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Matthew 25:1-13
In Matthew 25:1-13 Jesus gives an example of what it is like to be prepared for the kingdom of heaven upon His return. During this time in history, a Jewish wedding ceremony would last for as long as a week or more with different ceremonies at different places. Jesus teaches that the bridegroom returned after dark and those who were waiting had fallen asleep and their lamps had burned out. As they awoke to the cry of the return of the bridegroom, some were prepared with extra oil for their lamps, but others did not bring extra oil – they were not prepared.
This is an example of what it will be like when the Lord returns to gather those who are prepared into the kingdom of heaven.
The oil in the parable represents God’s Holy Spirit, which cannot be given from one person to another – each one must prepare themselves to be ready for the Lord’s return. Those who have God’s Holy Spirit living within their hearts will be prepared and ready to join Jesus in heaven for eternity and celebrate everlasting life in spirit through their faith in Him as they have confessed their sins to Him and asked His forgiveness proclaiming Him Lord and Savior. Those who have not, will be found crying out when it is too late.
Dear LORD,
We do not know when You will return to call us home with You to our eternal home in heaven with You, but when we die physically that time comes for us individually and we must realize the need to be prepared as we do not know when that will be. Your return is swift as is salvation for us if we will trust in Jesus and profess Him our Savior. Please help us to do so today if we have been waiting, for now is the right time – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.