Bullets From The Bible 11/26/17

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Matthew 25:1-13 says, “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
[2] “Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
[3] “Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,
[4] “but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
[5] “But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
[6] “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’
[7] “Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.
[8] “And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
[9] “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.’
[10] “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.
[11] “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’
[12] “But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
[13] “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

In the first century weddings were quite different than they are now. It was customary for the virgins to wait for the bridegroom after the ceremony and accompany them to the feast. As this often took place at night they would bring their lamps and oil for light. The time of the bridegroom coming was uncertain as they did not know for sure how long the ceremony would last.

In this situation...there were five who brought oil and five that did not. When the bridegroom finally came the five without oil were unprepared and were left out of the feast.

Consider some points about this story.

The virgins knew the bridegroom was coming. They did not know for certain the time...but they knew he was coming. Just as we know Jesus is coming but don’t know that exact time.
The virgins knew how to prepare. It was no secret that they would need oil for their lamps. We know how to prepare for the coming of Christ. He has told us all that we need to do in order to be ready for His coming.
The preparation of the wise virgins could not prepare the foolish virgins. The foolish virgins had to prepare themselves. Our parents, our friends, our spouse, our children, or our preacher cannot prepare for us. We must prepare for ourselves.
At the coming of the bridegroom the doors were sealed. The unprepared did not get in even though they went later for oil. When Christ comes all will be sealed. Either we will be prepared or we won’t. There will be no more second chances, last minute changes, or running to get oil. Our soul’s fate will be sealed for eternity.

This life is our second chance. The sacrifice of the savior is our second chance. Are you prepared for the coming of the Lord?