Which Virgin?

Which virgin are you?

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.  
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.  The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.  
The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.  
The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 
“ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 
“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’ 
“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ 
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” 
                                                                                    Matthew 25:1-13
Which Virgin are you?
I teach the adult midweek Bible Study group at our church. One of the things people keep asking me and our pastor is. “Why don’t we study prophesy more?”
We make it clear that we believe we are following the direction God wants us to go with respect to teaching. We will over time study the whole Bible that includes the prophetic books.
You see we know the people who are asking the question. What they are asking us without saying it is, “we want to try to figure out the time Christ will return.”
After all who wouldn’t want to know the date of Christ’s return. I believe Christians since the time of Christ’s ascension into heaven into heaven have wanted to know that.
When the topic does comes up I think almost everyone is quoting some evangelist, televangelist, or website and stating what this or that person is saying.
The bottom line however is its only speculation. Since the day the church began well meaning men and women have been speculating on when Christ will return. No one’s been right yet.
I believe the job of the church is to make disciples of all nations. To evangelize so that all people will be given a chance to enter the kingdom of heaven. AND, we need to teach both the new converts, and everyone else in the church the word of God.
In order to do this we need to study and preach the word of God in as pure a form as is humanly possible. That is the purpose of our Bible study.
The scripture I quoted above tells us be ready for the return of Christ. We do this by studying the scriptures. By evangelizing and by worshipping and praising God both on Sunday and during the week.
Accepting Christ and worshipping Him is the oil in the lamp. It is the basics necessary to being invited to the Marriage supper of the lamb if you will.
Studying understanding the scriptures and doing all God commanded us to do is the extra oil for the lamp if you will.
As we study the word of God and approach the thrown of grace in prayer I believe the Holy Spirit will show us signs that are coming true.
The foolish virgins to me are those who do not study the word of God. Who do not pray or evangelise. Who attend church services because it’s “ the thing to do on Sunday”.
Men and women who know what to say and when to say it in church but are not committed to serving the Lord to the fullest.
One day the Bride Groom will return will you be ready for Him.
Please think about it.