February 18, 2005
4. THE BRIDEGROOM TARRIED. The day, the hour very obviously was not known by the virgins. Their hearts were filed with anticipation for they had heard the call. Their part was to be ready, for the bridegroom was coming, only the hour had not been announced. The bridegroom was well in control of the hour of his arrival. To the virgins the time lapse was long and arduous to bear. Waiting is not a virtue that is possessed by all humanity. There are a number of end time events which seem to be “on hold.” Not to worry, the Lord has established a schedule and is always on time. The marriage of the Lamb will take place as He has predetermined it. Mt. 25:5
THEY ALL SLUMBERED AND SLEPT. Having the two groups among the virgins it would seem reasonable for those who had oil to remain alert and filled with anticipation. But, no, they all slumbered and slept. A drowsiness, a lethargy has crept into the church of today. While they teach and preach end time events, few really feel a concern or consider that we might be closer than we think. Actions speak louder than words. At a most decisive moment of His life. When He prayed in Gethsemane, as Jesus was committing His life to the death of the cross, the disciples who were with Him, fell asleep. Not once but three times. Mt. 26:40,43,45 The exhortation of Paul to the church at Thessalonica is most fitting, even for our day. We have come to the night time of the ages. A desire to sleep is natural to the night hours. But for the church it is a time to “watch and be sober.” 1 Thes. 5:6 Maintain a high measure of spirituality, be watchful, be prepared.
THE MIDNIGHT HOUR. A uniquely strange hour for the bridegroom to put in an appearance, but when we see in the scriptures the actions of the Lord which took place at the midnight hour it is understandable. This hour of the night is a time of serious visitations from the Lord. Judgment upon the first born of Egypt was established to be the midnight hour. It was to be a time when there was a great difference made between those who worshipped the Lord and those who were heathen. The sign of a blood sprinkled door made the difference between life and death. Ex. 11:4 A very close parallel to the marriage is found in the love story of Ruth and Boaz. During the harvest season. Ruth laid herself at the feet of Boaz while he slept in the harvest shelter. At midnight Boaz discovered her at his feet, covered by his robe. Ruth 3:8 The marriage of the Lamb will take place during the last day harvest of the souls of the world. The bride will be at His feet. Covered by His robe of righteousness. Paul and Silas, singing, praying and rejoicing in prison at the midnight hour caused an earthquake at the prison. The end result was that the prison keeper and his family came to know the Lord. He befriended them. Cleansed their wounds. Took them into his house and fed them, all the time rejoicing in his newly found salvation. The Lord has a way of doing things when we least expect them to happen. Acts 16:23-34.