https://www.findshepherd.com/parable-of-the-wise-virgins.html
Jesus may come back at any time, not even Nostradamus can tell us when. Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven will be like 10 virgins with lamps waiting for the bridegroom (Matthew 25). It seems odd to us now--what do virgins, lamps and polygamy have to do with the Kingdom of Heaven? Jesus used images his contemporaries would have understood. The 'virgins' represent the people joyfully, eagerly awaiting the 'bridegroom' to come and take them to the celebration.
Jesus continued, saying that half of the virgins wisely brought extra oil for their lamps, but the others foolishly did not. "The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep." (vs. 5) The foolish ones had run out of oil and had to go get more, while the wise ones were ready for the wedding...
"Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." (vs. 11-13)
The Bible warns us that we need to be ready. We feel the need more in these uncertain times. But how do you prepare for the end of the world? The first thing to do is get right with God. I have already explained this in earlier posts, but I will outline the steps again.
-Repent of your sins and ask for forgiveness.
-Accept Jesus as your savior who cleanses away our unrighteousness.
-Ask the Holy Spirit to come into your life and make you a new person.
-Walk daily in relationship with God, praying, reading the Bible and listening for his direction.
Becoming a Christian is a vital first step, but there is more that God expects of us, to keep running the race...
Next Jesus told the parable of the bags of gold starting in vs 14. A man getting ready to leave on a journey entrusts each of his three servants with different amounts of gold, according to their different abilities. After a long journey, he comes back to see how the servants did. The first two invested the gold and doubled it. The rich man said to each "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!" (vs. 23)
But the last servant was afraid and did nothing with his gold, earned no profits. The rich man decided--"So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (vs. 28-30)
So what does the gold represent? It could be any good thing that God blesses us with--wealth, talent, opportunity, even family. It is crucial that we recognize that these things come from God and that they don't last forever. We need to make the most of them and not waste the opportunity. Does this mean we need to buy stocks and bonds or real estate? Should we pile up more and more money in the bank? No. Jesus makes it clear that earthly things do not last. He wants us to invest in His Kingdom-- one that lasts forever.
We need to invest our wealth, talents and time in His Kingdom. We need to find every chance to show our friends and family that we love them and God loves them. What rejoicing fills heaven when a lost lamb is returned to the flock! So Carpe Dium! Seize the Day!
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Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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