Are we ready? We've all received an invitation to the wedding -- not of the year, not of the century, but for all eternity.
Matthew 25:1-13 tells us ten virgins were waiting for a bridegroom:
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 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.
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. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 25:1-13 KJV)
The foolish girls were not the focus that night – the groom was. As He should be while we wait for Him today. Just as these virgins, we have no idea when the Groom will arrive. There is no schedule for His return, we’ve only been told that He will be here
Some would decry the wise virgins’ lack of charity in refusing the needy. Surely it would have been a charitable act for them to share, to ease the burden their companions faced. What harm would it have been to share their oil? Part of it? All of it? There are so many possible scenarios here, but the easiest would have been for the foolish to have 1) brought oil with them; 2) get some more instead of falling to sleep. They were responsible for their actions, and they paid the cost by being shut out.
Are we prepared? Are our lamps still burning? Do we even have lamps? How ready are you for the wedding of all eternity?
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