Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Tim. 2:15
We all want to “stay in the know”. I mean, it’s important to remain ahead of current events so we can share our Biblical insights as if we have some type of privy. It’s kind of impressive, especially at parties and cookouts. But, how much work does all that “staying” require?
What are the right subscriptions, scriptures, and doctrines needed as Christ followers to remain fully abreast in this ever-changing culture? Jesus taught an important parable regarding watchfulness. While the teaching does not teach a segregation, it does point to distinction. Let’s read Matthew 25:
“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
After reading this, we tend to look within ourselves, to admonish how wise we are while we watch and wait for our Blessed Lord. The parable revolves around being ready for His coming, having been raptured or resurrected into His presence for the Wedding feast. Maybe if we look at this story with the “objective” versus the “subjective” it would help with the preparedness required to enter.
First, being foolish (virgin) doesn’t make them false (they’ve all the same nature) – just not prudent. To be objective in our beliefs only, is to reckon we already have enough supply (Luke 14:28) without awareness of the continual state of disorder in the creation of which we are a part. Sapping our supply would be the false belief: that if our lamp is full, so ought also we. For us to just “reckon” we are a more practical people than most, or have mentally apprehended Christ is good enough, these also are considered foolish.
Subjective faith, is saturated faith. It is a continuous faith. (Zech. 4:6;12) The supply of oil needed for adequate watchfulness, or preparedness, comes from “presence”. Spending enough time soaking in ‘His Presence’ by daily taking up your peculiar portion of the Bread of Life, and sitting long enough to receive (adequate/ consistent) supply is a requirement for entrance. Why? Because it’s the only way you can be ready. For anything. Objective readiness is only watching the headlines, and declaring “here” or “there” (Luke 17:20) and while away, discovering we missed out.
The painful thought of Him saying “Depart from me, for I never knew you” is not related to losing your salvation, but rather, God is not united with that state, with the creation (virgin) in that (objective) condition. It is contrary to His intention and therefore He is not linked with it.
Verse 5 assures us we all become drowsy, or sick, and even experience death while waiting. Real preparedness comes about in verse 6 with the “midnight”. The darkest part of the night of waiting. What will we look like at that hour? when it grows darker? How much supply do you have if you had no longer had daily devotions, or because church services became outlawed? What if losing freedom to express religion became a reality? How much are you and I saturated with Him to get through that dark hour?
The admonition for all of us, whether we “think” we know or not, is clear in verse 13. “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour”.
