The Great Divide
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were
ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Matthew 25:10-12
Read Matthew 25:1-13
All ten virgins became sleepy when the bridegroom tarried, staying away
longer than they expected. It is wrong when, not only the unconverted, but
also God’s people fall asleep in church. The Lord Jesus, the heavenly Bridegroom,
calls His Church to pray continually and to diligently prepare for His
return to the earth. When this does not happen we will be unable to distinguish
between the converted and the unconverted in the church. This is
deplorable and yet it happens!
However, the moment the Lord returns, the great divide will take place. The
wise in the parable had oil with them, so their lamps remained burning. The
foolish, however, saw that their lamps had gone out, but they did not have
any oil with them. That is what made the eternal difference between these
virgins. When the foolish virgins finally arrived at the guest chamber, they
found that the door had been shut, and it could not be opened.
I hope you understand the meaning of a shut door. When does a person
come to the Lord and find the door shut? This happens when you do not
have grace, you are still an unbeliever, but the final day of judgment has
come. The oil and light mentioned in the parable point to a true faith which
is characterized by love. Or, to put it in another way, they reveal the only
comfort in life and death. Try to recall the answer to this question which
you once learned by heart in catechism class: What is thy only comfort in life
and death? However, do not be satisfied until you experience the testimony
of this truth in your own heart.
Thought: What dangers do we face in the church today? What conduct
should we expect from the wise today? How can we distinguish a Christian
from a hypocrite?
Psalter 91: 4,5 (based on Psalm 34)
By evil are the evil slain, The hope of sinful men is vain;
The wicked, who the righteous hate, Their condemnation shall be great.
The Lord redemption will provide For all who in His grace confide;
From condemnation they are clear Who trust in Him with holy fear.
