Are We Ready To Meet The Bridegroom? (Matthew 25:1-13)

Champion of the Gospel with Jonathan Heng

Hosting Pastor: Ernesto Teodoro Jr., Calvary Temple Harvest International

In Matthew 25:1, we see that “ ...the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.” If we will notice, there are ten virgins but only one Bridegroom. “Virgins” represents those who belong to the Lord. The Church, with many members, are the Body of Christ. We are also the Bride of Christ. We wait in anticipation for the day when we will be united with our Bridegroom. We are “virgins” watching and waiting for the rapture, or resurrection, to partake of the marriage supper of the Lamb.

Of all the ten virgins, five of the them were wise, while the other five were foolish. Outwardly, all of them look the same by carrying lamps. Yet, fifty percent of them were smart and the remaining half were silly. Could this be said of believers in the Church today?

Are we experiencing spiritual fruitfulness or barrenness? Are we ignited and on fire for the Lord, or lukewarm? If we are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, the Lord will spue or vomit us out of His mouth.

Who then, are the wise virgins? They are those who being filled and re-filled with the Holy Spirit. Those who are being refreshed and replenished in God’s presence.

While all virgins trimmed their lamps, there is indication that the foolish virgins neither trimmed the wick, nor carried extra oil. Spiritually-speaking, many Christians do not trim the wick. We fail to lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us. We give out more smoke than light to others around us.

When the foolish virgins ran out of oil, they ask the wise virgins for it. The wise replied, Not so. Every one must have his own oil of the Spirit, and not think that he can live off someone else’s anointing. Sadly, in many churches, we depend on the spirituality of others, and become lazy and lethargic in our own walk with the Lord. Do not misunderstand. There are gifts and callings of God that are being used to bless and edify others in the Body of Christ. We thank God for apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, who provides leadership and oversight over the flock of God and perfect the saints. But each of us must still depend on God’s grace to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Our faithfulness and consecration must come from our hunger for the Lord. We are to rest and remain in Christ the vine, to grow in the knowledge of the Word, His truth, righteousness and holiness.

As the foolish virgins went to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Today, there are many who profess to know the Lord. They have an outward show of godliness but no inward spiritual life and energy. They boast of their past Christian experience but lacks a fresh touch from the Lord right now. They run out of the oil of the Holy Spirit.

Salvation is a gift through faith, not by works or keeping the laws. At the same time, we have a responsibility to believe and obey all of His Word, not just some parts. We will experience failures in our Christian life, but as long as we keep our faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrificial work on the cross, we will not lose our way.

We do not know the day nor the hour when the Jesus will come, but we are to watch and live our lives as if He is coming today. Let us watch and pray, occupy and always abounding in the work of the Lord until He comes. Are we ready?