Like the parable of the ten virgins, where the groom is expected to show up at midnight we must live-ready for the appearing of the bridegroom; Our Lord Jesus. Here are some key things you need in these times:
Firstly, you need light to walk in the midnight hour. The true word of God is light according to Psalms 119:105.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
Psalms 119:105 NKJV.
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
John 1:4-5 NKJV
The word of God illuminates our path in the midnight. This refers to the revealed word which exposes and overcome darkness John 1:4&5. To access this revealed word, we must go beyond what is preached to experiencing what is written by giving ourselves diligently to the study of the word under the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
“For thus has the Lord said to me: “Go, set a watchman, Let him declare what he sees.””
Isaiah 21:6 NKJV.
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””
Matthew 26:41 NKJV
Secondly, we must be on our wall like the watchmen of old. The watchmen in the Jewish culture ascends to the top of the wall to gain a clearer view of what is coming ahead whether good or bad. This should be our position in this time, watching carefully on our knees in prayer. Jesus said several times Watch and Pray. It is by our watchful prayer that we do not fall into slumber. We must be kept alert for the bridegroom arrival.
Thirdly, we must persevere. One of the terms hardly used in modern day Christianity is perseverance! But is there anything like modern day Christianity? The same Faith then is the same one now, whatever was useful and important for the early church is important for us now. Perseverance is enduring, staying committed even when it’s difficult. It’s sad that so many of our churches no longer teach on the Lord’s appearing, and it’s because we think it’s taking forever. Let me remind us that between the times when the birth of the Messiah was prophecied and when it actually happened felt like forever, no wonder the synagogue leaders then had a hard time believing that Jesus was the promised one. The Lord would have us stay true and committed, it is not how we started but how we finish. He who endured till the end will be saved. Don’t give up waiting.
“But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”
Matthew 24:13 NKJV
Most importantly, let's learn a lesson from the five wise virgins who took extra oil for the lamps. We need extra oil like the five wise virgins Ephesians 5:18 says
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,”
Ephesians 5:18 NKJV
According to this verse, to be filled with the Holy Spirit means "be being filled" which connotes a constant filling of the Holy Spirit, staying filled and prayed up. The oil can be a symbol of the Holy Spirit who keeps our prayer life burning like the fire of the lamp. Many believers are sleeping and their lamps are out because the oil is exhausted. Like the five foolish virgins, they are living on yesterday revelation with no power, no flame and no fire. We all need a constant infilling of the Holy Spirit to stay ablaze.
In conclusion, Jesus used the wedding terminology of the Jewish culture in John 14 when He said: " in my Father's house there are many mansions". The bridegroom in Matthew 25 refers to our Lord Jesus. For this bridegroom, the virgins waited and they got drowsy, but upon hearing the trumpet they all woke up and those with extra oil could go in with the bridegroom. As part of the bride of Christ, you and I can get drowsy in our wait for His return, in fact, there were times I have been drowsy carried away with distractions, but the stirring of the Holy Spirit within brings me back on track. I want you to remember they all heard the trumpet and woke up but not all could go in because some lacked oil.
Dear believer, what level is your oil? This is a call to wake you from slumber, get a fresh in-filling of the Holy Spirit to stay alert in these dark times. Be careful to discern what is happening around.
Thank you for stopping by today till you stop by next time, keep yourself ABLAZE in the Spirit.
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