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.
