Be Expectant
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. (Matthew 25:1-4)
You and I should be living just like Jesus says, “Be expectant.” He uses a great story in Matthew 25 with the parable of the ten virgins. In the story, five of the ten virgins had oil in their lamps, and five didn’t. They were waiting for the bridegroom to come. This is a picture of how weddings used to happen. These ten virgins were waiting with the bride. In those days in Israel, the bride didn't come down the aisle; the groom did. It was just the opposite of today. The bride was waiting for the bridegroom and his party to come; and they were to be waiting expectantly.
Oil in the lamps is a description of the Holy Spirit. Anytime the word “oil” is used, especially in the New Testament, it is symbolic of the presence of the Holy Spirit. You have this wedding party of ten; half of them had oil in their lamps and half of them did not. Those who had oil in their lamps were waiting expectantly for the bridegroom to come. Those virgins went in with the bridegroom party to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Those who didn't have oil were left behind.
Numerous pastors believe this is a description of many church members. Half of them are fully committed to Christ. Half of them are not committed to Jesus Christ. Just because your name is shown on the church roll doesn't mean your name is listed in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Following Jesus is about so much more than going to church or checking off your Christian to-do list. It’s about surrendering all to Him and waiting expectantly for Him to return so that we can spend eternity in His presence. Are you expectant for Jesus to come back?
You and I should be living just like Jesus says, “Be expectant.” He uses a great story in Matthew 25 with the parable of the ten virgins. In the story, five of the ten virgins had oil in their lamps, and five didn’t. They were waiting for the bridegroom to come. This is a picture of how weddings used to happen. These ten virgins were waiting with the bride. In those days in Israel, the bride didn't come down the aisle; the groom did. It was just the opposite of today. The bride was waiting for the bridegroom and his party to come; and they were to be waiting expectantly.
Oil in the lamps is a description of the Holy Spirit. Anytime the word “oil” is used, especially in the New Testament, it is symbolic of the presence of the Holy Spirit. You have this wedding party of ten; half of them had oil in their lamps and half of them did not. Those who had oil in their lamps were waiting expectantly for the bridegroom to come. Those virgins went in with the bridegroom party to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Those who didn't have oil were left behind.
Numerous pastors believe this is a description of many church members. Half of them are fully committed to Christ. Half of them are not committed to Jesus Christ. Just because your name is shown on the church roll doesn't mean your name is listed in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Following Jesus is about so much more than going to church or checking off your Christian to-do list. It’s about surrendering all to Him and waiting expectantly for Him to return so that we can spend eternity in His presence. Are you expectant for Jesus to come back?
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2 Comments
Great passage that addresses the Kingdom of Heaven and the Millennial Reign of Christ on the amEarth.
There was a time when I was a carnal Christian. Then I realized that I wasn't born again. So I gave my all to Jesus and am now waiting expectantly.