February 16, 2005
2. THE ULTIMATE MARRIAGE. The marriage of the Lamb is the highest example of true marriage that will ever exist. It is the result of the mighty love of the Lord for His creation. This marriage is between two beings who are of one Spirit and are filled to capacity with the love of the Lord. Their love for one another is absolute, it dominates their relationship. This is to be a true and most assuredly an everlasting marriage. The pronouncement is to made that, the marriage of the Lamb is come. Yet more wonderful is the blessed truth that the bride has made herself ready. Rev. 19:7 The preparation of a bride for a wedding may take years if not months. This marriage will definitely be over a measure of time and much putting in order. There must be a continual advancement in the preparations that go on. Readiness is indeed a watchword that is vital to the final ceremony.
ARE WE WISE OR FOOLISH? There is no place for a person to ride the fence between the two categories of those who are called to the wedding. It is an either, or, situation. It is a matter of being prepared or not prepared. Jesus, in speaking of the kingdom of heaven, likened it to ten virgins. Being virgins, they were all of one class, pure, clean and righteous in the sight of the Lord. The Apostle Paul had committed the church as a chaste virgin unto Christ. 2 Cor. 11:2 However, five were wise and five were foolish. Mt. 25:2 That creates a great difference between the two groups. Their wisdom was not in the things of this world but in that which was most vital, spiritual preparation for the coming event, of which they were all aware. Wisdom is an essential for every child of the Lord. Consider the contrast between wisdom and folly. Eccl. 2:13
THE TIME OF PREPARATION, IS NOW. This is an event which will take place in the end of the age, prior to the great tribulation. Also, it is not to be confused with the second coming of Christ. It is a ceremony that will precede the coming of Christ. Its consequences will be as a spiritual catalyst which will result in the final events of the ages. It is also noteworthy that they all had their lamps, with the anticipating that the bridegroom would come for them, in the night time. Jesus identified those who were His as the light of the World. Mt. 5:14 They were to fill a void left because He was to leave this world. They would take His place and become a witness and testimony, lights of truth to the world. That place has been filled by each succeeding generation of believers who shine as lights in the world. Phil. 2:15 The difference is defined by a single commodity, oil, oil for their lamps. It shows that they had absolutely no thought for the future. No vision of that which was to come and consequently absolutely no readiness for the must important event of their lives. They knew that oil was unreservedly essential for the continuance of the flame in their lamps. Yet thorough neglect, indifference or even the lazy spiritual attitude of their hearts, they ignored the very thing with which they could not, dare not, be without. The most important essential, oil. Mt. 25:3.