AT EASE IN ZION - THE TEN VIRGINS

Vs 1 of Matthew 25 starts with the word “then” – in the preceding chapter of Matthew 24, the disciples had asked Jesus what would be the signs of his coming and the end of the world.  

Jesus proceeded to issue warnings of what would come and what signs to look for leading up to His return.

Jesus continues to talk about the coming Kingdom of Heaven in Matthew 25…

Then shall the Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps and went forth to meet the Bridegroom.

** These virgins knew that the Bridegroom was to make his appearance at some point. He’d said he would be coming.  And they’d heard it preached for many years. 

Their duty was to go out to keep watch, waiting for his appearing.  Their lamps were to be lit, burning brightly so as to light the path for the Bridegroom.  So, they went out to wait….

And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

**Notice the distinction here – they were all virgins waiting for the Bridegroom to appear. These virgins represent each of us waiting for the return of Jesus Christ.  They all had a lamp with oil in it which was burning brightly (or somewhat) at that time representing the Holy Ghost.

The wise brought not only their lamp already filled with oil and was lit to light the way, but they also brought another vessel with extra oil….they were prepared for the ‘just in case.’    

I believe the wise virgins were keeping not only the supply of the Holy Ghost that they had but they kept praying and kept that supply of the Holy Ghost flowing within like a river that never ran dry.

While the foolish brought only their lamp with the oil that was already within.  It may have been full at that point and burning brightly. But they weren’t prepared for the Bridegroom/the Lord to delay His coming. They prayed but didn’t maintain a consistent daily meaningful prayer life. 

The cares of life, worries, strife, or perhaps the pursuit of worldly things choked out their prayer time. 

It was easier to play than to pray.  It was easier to sit and watch movies and surf the internet for hours than to pick up the Word of God and feast on it. 

Little by little, sin crept into their heart slowly diminishing the oil they had stored in their lamp.  Little by little, their lamp was growing dim and they were unaware.

Amos 6:1 - Woe to them that are at ease in Zion… (ease – H7600 = secure; in a bad sense, haughty)

I’m sure in their heart they thought they’d be fine.  I’m sure they thought it wouldn’t be long and the oil they had would be sufficient. But then….

While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 - But ye brethren, be not weary in well doing.

Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Now is not the time to grow weary!  We’ve got to stay fervent in prayer and keep watching for Jesus’ return!  We need to keep issuing the warning for others that “Jesus is coming soon!  Be ready!” Because….

And at midnight (when they least expected it) there was a cry made, Behold the Bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet Him.

Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

They thought they’d be ok.  They didn’t keep their prayer life up like it should have been, like it used to be.  They occasionally prayed or perhaps were not sincerely praying when they did.  Their prayer time was more-so out of duty and formality than in building a relationship with the Lover of our souls.

But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

The pastor’s prayers or Holy Ghost won’t get you into heaven.  Brother or Sister so-and-so’s prayers and Holy Ghost won’t get you in to heaven.  Relying on yesterday’s prayer meeting is not enough! You have got to get it for yourself! You have to do the praying yourself!  And you’ve got to stay prayed up and full of the Holy Ghost!

And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Afterward, came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

But He answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the house wherein the Son of man cometh.

This parable is a warning to us all…

Those virgins were ALL supposed to be part of the wedding celebration. But half were left behind when Jesus came back.  Why?  Because they let their oil run out.  They grew lukewarm then cold in their prayer life and in their spirit yet were unaware until it was too late.

You would think being lukewarm was ok and better than being cold in our spirit but Rev 3:15 warns…

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

If we’re lukewarm in our spirit, God said He will spit us out.
We need to stay prayed up, full of the Holy Ghost and on fire for God.

 

THE DEVIL IS TRYING TO WEAR SOME OF US DOWN AND WEAR US OUT

Rev 12:12 – Woe unto the inhabiters of the earth and sea! For the devil is come down unto you having great wrath, because he knoweth he hath but a short time.

Rev 12:13-17 warns us….

When he saw that he was cast into the earth, he persecuted Israel which brought forth Jesus Christ.  When he saw he wasn’t winning there, then he went after the remnant of her seed.

The remnant of her seed are those which keep the commandments of God AND have the testimony of Jesus Christ…..that’s the Church!  That’s you and me.

Daniel 7:25 – “he shall wear out the saints of the Most High.”

This Scripture is referring to the antichrist but the antichrist spirit is here and has been for quite a while.  We know the devil is behind it all. (1 John 2:18,22 + 1 John 4:3 + 2 John 1:7)

The devil is trying to wear us out!

His tactics will differ depending on each person – he knows what is affective and works to distract or wear down one may not distract or bother another.

I could list things but you pray about it and ask God to reveal it to you.

God showed me the devil is going after some of you hard because he is trying to kill what God wants to do through you and for some, what was prophesied over you.  If he can distract you, if he can get to you, if he can wear you down, he can get those that God wants to reach through you. 

Guard your heart!  Guard your mind!     

Be aware, be wise to his tactics and devices that he is using against you!

 

Luke 17:26-30

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all.

Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

 

People were so busy they were not aware of the hour.   We do have to continue to live life, have fun, build memories with the family – But some are so busy having fun they are not keeping their focus on eternity, on putting Jesus first, and on reaching the lost. They are at ease in Zion.

 

Mark 13:32-37

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man…

Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch!

 

Watch!  Pray more than you every have!  Don’t slumber or sleep like the foolish virgins did. Stay awake and alert spiritually because the devil knows he has but a short time and he is working overtime to keep as many as he can from making it to heaven.