But the Jewish wedding was much different; it was the groom that was the center of attention. After claiming His bride to be; the groom would return to his father's house to prepare. In the meantime, the bride to be would prepare her gown and her trousseau.
The wedding could happen at any time; the uncertainty was considered a part of the excitement of the wedding. But the important thing for the wedding party was always to be ready. They never knew when the groom would arrive.
So goes the story of the ten virgins in Matthew 25. At first, they were all excited about the possibility of the soon return of the bridegroom. But as time went on, their excitement abated; they no longer felt the urgency about his return. They all slumbered and slept.
It used to be that people talked expectantly about the soon return of the Lord; there was excitement and anticipation. The apostles and the early church expected the Lord to return soon. They anticipated His coming, not as something that might happen but with certainty.
Two thousand years have come and gone, and the Lord hasn't returned, and many Christians have lost the sense of urgency! Urgency has turned into disappointment and disillusionment, which has given way to doubt and indifference! "Where is the promise of His coming?"
How many Sundays will people sit in church and yawn through the services? How many times will they have to hear the message of the Coming of the Lord? Yet their response has been there is no hurry!
But there will come a time when there will be no time; time will be no more. He hasn't come yet but one day He will come!
Hebrews 10:37
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
But we don't think that He is coming today or this week, or this month or even this year!
When we don't think the Lord is coming any time soon, we put off making preparations. We become like the evil servant who said in his heart, 'my lord delayeth his coming' and began to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of.
Amos 6:3 Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near;
Jesus warned about having such an indifferent attitude with graphic and memorable pictures:
- Noah's Day
- Lot's Day
- Goodman of the house sleeping when the thief breaks in
- Careless servant carousing with friends when his master returns
- Ten virgins who slumbered and slept
The warnings are endless! Be ready and be prepared! No man knows the day or the hour...
"While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept"
We are living in the last days; it is a Laodicean church age of apathy and indifference. It is a day when we are spiritually sleepy and lethargic!
The five foolish virgins failed to prepare for the bridegroom.
There are so many today that have good intentions, but they are not prepared for the bridegroom.
We have no guarantees of tomorrow! All we have for sure is right now! Everything beyond right now is uncertain!
The bridegroom could arrive any minute.
The foolish didn't have enough oil. Lamps of that day were made of clay, the wick fed through the cover of the lamp and it was impossible to tell if there was oil in the lamp by just looking at it. Only the owner of the lamp knew how much oil they had. Only you know how much oil is in your lamp.
While they were sleeping, the cry went forth, "Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him".
They all arose and trimmed their wicks and got ready to light their lamps.
There are many people that just think they are ready. They have a form of godliness without any power! They are only empty vessels of profession.
George Barna said, "A large percentage of people who come to church every Sunday, sit on the pews, sing the songs, give in the offerings, and serve on church boards...have never had a transformational encounter with Christ."
They have never been born again! Their lamps are an empty profession.
What folly it is to put off coming to Christ!
Jesus said, "What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"
What could it be that is so great, so important and so wonderful that would cause an individual to risk spending eternity in hell?
Too late will be the reply for many who procrastinated!
- Pharaoh committed sin and his heart was hardened until it was too late.
- King Saul sinned and became hardened until it was too late.
- Judas tried to reopen the door of mercy by going to those to whom he had betrayed the Lord to and returning the money, but the door was closed, and it was too late!
- The rich man in hell lifted up his eyes and sought to reopen the door of opportunity but it was too late.
- The five foolish virgins came after the door was closed and found it was too late.
We never know when the door of grace is going to close!
Proverbs 29:1
1 He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
Don't wait too late!
Are you ready for the wedding?
We just might have a June Wedding!