In our daily meditation on the Scriptures, we pick up from yesterday’s look at the prophetic Parable of the Ten Virgins. The five wise virgins prepared extra oil for the darkness of night, while the five foolish virgins believed they wouldn't need more oil and didn’t prepare for the darkness before the Bridegroom’s arrival. Let’s read the second part of the parable.
The Midnight Cry: Matthew 25:8-13
8The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9“‘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.’ 10“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. 11“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 12“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 13“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:8-13).
The Importance of Spiritual Preparedness (The Extra Oil)
In yesterday’s meditation, we reflected on how the Bridegroom arrived not at five in the afternoon but during the darkest hour—midnight (Matthew 25:6). When everyone was deeply asleep, the sudden call woke them abruptly. All ten heard the announcement that the Bridegroom was approaching. They quickly got up to meet Him. The wise virgins had prepared extra oil for their lamps in jars they brought with them (v. 5). They then trimmed their lamps and went out to greet the Bridegroom. Consider this beautiful verse: “The Bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with Him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut” (Matthew 25:10). Indeed, the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus, will come for His bride. Those who have waited faithfully and patiently will hear the call to join the wedding.
What Happens When Christ Comes?
The first thing we observe is the immediate entrance to the wedding when the Bridegroom arrives. We are not listening to stories, but reflecting on the moment we will hear the call. Do not entertain any misconceptions about having to go through purgatory first. No, this will happen instantly when He comes. If you walk with Christ, your joy will be immense as you see the Lord’s return amid this world's darkness. Those believers who have died (fallen asleep) and left this world will come with Christ at His appearance (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Here’s what the Apostle Paul said about that event:
The Hope For All Believers: Meeting the Lord in the Air
13Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; emphasis added).
For those of you who have already lost a loved one to the sleep of death, rest assured that if they died in Christ, they are already with Christ in glory.
Practical Application:
· Live with "Midnight" Urgency: The foolish virgins thought they had more time. For us, the application means living today as if it were the day of the banquet—reconciling with others, sharing the Gospel, and keeping our hearts "trimmed" and ready.
· Encouragement Over Fear: Paul tells us to "encourage one another with these words"(v.18). If you are in Christ, the "shut door" isn't a threat; it's a promise of safety and eternal celebration. Apply this by choosing hope over the anxiety of the world’s darkness.
Continue Your Journey…
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The in-depth study on the parable is here: Parable of the Ten Virgins.
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