Wise and Ready or Foolish and Unprepared?

“For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps” -Matt 25:3 (ESV)

Today, I am amazed at people who claim to be Christian but live their lives with their focus not in heaven but in the world. I see and hear all the time what people talk about, do, their cares, but little on the Lord in their talk, discussions and cares. But lets take a look at the parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins (Bridesmaids) as described to us by Jesus in Matt 25.

Ten virgins took their lamps out to meet the bridegroom but he was delayed. Five were wise and five foolish. 

• The 5 wise took oil in their lamps,
• The 5 foolish took their lamps but no extra oil,
• The bridegroom, for whatever reason, was delayed,
• They all slumbered and slept
• But one night, at midnight, a cry was heard that the bridegroom had arrived
• All the 10 virgins trimmed their lamps to go out and meet the bridegroom,
• The 5 that prepared were on their way,
• The 5 that were foolish and unprepared and could not proceed. They had to go and find some oil to buy.

What the Bible says about Trimming the Lamp (From Forerunner Commentary)

A lamp is trimmed when the wick is turned either up or down to regulate the amount of flame. If a lamp is empty of oil, it does not matter how much one trims it—the lamp will go out when the oil is consumed.

Apparently, when events make it obvious Christ’s return is immediate, the whole church wakes up in surprise. Its members get out their Bibles to find the answer to where Christ is waiting for them, but with the oil of the Holy Spirit producing only a dim light, they lack the spiritual insight to find Him. It is as though the foolish virgins are stumbling around in the dark trying to understand the Word of God, but they cannot.

At this point, the foolish are in a state of panic; they realize they cannot understand and do not have the faith to believe. They ask the wise for help in understanding.

I liken this to the churches preparation for this event and I clearly believe this is associated with the rapture of His Bride – for the real and true believers in Christ and not the fake, put-on-a-good-front ones.

The virgins (perhaps meaning all those who claim to be a Christian, indicative of the church…) that took oil were prepared and ready for his return. They were so ready in body, soul and spirit that they had no trouble preparing as much as it took ready to meet the bridegroom. Their mindset was on him, their readiness was steadfast and relentless. They prepared by knowing that without the oil, they could not light his way and the procession that was to follow from the brides home to the bridegrooms place that he had prepared. They constantly read their Bibles, prayed and watched to know Him more.

“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34- For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35- Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36- Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. 37- And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” -Mark 13:33-37 (KJV)

So how does this apply to us today? Are those who proclaim themselves Christians ready for His return? The return of the Lord to catch away His Bride (referring to the real believers whether they attend church or not). Will those foolish ones, the ones that were not ready, unprepared, focused on the world, that had not enough oil in their lamps, be taken or the door slammed in their faces by the Bridegroom because He didn’t know them? Not everyone who says they’re a Christian will make it to heaven at the Rapture. Only those who love His appearing and are prepared and waiting for His arrival (Heb 9:28).

Many are caught up in the world with cares of family, friends, work, jobs, houses, cars, 401k accts and retirement plans. Money, money, money. Things, things, things. All these distract us from focusing on the return of the Bridegroom and His snatching us away. He has said many times in Scripture that He knows those that are His (2 Tim 2:19; Nahum 1:7; John 10:27). 

“But be on your guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that this day will not come on you suddenly, like a trap; 35- for it will come upon all those who live on the face of all the earth. 36- But stay alert at all times, praying that you will have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” -Luke 21:34-36 (NASB)

How many of us have prepared for eternal life with the Lord? Do you strive for holiness in thought, word and deed? Do you take the time daily to read His word?

Many people make and take the time to watch the filth on TV but who spends time in prayer and meditation on the Lord getting to know Him more each day?

He sees all those things and He knows our hearts.

Is your lamp filled with oil (preparedness) for His return or are you unprepared and could care less if He returns or not? He knows our hearts; we can fake it to others but not to Him. Are you anxiously waiting for His return? Would you go today without hesitation or delay? Would you still have the same faith if all your worldly stuff was taken from you? Remember, the whole church went out to meet the bridegroom but only a very few were ready and were able to trim their lamps to go and meet the bridegroom. So what camp are you in? Ready, willing and able or poorly unprepared with a careless, lethargic, complacent, position on Christ’s return? .
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“But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7- Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8- And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9- But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10- And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11- Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12- But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13- Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” -Matt 25:6-13 (ESV)

 

-BPWatcher, Internet Preacher and Bible Prophecy Watchman

GLORY TO GOD!