the oil that keeps the fire burning in us. IT MEANS WE ARE SAVED.)
‘NO,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you…while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready WENT IN with Him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But JESUS replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I DON’T KNOW YOU.‘” (Matthew 25:1-13)
The five virgins who have the extra oil represent THE TRULY BORN AGAIN. They have saving faith and have determined that, whatever occurs, they will be looking for Jesus with eagerness. The five virgins without the oil represent FALSE BELIEVERS who enjoy the benefits of the Christian community without TRUE LOVE FOR A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST. They are more concerned about the party than about longing to see the bridegroom. Their hope is that their association with true believers (“give us some of your oil” of verse 8) will bring them into the kingdom at the end. One person’s faith in Jesus CANNOT SAVE another. This parable implies that ONLY HALF OF THE CHURCH will be saved when Jesus comes! So, we better make sure we are ready NOW…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham