No One Knows the
Day
REVELATIONS 19:9 - Then the
angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are
invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" And
He added, "These are the true words of God."
Not too long ago there was a certain
preacher who insisted that the world was going to end on a
certain day. He claimed to have mathematical and
biblical proof that this was true, and even had some people
getting their affairs in order, although I don't know what
that would accomplish.
This reminded me of a parable that Jesus
once told His disciples:
MATTHEW 25:1-13 - At that
time the kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who tool
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, however, took oil in jars along with
their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming,
and 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." "No,"
they replied, "there may not be enough for both us and
you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some
for yourselves." But 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. "Sir! Sir!" they
said. "Open the door for us!" But he
replied, "I tell you the truth, I don't know
you." Therefore keep watch, because you do not
know the day or the hour.
Sometimes I think we underestimate the
parable of the virgins. We were always told it
represented Jesus' return and our duty to be ready, but I
think there's more to it. We are, in a sense, the
wedding party for Christ's marriage to the Church.
Like the bridesmaids and groomsmen, it's our responsibility
to help prepare the celebration by following Christ and
working to serve Him. It also means we'll have to
endure a long night filled with uncertainty, and our faith,
like the lamp oil, must constantly be replenished.
It's going to be a lot of hard work, but when the groom
arrives and the celebration begins, there's no doubt it will
all have been worth it.
Take some time to read Jesus' parables in
Matthew 13 and reflect on their meanings.
Heavenly Father, we ask you to open
our eyes to the wisdom in your teachings. Give us the
strength to keep vigil, steadfast in our faith, and share
the message of your love.
-Pastor
Chris
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