Prepared…

 Prepared….

I was recently sent a small earthen jar and lamp, a depiction of the lamps used in the New Testament reading of the ten virgins…

A reminder to be prepared…the bridegroom may come at any moment…

With world events as they are, famines, wars, earthquakes, disruptions of various kinds throughout the world….we wonder and watch for Jesus’ return….wanting it to happen soon to release many from the pain of watching and waiting….in real or instant news, we can see the pain and suffering of millions….we wait patiently and impatiently, hoping…

But, I have to ask myself, am I prepared?   Is my lamp trimmed, have I secured enough oil…do I shine in the darkness, do I yearn for the arrival of the bridegroom, Jesus…is my heart prepared, cleansed, to greet Him with exaltation…or am I selfishly awaiting Him to get out of the present circumstances…have I foolishly let my lamp go out…do I reflect Him or represent myself…

Will the words, “good and faithful servant” be said or “I never knew you” be repeated?

Preparation…is key …we can’t go back…there are no redo’s…

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16-17 

“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 ones, 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. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ 

12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ 

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

Matthew 25:1-13

35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 

37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. 

38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. 

40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Luke 12:35-38,40

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

1 Peter 3:15

https://sermonwriter.com/biblical-commentary/new-testament-matthew-251-13/

https://bible.org/seriespage/26-ten-virgins-what-it-means-be-ready-matthew-251-13

https://redeeminggod.com/sermons/matthew/matt_25_1-13/#:~:text=Matthew%2025%3A1-13%20is%20the%20parable%20of%20the%20Ten,introducing%20us%20to%20ten%20virgins%20in%20Matthew%2025%3A1.

And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Revelation 22:5