FIVE OF THE TEN VIRGINS GOT IT

Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear are watching the stage being set for the end of time.  This time was planned since the beginning of time and is fully under the authority and control of God Almighty, who Himself is the Alpha and Omega.  Know and believing that Truth will cause those who have put their trust in Him to not panic or fear the things to come, but to faithfully watch and wait as these things unfold.  It is what God’s people have done down through time; watch and wait.

It wasn’t the circumstances and conditions of the physical world that they were focused on; wars, famine, persecution, the poor.  Their focus was in the Spiritual realm, on God’s Word that was to come, did come, and will come again.  This is what Mary, the mother of Jesus treasured and pondered in her heart, before and after she was chosen of God to birth this Messiah of the world.  This is what Simeon was holding onto in the temple as he waited for the consolation of Israel and in his last days actually held this Messiah in his arms and blessed him.  This is what kept Anna in the temple fasting and praying, thankful to have been able to look upon this infant who was the Messiah come in the flesh.  They knew this was the work of God promised since the beginning of time; they did not panic and fear, but thanked and blessed God for His faithfulness.  They prepared themselves by knowing who they were waiting for and believing when they saw him, even as an infant.

Jesus told his disciples the signs that would come before the end of time.  He did not tell them the exact day or time, but rather admonished them to stay awake, be ready, and do the work that a master would expect from his servant in his absence.

There has been contention among Christians about what that work is.  There are the social action people who like Judas would show concern over anointing Jesus with expensive oil while there were so many hungry and poor people in the world, or like Martha who took offense at her sister for sitting and listening rather than practically helping her prepare and serve those in their home.  There are the more contemplative people who like Simeon and Anna need to devote themselves, their time, and their energy to fasting, praying and worshipping in the temple day and night.  There are the religious people who like the good and true Pharisees feel they need to keep the Law perfectly and strive to be holy and live holy lives.  All of them speak truth.  But all of these things they focus on are merely the fruit of the one true work of God that Jesus proclaims.  “When his disciples asked him, ‘What must we do to be doing the works of God?”, Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom He has sent” (John 6:28,29).

Five of the ten virgins got it.  They were ready with lamps and oil in hand and were let in to the marriage feast.  The five who had lamps but no oil to trim them with were not allowed in; the door was shut.  “Afterward the other virgins came along saying, ‘Truly Lord, Lord open to us.’ But he answered, “Truly, I say to you, I DO NOT KNOW YOU” (Matthew 25:11-13).

Let those who have eyes see and those who have ears hear.