February 21, 2005
5.HERE’S THE BRIDEGROOM. The word “cometh” is a word supplied by the translators. It was not in the original language. There is something about the translation of the NIV that well fits the excitement of the moment. He is not a long way off, but as the cry indicates, here He is. No more waiting, no more slumbering and sleeping. This is the moment. He has come to claim His bride. What a shocking surprise, to awaken from sleep with the bridegroom already approaching. They are quickly urged to go out to meet him. Only a romantic could feel the intensity of this all important meeting. The excitement of a life time. The ecstasy of meeting the bridegroom face to face. The anticipation, the thrill and joy of looking forward to a life together.
THE VIRGINS AROSE. All ten feeling the thrill of the wedding ceremony. Their lamps are now being trimmed to maintain their brightness and shinning. No doubt, some last minute primping has gone on. When suddenly tragedy strikes. Five lamps begin to flicker and die. Five suddenly find themselves unable to proceed to meet the bridegroom. There is no opportunity to borrow from the five wise for they have brought only sufficient for themselves. The five foolish are forced to go out and seek oil for their now, dim and dying lights. While they were yet searching for someone who would sell them oil, the bridegroom arrived. The five wise were ushered, joyously into the banquet hall for the glorious wedding feast. Mt. 25:7-10 “AND THE DOOR WAS SHUT.” Those on the outside where excluded, permanently, from all the festivities of the hour and shut off from the wedding. There is something so final about the door being closed. It involved even a further separation.
CATASTROPHE. When the five foolish arrived they came up against that “shut door.” Their cries of Lord, Lord [Kurios, Kurios, meaning, from Mr. to supreme in authority.] A plea using words which are not unfamiliar. Jesus used them in relationship to a group of people who will also find themselves excluded, even from heaven itself. They were religiously active and accepted by their contemporaries, but not by the Lord. He will give them the same answer that is given to the foolish virgins. “I never knew you.” Mt. 7:21-23 Their main problem was a lack of obedience to the will of the Lord. The foolish virgins were heard and responded to, but certainly not with the words that they had hoped to hear. They were closed off from the ceremonies and now they are rejected. Mt. 25:12 They are left to face consequences which are of the very worst kind. They are the remnant of the Bride/Church. While the bride is taken by the Lord into a place of safety and security for the length of the tribulation period. Rev. 12:6 The remnant will face the initial onslaught of the dragon, the devil, as the reign of the antichrist begins here on earth. They will know a conflict such as has never been on the face of the earth and will give their life as a martyr. Rev. 12:17.