Among the many commands of Jesus there is one that is particularly ignored by His Church, that of watching over and now we are left with calls to watch over the spiritual events that take place in our time.
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Those in which we live are the last times and, as the Scripture says, are difficult times, not only for the political, social and economic reasons that afflict society, not only for the moral degradation and for the continuous attacks that the enemy. Damage to the family, to children and young people.
The great risk is that today the Church, instead of looking and having the eyes of the spirit open, falls asleep. Also in this sense to be able to put into practice what the Lord wants from us, we need revelation, since it is not enough for us to know mentally that we are in recent times and that his return is approaching.
Even the leadership of the church runs the risk of falling asleep. Since Jesus is slow to return, some may think that, considering all things, they can do it without obeying them and that it is more opportune to do it their way, even if they treat their brothers badly and conform to the rules of the world.
Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For the foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
Matthew 25: 1-5
In these verses, Jesus prophetically predicts what the Church of the end times will be like, in fact, it refers to the time that precedes his coming.
Compare the Church with ten virgins who, waiting for the bridegroom's arrival, took their lamps to meet him. However, only five of them, besides the lamp, also took care to take a reserve oil pot, while the other five took the lamp, but did not bother to take more oil.
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While they waited, they all fell asleep and woke up only when they heard someone announce the cry of the groom's arrival. Meanwhile, however, the oil in the lamp had run out and while the virgins who used the reserve lamp had their lamps lit, the others remained in the dark and tried in vain who could supply it. When they returned they found the door closed, knocked on the door and asked the Lord to open it, but from inside they said:
"Truly I tell you, I do not know you!"
Matthew 25:12
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It is for us that Jesus speaks with this parable, to warn us that only a part of his people is wise and understood, is preparing for his return and focuses on the Bridegroom, while the other part is distracted, superficial and does not consider it the purpose of his own wife. life. It is that part of the Church that, despite knowing everything mentally, does not live according to what it knows.
What do the lamps represent and what does the oil represent?
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,And light unto my path.
Salms 119:
In the Bible, the lamp represents the Word of God, and as the ten virgins had the lamp, it is a sign that everyone knew the Word, but not all had the same amount of oil. Most likely, this means that some believers have a good deposit of revelation, are aware of the things of God and behave accordingly, while others have a poor store of revelation and do not behave according to His Word.
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Upon his return, Jesus wants to find an awakened Church, but in His infinite wisdom, the Father has not allowed anyone to know the day and time he will return, evidently because he wants the Church to know that he will come, but he does not know exactly when, to keep you awake.
But of that day or that hour knoweth no one, not even the angels in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.Take ye heed, watch [a]and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
Mark 13: 32-33
The oil supply indicates that one must be wise and prepared for the return of the Bridegroom, which will happen without warning, and much can help us pray. In the same way, the pastor adds, we must be careful and adequately prepare ourselves to face the trials of life before they arrive, because they also come without warning.
The concept of the sudden arrival of the Lord is reaffirmed by the apostle Paul.
But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that aught be written unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-2
Jesus Christ is coming soon !!!
