Are You Ready?

Are we prepared for Christ’s Coming? Let’s learn how in the Parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-13.

Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. (Matthew 25:1-2 NKJV)

At that time, a bridegroom prepared a home for his bride. When finished, the groom came for his bride, often at midnight. The bridesmaids lit the procession with their lamps. Christ has prepared to be with the woman He passionately loves, the Church. Are we ready for the Groom to come?

Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (Matthew 25:3-4 NKJV)

Olive oil was used to fuel lamps (Numbers 4:16) and symbolizes the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13). The five foolish virgins had no fuel for their lamp, to be a light of good deeds that give glory to God (Matthew 5:14-16).

But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. (Matthew 25:5 NKJV)

We don’t know when Jesus will come for His church. How long will we put off necessary spiritual preparations for His coming? How long will we persist in unrepentant sins, hoping to repent later?

And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. (Matthew 25:6 NKJV)

A midnight cry is the time when Jesus comes for us. For some, it is the cry of our last breath. For some, it is the cry of Christ’s return. For some, it is the cry of joy at last. For some, it is the sad cry of unprepared souls.

And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ (Matthew 25:8 NKJV)

The heavenly oil sustains our light of good deeds and neighborly love, without burning out (Matthew 5:13-16). This is explained more at the end of Matthew 25. Spiritual burnout is an ever present danger. We need that oil of the Holy Spirit to help us shine in acts of charity, of love of neighbor.

But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ (Matthew 25:9 NKJV)

We need the oil before Jesus returns. When He comes it will be too late. We need the oil of joy (Hebrews 1:9), of healing (James 5:14) of the Holy Spirit (1 Samuel 16:13)? The light of good deeds is sustained by that oil (Matthew 5:13-16).

And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ (Matthew 25:10-12 NKJV)

Some people are locked out of the wedding because God does not know them. They have not spent time getting to know God, buying oil of the Holy Spirit to let their lights shine.

Do we make every effort to know God and allow him to know us? The parable is only an introduction to the question. In context, we need to read to the end of Matthew 25.

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. (Matthew 25:13 NKJV)

Does keeping watch mean being hysterically awake, believing conspiracy theories, watching world events nervously for the end of the world? No, the wise bridesmaids slept. We can be ready even while we rest in Christ. Let’s look at some related verses.

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NKJV)

The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1 NKJV)

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105 NKJV)

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14 NKJV)

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NKJV)

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NKJV)

Do we resist the Holy Spirit? Does God know us, or do we just pray and never obey God? The two imperatives for us here are: having a reserve of spiritual oil and that our Lord knows us. Wise virgins are ready and watchful. He may come for our souls sooner than we think. Let’s be always prepared, so that when Jesus comes for us, we may be found ready. You decide!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.