“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13)
In our communion liturgy we affirm the Lord’s return with the prayer: “Amen! Come Lord Jesus!” In these times of violence and moral chaos perhaps, if you are like me, you are making this prayer with more passion and fervor. The world is in a mess, seems to be on the verge of World War III, terrorism and disrespect for law and order are the rise. What the Word of God calls sin is now glorified and exalted as the norm by the media, academia, and the government. Christians are maligned and persecuted for denying the efficacy of all other religions and gods, for making the bold claim that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
Yet as unpleasant as life is these days, do we really know what we are saying when we pray this petition? Are we ready to instantly give up everything for the eternal Kingdom? Or have the things of the world we hold so dearly made us complacent? Do we think it cannot happen yet, or worse, do we not want it to happen now because we are not ready? Billions of people are not ready for the Lord’s return because they have rejected Jesus and the Word of God in favor of self-made gods. They do not believe in His Second Coming for they deny His first coming.
Jesus’ parable about the 10 virgins serves as a warning against such foolishness. The rulers of the Jews had given up looking for the Messiah. Hence they could not recognize Him even though He was standing in their midst. Jesus likened the complacent ones to the 5 foolish virgins who were unprepared and not ready for the appearing of the bridegroom. The 5 wise virgins, however, had faith which is represented by the light of the torches fueled by that extra oil. That faith made the difference which allowed them entry to the wedding feast. If we have faith in Christ we are prepared for the return of Christ. Those who lack that faith will be barred from the heavenly Kingdom.
And yet, there is still time for them to come to faith. While we believers await Jesus’ return, we are to use those resources, gifts, and talents He has given us to expand the Kingdom of God, to preach the gospel to the lost and to destroy the works of the devil. Our gifts and talents are not given to make us complacent or live a life of ease. They are not to be used for outward displays of piety as was the way of the rulers of the Jews in Jesus’ day. The gifts are given to be used in the trenches on the front lines where we get personally involved with sinners. The Lord has called us to reach out to the poor and downtrodden, all those enslaved by Satan and sin so that they may hear the good news of salvation in Jesus alone before it is too late.