Good Morning,
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took 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 ones, 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. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Matthew 25:1-13 niv
Heavenly Father,
We trust in your words, your will and guidance completely. I ask that your Holy Spirit would write your insight and truth, not myself. Thank you for this and in your son Jesus we ask. Amen.
We’re going to think about the “prepared and the unprepared.”
The religious vs those who have a relationship.
The number 10 in the Bible has a great deal of significance when you begin to read about it. There are:
The 10 virgins we will be meditating upon.
The 10 commandments.
The 10 plagues.
The 10 toes and 10 horns in Daniel and Revelation.
The words “God said” are repeated 10 times in Genesis during the week of creation.
And, is it a coincidence there are 5 fingers on each our hands and 5 toes on our feet because we are created in God’s image?
The words, “At that time in the very beginning of that parable tells us the parable is a continuation of Matthew 24.
Jesus told us in Matthew 24 the sign of His return is:
“As in the days of Noah” when the flood came and took everyone away.
There are exactly10 generations that lived up to the flood of Noah’s day until God’s judgement fell and brought the flood. Why? Because the people refused to repent.
The Passover lamb was to be sacrificed on the 10th day of the first month. This was symbolic to the true Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ. This is why John the Baptist said “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” John 1:29 The day of atonement was on the 10th day and on the 7th month.
There are 10 “I Am’s” in the Book of John
There are verses about the tithe being 10%.
There were 10 lepers.
I could go on.
I firmly believe through this parable we are given invaluable insight into God’s will in our lives and the dire repercussions of resisting His Holy Spirit.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 niv
All ten virgins had lamps and yet there were five wise and five foolish.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 kjv.
The five foolish virgins had their lamps but no oil. They knew the truth of the word, yet refused to accept it. They heard the gospel. This would be something like carrying a Bible that you never open or sitting in church and never accepting the Son of God as Lord. They lived without the Spirit of God [oil]. They had a counterfeit grace.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 kjv
These ones will never experience the Righteousness, Peace and Joy in the Kingdom of God. They were not born-again.
The five foolish virgins “knew about Jesus” but did not know Jesus.
The five foolish maidens did not believe that Jesus was the way to eternal life, although they gave the appearance of believing. They heard the good news yet, were not open to accepting the truth. Does not true belief bring regards of humility, recognition of honest need, seeking forgiveness, love and faith inside our hearts? The only time they called upon His name was when it was too late. They believed more in themselves, their own passions and will and did not bother to admit they were sinners and seek God’s truth. They did not admit their need. They felt they had plenty of time to get right with God, but kept putting it off. This is why Jesus called them foolish. They did not give a thought about their tomorrows. These are those who know the right way to go and yet turn their back from truth.
The foolish maidens are something like looking at a key that opens your door for you to walk through. There are keys that look 99.99% like your original key, but because there is one tiny subtle notch you cannot see with your eyes; the door will not open.
What did Jesus say?
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
When the wise maidens walked, they walked in Christ and when they slept, they slept in Christ. They were wise virgins who were ready at all times for the coming of Jesus. Their lives was a daily watch and by faith, they kept their wicks burning day and night because of their love for their Savior. Their hearts desire was to be a blessing. They recognized His voice when the trumpet blew. They did not compromise their walk. Did not adulterate their faith through dabbling in other beliefs. They walked in Grace. Their faith was followed by praying for others and themselves Ja.1:22 2:17,18. These five virgins were completely ready for the coming of Jesus Christ.
Today, those reading these words may not know if you are in right standing with God. The Bible says we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. The nicest person you know and seemingly does nothing to hurt others is a sinner. All true christians have walked through this same door before they receive eternal life. Humble yourself and open up your heart. Repent. This will be a life changing decision from you to turn away from the things you’ve been doing and once you do, The Holy Spirit will lovingly take you the rest of the way. There are many things we have to realize we cannot do by ourselves. Jesus Christ, the Son of Father God was sent to be a complete and total sacrifice as He was nailed and crucified upon the cross for you and me so we could be set free and have forgiveness for our sins. He literally laid down His life and his blood was shed to rescue your soul.
You may feel that your past is too dark and that God would never forgive you for the things you have done. This is not true. No matter how deep your pit, God’s love runs deeper! No matter what you have done, you can be forgiven, you have but to ask Him. The Bible talks about how God loved us before we knew Him.
Like the verse above says, there is only one way and that is through Jesus. God reaches out His hand and offers you Grace. (unmerited favor) None of us deserve it and there isn’t anything we can do to earn it. It is a free gift from God to you. If you feel that tugging in your heart as you read these words, I urge you to pray the prayer below and begin your supernatural life with Christ today.
Pray with me:
Heavenly Father,
I understand that I am a sinner and I understand that through the shedding blood of Jesus Christ I can receive forgiveness for all of my sins. Please confess your sins now: _________. [take your time]. I am so sorry I have done these things. I ask that you would forgive me for these sins. I confess and believe by faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that there is only one way to life in The Kingdom of God. I accept His gift of GRACE, His pardon in my life. I believe in your Son Father. I ask for the spirit of repentance be in my life to deliver me from all my sinful habits and bondages. I fully admit, I need your help Lord. I realize I cannot do some things on my own. I also ask that you would Baptize me in the Holy Ghost and Fire, just like your word talks about. Give me this new birth Lord, give me a new life. In your Son’s name I ask, amen.
If you have sincerely and humbly prayed this prayer, I urge you to find a good Bible believing Church right away. You will draw strength from other believers and they will help you grow. You must grow in the Word to learn how to walk in Christ. You will need to buy a good Bible. Begin to read the Bible everyday beginning in the book of John and pray to your Father God everyday. Give Him thanks that your eyes have been miraculously opened to the truth. He will never leave you or forsake you on your new journey. And, may
God continue to bless you.
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