Those Who Were Ready

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”   Matthew 25:1-13

The parable of the Ten Virgins is given to underscore the importance of being ready for Christ’s return in any event—even if He delays longer than expected. For when He does return, there will be no second chances for the unprepared. Paul wrote for us in first Thessalonians chapter five, he said, “of the times and the seasons you have no need that I write unto you, for you yourselves know perfectly well that the coming of the Lord is as a thief in the night, but you are not the children of darkness, so that day should overtake you as a thief.” (v.1-5)  Now the Lord does expect us to know or be aware of the times and seasons we are living in, however, we do not know the day, or the hour of Christ’s return. Therefore Jesus words to His followers then, and for us today is, to be watching, and to be ready for His appearance.

The parable of the ten virgins are representative of the whole church. And the five wise virgins represent the true body of Christ. No doubt you’ll find others who disagree with this, and that’s fine, this text is not a matter of doctrinal compromise, but rather the interpretation of a coming event. But we can agree that there is a vast church system in our world today, as Jesus said in the parables of the kingdom, how the mustard seed grew into a tree, and every bird came and lodged in its branches. There are all kinds of birds lodging in the overall tree of the church, with some of them not in Spirit and truth. As we look at the church today, And as we know from Scripture the times and seasons we are in. There is very few who would not agree that we are living in the last days events, and one of those events is the apostasy of the church. There are surely many apostate ministers, Paul said, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4)  And we know that today, you can hear the unbelief and skepticism that is expressed by so many ministers behind the pulpit of unbelief in the Word of God as inspired and holy, whose doctrinal issues of great concern, give doubt in the virgin birth of Christ, or unbelief in the atoning death of Jesus Christ, and yet, they call themselves ministers. They are in part of major denominations, and are embracing all kinds of ungodly doctrines.

So the church encompasses a broad spectrum of people; some converted and truly saved, and some still unconverted in which if Christ would return today, would be likened to the five foolish virgins who were not ready when the bridegroom came. Jesus makes this clear in the messages to the seven churches in Revelation chapter’s two and three: In fact, He said plainly to the church in Thyatira: “I gave her space to repent of her fornication, but she repented not, therefore I will cast her into the great tribulation, and those who commit fornication with her, unless they repent.” (Revelation 2:21)  The church unfortunately is not a true representation of Jesus Christ. Yet, there are those who are keeping true to the Word of God, true Bible believing pastor/teachers and rightly dividing the Word of God. These are in essence, the true body of Christ, and are witnessing to the world today.

Now the oil in Scriptures represent the Holy Spirit. There are those trying to do the work of ministry in the energy of their flesh. Their own strength, their own wisdom, their own abilities. Trying to help God grow their church, instead of simply feeding His sheep, they orchestrate all kinds of programs to rather entertain the flock, but that’s not what God ever intended for it to be. He will bring the increase, He will cause the growth of the church by adding to it. Our part is to be faithful in the calling to teach His Word, line upon line, precept upon precept.

Beloved friend, It says in the Book of James: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast or lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13-18)  Now depending on which camp you are in, I believe you can tell who are the five wise, and who are the five foolish virgins awaiting the bridegroom’s return. Let us come out of our comfort zone’s and be about our Father’s business until He comes, you will not regret but probably one thing when we get to heaven, And that is why I didn’t tell more people about Jesus Christ! And His love for them.

Dave and Sophia, Thank you!

May the Lord bless your walk today!

Author: rontrujillo

Married 37 years We have six children. All of whom are adult. Three are married one of them blessed us with three beautiful grandchildren. Retired Firefighter @ Boeing Aircraft 37 years (Formally McDonnell Douglas) Born Again Summer of 1981 View all posts by rontrujillo