Matt. 25:1-1325:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
25:2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
25:3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
25:5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
25:7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
25:8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
25:9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
25:11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
25:12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
I will have to make this a short reading due to all the information that is available.
However, the main points will be made.
The ten virgins are representing God's children, the Christian.
"The 10 virgins..... all claim to be Christians. All have a call, a name, a lamp, and all profess to be doing God's service. All apparently wait for Christ's appearing." COL 412
Christ uses "midnight" because that is the darkest period of the night. So that goes to say that the Christian is watch the events that's going on "at the darkest hour of earth's history".
"The 10 virgins are watching in the evening of this earth's history". COL 412
Then, there is that call that comes at midnight, a loud cry, a great shout, "The Bridegroom cometh, The Bridegroom cometh, let's go out to meet him".
"Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming, let's go out to meet Him".
The 10 virgins all have oil in their lamps, but 5 does not have enough.
Oil in Bible terms represents the Holy Spirit. 5 of then did not allow the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts, to work in them, in creating a new nature.
So 5 went to buy some oil, they went to seek the Holy Spirit, which they could , and would not find.
"They receive the word with readiness, but they fail of assimilating its principles. Its influence is not abiding. The Spirit works upon man's heart, according to his desire and consent implanting in him a new nature; but the class represented by the foolish virgins have been content with a superficial work. They do not know God. They have not studied His character; they have not held communion with Him; therefore they do not know how to trust, how to look and live. Their service to God degenerates into a form". COL 411
When they thought that they had found enough oil, or when they thought that the Holy Spirit have caused a reformation in their hearts, they returned only to find the door of the reception, closed. What a tragedy.
They missed the reception, they missed the party, the missed the Joy for eternity with Jesus.
The darkest period of earth's history is upon us. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, and to do His good pleasure.
Phil. 2:13 "For it is God which worketh in you both, (in us) to will and to do of his good pleasure".
"It is the darkness of misapprehension of God that is enshrouding the world. Men are losing their knowledge of His character. It has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. At this time a message from God is to be proclaimed, a message illuminating in its influence and saving in its power. His character is to be made known. Into the darkness of the world is to be shed the light of His glory, the light of His goodness, mercy, and truth". COL 415
"The last rays of merciful light, the last message of mercy to be given to the world, is a revelation of His character of love. The children of God are to manifest His glory. In their own life and character they are to reveal what the grace of God has done for them." COL 415
Matt. 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven".
"Thus in the night of spiritual darkness God's glory is to shine forth through His church in lifting up the bowed down and comforting those that mourn. All around us are heard the wails of a world's sorrow. On every hand are the needy and distressed. It is ours to aid in relieving and softening life's hardships and misery. Practical work will have far more effect than mere sermonizing. We are to give food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, and shelter to the homeless. And we are called to do more than this. The wants of the soul, only the love of Christ can satisfy. If Christ is abiding in us, our hearts will be full of divine sympathy. The sealed fountains of earnest, Christlike love will be unsealed." COL 417
I pray that we will not miss the reception.
Have a great day in the Lord.
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