“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, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

” ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’

“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

I am not a theologian, but there is one thing that I can say without a doubt about this passage — being properly prepared for a task at hand is essential. In this case, being prepared for the Lord’s imminent return is the most important thing you can do in this life.

The lamp represents God’s word (light) and God’s Spirit (oil) while the virgins are professed believers and the bridgegroom is Jesus Christ. Those who love the Lord will make certain that they are ready for His return, by reading their Bibles, praying, and watching (observing and understanding the events of this day as they unfold).

You cannot truly call yourself a Christian if you do not have communion with the One who made you — My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27). Listening comes from reading God’s word and by allowing Him to speak to you through a particular passage. Sure, God can also speak to your heart throughout the day, but you must test that spirit by making sure what you hearing lines up with the word of God and is from God.

Most definitely, there are Christians in this world who have little to no access to the written word. Here in the US, we do have the word therefore, “…to whom much is given, from him much will be required…” (Luke 12:48)

How often should we read God’s word? More often than not! Of course, anyone can read the Bible, but only God can illuminate the text for clear understanding. Regular, consistent reading is a must — a chapter a day is a good place to begin.

I’m sharing this with everyone who has a heart for God and who wants to be prepared for what lies ahead. It doesn’t take much to realize that the world is in precarious shape and the church is collapsing under the assault.

We don’t have to be overwhelmed by the tide of evil now being lifted up before us. In fact, God will deliver us. Our duty is to stay in His will and we can only know His will by keeping our lamps trimmed and burning.

Don’t be like the five foolish virgins who realized after the fact that they needed to get prepared to meet the bridgegroom. In tht day many will say, “Lord, Lord” but He’ll say to them, “I never knew you.”

And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (KJV)

I’ve witnessed many supposed movements of God over the years, having committed my life to the Lord toward the end of the “Jesus Movement” in 1977. Back then, young Christians used to carry their Bibles everywhere and weren’t afraid to share their faith; few were hung up on doctrinal differences.

As with any true movement of the Lord, the people renewed by it will grow and move on and God will do something else to reach His lost sheep of that day. I believe that the Jesus Movement was for the lost and discarded youth of the 1960s and 1970s, a time when young people were questioning and rejecting much of what they had been taught.

20 years ago, the church was abuzz as some believers insisted that the Lord’s return was to take place with one book, 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Could Be in 1988, offering evidence of the Lord’s soon return. When nothing happened, the author wrote a new book – The Final Shout–Rapture Report 1989 — which was subsequently updated in 1990, 1991, and beyond.

Jesus’ disciples were elated that their risen King was with them for 40 days after His resurrection, but that time with Him soon passed on. Jesus reassured His followers that He would return for them, with many thinking that His return would occur while they were still alive.

For nearly two thousand years, the Church of Jesus Christ has been waiting for His return with most believers realizing that He could come at any moment. I have my thoughts when His return could happen, but I have changed my mind several times over the years. Instead of being date obsessed, I find that it is much more profitable to do His work and leave the time of His return in His hands.

I would rather be caught up working for the Lord then sitting around speculating when He will return. There is no profit in endless date setting especially when Our Lord has commanded us to do otherwise.