The Second Coming of Christ - Are You Ready?
Matthew 25:1-13: "Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
Jesus continually told his listeners to "be ready." The entirety of Matthew chapter 24 contains prophetic warnings from the lips of Jesus. He foretold the judgement of the nation of Israel for the rejection of their Messiah. He told about the coming destruction of the temple, his second coming, and the importance of staying focused and faithful to the Lord.
To further illustrate the need to be awake and to be ready, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins. To understand the parable, it is important to remember how different marriage looked in Jesus' day than it does today. Typically, fathers arranged the marriages for their children, and these arrangements were made when the children were quite young. Once they were of age, the bride and the groom would enter the time of betrothal. During this time, they were considered man and wife though they did not live together yet. In fact, they may not have even met each other. In anticipation of the marriage, the husband would build a house for his wife. Once the father approved of the home, the friend of the bridegroom would announce to the bride and her maids that her husband was coming. Now, the husband could come in a few days, a week, or two weeks. There was not a specific time given. The bride and her attendants needed to be ready whenever he came. Once he arrived, the marriage would take place. Guests would arrive and anyone who was not at the wedding when it began was not allowed to enter the ceremony. The doors were shut and locked, and there were no exceptions.
Just as the bride and her attendants must be ready for the coming of the bridegroom, so must the disciples and the followers of Jesus be ready for the second coming of the Messiah. Oil for the lamp was essential in those days. One could not be out at dark without a lamp. The virgins who did not have an adequate supply of oil had to run out to try and purchase oil, though I would not expect there were many vendors open at midnight. Because they were late to the wedding, they were excluded from the celebration.
Jesus wanted his followers to understand that they must be ready for his return. No one expected the bridegroom to come at midnight, so they had fallen asleep. Jesus will also come at an unexpected time. The emphasis is to be ready, stay ready, and keep on guard so that when he comes, you may enter his feast. Doors will be shut and locked.
Jesus will come again. Are you ready? To enter his kingdom is simple: confess that you have fallen short of the glory of God and ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. When you place your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are forgiven and ready for his return.
Reflection:
Are you ready for the second coming of Christ? Are you helping others to get ready?
Jesus continually told his listeners to "be ready." The entirety of Matthew chapter 24 contains prophetic warnings from the lips of Jesus. He foretold the judgement of the nation of Israel for the rejection of their Messiah. He told about the coming destruction of the temple, his second coming, and the importance of staying focused and faithful to the Lord.
To further illustrate the need to be awake and to be ready, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins. To understand the parable, it is important to remember how different marriage looked in Jesus' day than it does today. Typically, fathers arranged the marriages for their children, and these arrangements were made when the children were quite young. Once they were of age, the bride and the groom would enter the time of betrothal. During this time, they were considered man and wife though they did not live together yet. In fact, they may not have even met each other. In anticipation of the marriage, the husband would build a house for his wife. Once the father approved of the home, the friend of the bridegroom would announce to the bride and her maids that her husband was coming. Now, the husband could come in a few days, a week, or two weeks. There was not a specific time given. The bride and her attendants needed to be ready whenever he came. Once he arrived, the marriage would take place. Guests would arrive and anyone who was not at the wedding when it began was not allowed to enter the ceremony. The doors were shut and locked, and there were no exceptions.
Just as the bride and her attendants must be ready for the coming of the bridegroom, so must the disciples and the followers of Jesus be ready for the second coming of the Messiah. Oil for the lamp was essential in those days. One could not be out at dark without a lamp. The virgins who did not have an adequate supply of oil had to run out to try and purchase oil, though I would not expect there were many vendors open at midnight. Because they were late to the wedding, they were excluded from the celebration.
Jesus wanted his followers to understand that they must be ready for his return. No one expected the bridegroom to come at midnight, so they had fallen asleep. Jesus will also come at an unexpected time. The emphasis is to be ready, stay ready, and keep on guard so that when he comes, you may enter his feast. Doors will be shut and locked.
Jesus will come again. Are you ready? To enter his kingdom is simple: confess that you have fallen short of the glory of God and ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins. When you place your faith in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are forgiven and ready for his return.
Reflection:
Are you ready for the second coming of Christ? Are you helping others to get ready?
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