Be Ready!
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Matthew 25:13
Read Matthew 25:1-13
We would like to examine the parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins in the final three meditations in July. Maybe someone thinks: Would it not be better to begin with verse 1 of this parable? Why start with the final verse? A seminary professor once advised his students to start with the final verse of a parable first so that they would not miss the real meaning and purpose of it. That is where the conclusion and key to the whole parable can often be found.
Parables often seem easy to understand, but not easy to apply to the time and circumstances in which we live today. In the first place, we need the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit; however, sometimes wise advice can also give us better insights into God’s Word.
In the parable of the wise and foolish virgins the Lord calls us to be watchful and alert. Why? Because we do not know the exact moment when the Lord will return from heaven, at which time we all must appear before His judgment throne. Even if the Lord does not return during our lifetime, at our death we will still be faced with the same prospect. When we die, we must meet God. That means we will have to give an account of our life. That is why the call of God comes to you through His Word: Be watchful!
Thought: Is there evidence in the Bible that the Lord’s return upon the clouds of heaven is eminent? Are you able to daily pray for His return?
Psalter 9: 1,2 (based on Psalm 5) O Jehovah, hear my words, To my thoughts attentive be; Hear my cry, my King, my God, I will make my prayer to Thee. With the morning light, O Lord, Thou shalt hear my voice arise, And expectant I will bring Prayer as morning sacrifice. Thou, Jehovah, art a God, Who delights not in sin; Evil shall not dwell with Thee, Nor the proud Thy favor win. Evil-doers’ Thou dost hate, Lying tongues Thou wilt defeat; God abhors the man who loves Violence and base deceit.
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