Divine bible-based truth – Part 2
Let’s continue to explore what Jesus teaches about salvation, for both the living and the dead, at the time of His return.
We are going to look at the parable He gave about the wise and foolish virgins, or bridesmaids. It is important to consider how marriages worked at that time.
The father would choose the bride for his son.
The bride would then prepare to meet her bridegroom and the wedding
The bridegroom would present his bride to the father.
In this parable Jesus is the Bridegroom.
The virgins represent Christians who have been promised to the Bridegroom.
Let’s read this parable Jesus gave as recorded by the Apostle in Matthew 25: 1-13.
1 “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 [a]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 [b]in which the Son of Man is coming.
In this parable Jesus reveals more important teachings about entering into the Kingdom at His return:
The obvious salvation denying deficiency for the foolish virgins is “Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.”
Please consider, if at the time of your wedding, the person you are promised too says: “Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you,” that is not an oil problem or a wick problem, that is a relationship problem.
Typically, an olive oil lamp would burn out right around midnight. Jesus appeared after midnight. At the end of the parable, He says that we should watch because we do not know the day or the hour of His appearing. After midnight is not only a different hour but also, it’s a new day. Since there are 24 different time zones, around midnight for some will be mid-day for others. The actual date for some will be the next day for others.
Can you imagine being engaged to the perfect Man, Jesus Christ, and not be thinking about, talking about, even dreaming about, what your future together will be? Our Bridegroom and His Father need to hear from us. We have some things to learn, some things to acquire, and some changes to make. Please remember, we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. How can this be really happening in a lacking relationship? Furthermore, Jesus has to be convinced that we all can live together with Him and love each other. He gave us the commandment to love each other as much as we love ourselves. Additionally, He commands us to love each other as He has loved us. These commandments of love require self-sacrifice.
The wise virgins knew to bring extra oil for their lamps because, in this time of engagement prior to the wedding, they were in constant communication with their bridegroom to be, and His Father. Consequently, they knew to bring the extra olive oil.
I want to mention that from the Christian community is a program called “Prepare and Enrich”. This is primarily for couples who are engaged to be married. It helps them to learn about each other more, and address and resolve potential issues prior to getting married. It is modeled after the Christian church being enriched and prepared to marry their Bridegroom, Jesus.
While salvation can never be earned or deserved, we are in our time of preparation and enrichment now.
My proposed Divine truth – Just like the virgins in this parable, salvation is promised to us. but salvation is not automatic! We must constantly watch over our relationship with the Lord.
Let’s read what the Apostle John recorded in Revelation 19: 6-9, and Revelation 21: 9-10.
6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the[d] Lord God Omnipotent reigns! 7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”
9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came [f]to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the [g]bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the [h]great city, the [i]holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
In the New Jerusalem we see an image of the bride in a complete and perfect relationship with Jesus.
As recorded in Revelation 22: 17, Jesus wants to extend, through us, a great invitation.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
I look forward to your responses to this video.