Are you ready for the Bridegroom?
.
Pastor
Howard Stewart, Oklahoma
“And
while they (the foolish virgins)
went to buy (oil for their lamps),
the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding and
the door was shut.”
(Matthew
25:10)
The story from which this passage is
taken is widely known in Christendom as “The Parable of the Ten Virgins”. The
good news it portrays is that the Bridegroom, Jesus the Messiah, is coming.
Some will be ready for His coming. The sobering reality is that some will not.
The obvious point of the parable is found in verse 13: “Watch!” Christ’s could return at any time.
Notice the finality of the phrase “…and
the door was shut.” How tragic the bridegroom’s response to their
belated petition: “I do not know you.”
Look at Revelation 22:20. “Surely
I am coming quickly.” The question must be asked: “Are YOU ready for
the Bridegroom’s coming?”
Notice what will happen on that day: “The
Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an
archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the
clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17).
Paul went on to say: “…the
day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and
safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a
pregnant woman. But you brethren are not in darkness, so that this Day
should overtake you as a thief.” (I Thessalonians 5:2- 4)
Things will not go on in the same
manner forever. His coming will set in motion a series of events that will culminate
in the millennial reign of Christ. We the Bride join in the invitation: “Even
so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)
For
further study:
Revelation 20:5, 6
Isaiah 65:25
Zechariah 8, 12
Daniel 2:44
…and others
