In Matthew chapters 24 and 25 the disciples asked Jesus what the signs of His return would be. In His reply, Jesus gives His followers two parables to describe the two types of believers in the last days. This was a prophetic teaching because it described a time two thousand years in the future. That is worth pausing and pondering in itself in the year 2024.
The two types of Christians that Jesus described were 1) those who related to Jesus as servants to a Master (Matthew 24:45-51) and 2) those who related to Him as a bride to a Bridegroom (Matthew 25: 1-13).
How do you relate to Jesus, as a servant or a bridesmaid?
I relate to Jesus as a wise maiden described in Matthew 25, those who took olive oil in their lamps rather than being foolish and ill-prepared.
I like the way The Passion Translation phrases verses 5 and 6. “When the bridegroom didn’t come when they expected, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep. Then suddenly, in the middle of the night, they were awakened by the shout ‘Get up! The bridegroom is here! Come out and have an encounter with him!'” This is not simply ‘meet him’, but rather a rare Greek noun meaning ‘have a meeting’ or ‘an encounter’.
So all ten girls got up and trimmed their lamps, but the five foolish ones ran out of oil. You know the rest of the story. The Bridegroom appears while the foolish five are out buying oil. He lets the five wise maidens into the wedding feast, locks the door, and refuses entry to the foolish five when they return.
What is our Takeway? How Do We Prepare for the Return of Christ?
- Matthew 24:44- So always be ready, alert, and prepared, because at an hour when you’re not expecting Him, the Son of Man will come.
- Have oil in your lamp
My friend Sharon Purser-Castleberry taught an insightful message on this topic recently. I have the link here for your review https://youtu.be/Rb89a4nki7Q?si=8f49bcTW5duUciqe
How can we be ready, alert, and prepared? Sharon reminds us that we do so not in our doing so much as in our being … meaning being intimate with Christ, acting like someone in love with Jesus versus acting like a servant or waiter. The distinction between the two individuals Jesus spoke about were how they saw themselves. The bridesmaid or bridal identity focuses on spending quiet time alone with Jesus, worshipping Him using words of adoration and telling Him how much she loves Him.
The servant mentality focuses on doing things for God to help them earn a place in heaven. This doesn’t mean the bridal identity is not involved in ministry to others, but rather that her works flow from her identity as His beloved. Her focus on Him as her priority causes her works to flow from a heart of love, not a heart set on performance or perfection.
“Intimacy with Jesus is the priority thing we must do, not the only thing but the most important of our daily activities.” — Sharon Purser Castleberry
Secondly, being ready, alert, and prepared means that we act like we believe Jesus’ return is imminent. We refuse the lie “that we have plenty of time.” We no longer procrastinate in spiritual disciplines like Bible reading, prayer, and quiet time alone with Jesus. “You’re my place of quiet retreat, and your wraparound presence becomes my shield as I wrap myself in Your Word” says Psalm 119:114 TPT.
How Do We Live with Oil in Our Lamp?
Firstly, what does the lamp mentioned throughout the Bible, particularly Matthew chapter 25 mean? A lamp refers to the believer’s heart. The Bible tells us that God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light to our path, like a flashlight in the darkness showing us where to step in a dark world. Illuminating our way, Scripture provides insight, wisdom, and guidance to our choices and decisions.
“The spirit God breathed into man is like a living lamp, a shining light searching into the innermost chambers of our being,” Proverbs 20:27 TPT.
What is the Oil and How do we get our hearts full of it?
The oil is the presence of the Holy Spirit within us. The five wise maiden’s lamps (spirits) were full of oil (the presence of God) because they made intimacy with Jesus their priority. They scheduled private quiet time with God daily as an intentional beginning to their full lives. The oil represented the spiritual strength they carried from their time in God’s presence. It is the peace they carried, the godly wisdom and grace to endure difficult, trying situations.
Their oil not only guided their decisions but enabled them to discern good from evil. In the dark days we find ourselves, we need the discernment of the Holy Spirit more than ever! Oil represents a mentality of Christ IN YOU, the hope of glory. We are glory carriers, vessels of light to a confused, misguided world.
Pray this prayer with me: “Jesus, fill me today with the oil of the Holy Spirit and refresh my oil supply. I love you, Jesus. I long for Your return to earth as majestic King, beautiful Savior, and restorer of all. Holy Spirit I appreciate your presence in my heart for you enable me to feel close to Jesus. You are the gift that Jesus left us to help us on earth until He comes back. Let Jesus arise within me today. Let Holy Spirit arise within me today. Rest in me, holy dove. Let me be your resting place, Lord.”
Categories: Bible Study Bride of Christ Eschatology God's Word Intimacy with God
Kathryne
Christian author and truth teller whose words make darkness tremble. Author of two non-fiction books at https://www.instagram.com/tattooedking_book/
Kathryne Leach 
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