7-6-24

Reading today from Matthew 24:32-51 and 25:1-46

I’ve been praying through the signs of the time and the Holy Spirit keeps impressing on me the phrase “it’s time to wake up from your slumber.”  Today’s reading focuses on this thought.  While we don’t know the day or the hour of the return of our Lord the message is that we are to live in a constant state of readiness.  We are to live lives of holiness and righteousness as we await Jesus’ return for his bride. 

“Jesus said “Even so, when you see all these things, you know that He is near, right at the door…No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father… Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matt. 24:33,36,42 NIV1984). 

He said when you see ALL these things then His return is near.  Some of these things have happened throughout history at various times.  It is the human condition and the way the natural universe functions.  The question is “are we seeing ALL these things happening together since the restoration of Israel as a nation in 1948?”  There are still some biblical prophecies that need to be fulfilled but the signs of which Jesus spoke are increasingly coming to pass!  Jesus’ admonition is KEEP WATCH because we don’t know when His coming will happen. This means to wake up from my slumber, live a life of holiness and righteousness, preparing my heart for His coming as if He was going to return today.  This should affect every area of my life with an overwhelming ever growing love for Him and an increasing burden to get “Jesus to people and people to Jesus” (JD Farag)  My job and calling is to love Him with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and to call everyone to wake up from their slumber and prepare their hearts for His soon return!

In the Parable of the 10 Virgins in Matt. 25:1-13 Jesus said:

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6 “At midnight the cry rang out: `Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The 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. `Sir! Sir!’ they said. `Open the door for us!’

12 “But he replied, `I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’

13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

Jesus’ message since the beginning of His earthly ministry was “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 4:17).  In the parable of the 10 virgins, five were foolish and were not prepared for His return while five were ready with extra oil for their lamps but all of them had fallen asleep because the Lord “was a long time coming.”  Jesus said that at the time of His return this is what the kingdom of heaven would be like.  I wrote in another post (“The Foundation of Jesus’ Message” on Oct. 31, 2023) how there is a threefold understanding of the kingdom of heaven:

1. the universal reign of God over all creation
2. the spiritual reign of God in my life accomplished through repentance; belief in Jesus’ death burial and resurrection; and confession that Jesus is Lord. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved “ (Rom. 10:13)
3. the literal, physical, and spiritual millennial reign of Christ Jesus in the future

Jesus was referring to the 2^nd aspect of the kingdom of heaven – the spiritual reign of God in our personal lives.  This is indicated by the final statement He made in this parable “I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.”

This parable taught by Jesus shows that there are many in the church today whose hearts are not prepared for His return.  The Lord has been a long time coming and His church has become drowsy and fallen asleep.  Jesus is calling His people to wake up from their slumber and prepare their hearts for His imminent return.  The question must be asked – “Do you know Jesus as Savior and Lord?”  Jesus would not let into His banquet the five virgins whose hearts were not prepared by knowing Him as Savior and Lord but eagerly invited in the five virgins whose hearts were prepared.

How terrible it will be for those who play at church trying to follow a list of rules but do not have a personal relationship with Jesus.  Going to church, acts of service (works), following traditions made up by man, or riding on the coattails of parents or friends will not gain entrance into the kingdom of heaven.  As Jesus said when quoting the prophet Isaiah,

“These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are but rules taught by men.”

(Matt. 15:8-9 NIV1984 quoting Isaiah 29:13)

There must be a confession with the mouth “Jesus is Lord” and a belief in the heart that God raised Him from the dead in order to be saved.  All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:9-10, 13).  We won’t be invited into His banquet unless we know Him and He knows us.  No party crashers allowed!

If you’re asleep (apathetic of your relationship with Jesus) it’s time to wake up!  The bridegroom is at the door.  Do you truly know Him (relationship) or just know of Him (head knowledge) and does He know you?

A Prayer

Father, wake your church up from their slumber and convict our hearts that we may know Jesus as Lord and Savior walking in full surrender, submission, and fellowship with you.  Encourage the hearts of those who truly know you in a personal relationship and bring those who do not know you to a place of humility, repentance, surrender, and salvation that all may enter into your kingdom.  Break our hearts for the lost and enable us to love one another as you have called us to do.  Please give me the Spirit of wisdom and revelation with power to proclaim your message to all who have ears to hear and eyes to see.  I ask these things in Jesus’ name and to the glory of your name. 

Amen

Final Scripture Thoughts

Tit. 2:11- 14 NIV1984

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

Romans 13:11-14

“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”