Praise the Lord, Grace & Peace great people of our “Great God”…JESUS

As I observe the signs of the times, i.e. total unrest in the world, earthquakes, Tsunami’s, earthly destruction, turmoil in the Mid East, a great falling away from the body of Christ, etc. It is more than apparent that our Lord Jesus Christ can return for His Church any day, hour, minute, or second from now! People appear to be so aloof and anemic concerning the return of the Lord! Peter let us know in 2Pe. 3:3-4 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

Hence, I began to meditate on parable of the 10 Virgins that Jesus Christ elaborated on, which poses the serious question “Are you staying ready for his return?” For this Golden Nugget I would like to provoke the thought ” Striving to have and Thriving to Maintain a Perpetual JESUS MINDSET” My premise scripture to provoke further gospel provocation are as follows:

Mat 25:1-3  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

My brothers and sisters we approach this discourse where Jesus presents the kingdom of Heaven under the similitude of “ten virgins.” The instruction contained in this most weighty and interesting parable is of a wider application which points directly to whether a Saints profession is true or false.

Note:”Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.”

It is impossible also to read the Epistles to the various churches and not see that the hope of the Lord’s sure and speedy return truly governed the hearts of the Saints in the early day Church!

They anxiously waited for the Son from heaven, as noted in 1Th. 4:13-18  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

They knew that Jesus was to come and take them away, and that they would be with Him forever. The very fact that they had this knowledge, and the power of this hope perpetually, conditioned them to detach their hearts from the things that would bind them to this world. Their bright, heavenly hope caused them to wear the world as a loose garment, and walked with great anticipation as they looked for our Savior’s return.” They believed that He could come at any moment, and hence the concerns of this life were to be kept in its proper perspective. For we are to live in these moments properly as it pertains to holiness, as we thoroughly attend to things deemed necessary while rendering service with full anticipation of the Lords return!

All this is conveyed to our hearts, briefly but clearly, by the expression, “They went forth to meet the bridegroom.” please note according to my studies this could not be intelligently applied to the Jewish remnant, inasmuch as they will not go forth to meet their Messiah, but on the contrary, they will remain in their position, and will remain in their circumstances until Jesus comes and plants His foot on the mount of Olives. They will not look for the Lord to come and take them away from this earth to be with Him in Heaven, but He will come to bring deliverance to them in their own land, and make them happy there under His own peaceful and blessed reign during the millennial age. GOLDEN NUGGET!

But the call to the Saints was to “go forth.” They are supposed to be always on the move; not settling down on earth, but going out in earnest and holy aspirations after that heavenly glory to which we are called, and after the heavenly Bridegroom to whom we are espoused, for whose speedy advent we are taught to wait for in hope.

My brothers and sisters this should always be a Saints attitude and state of mind. There are “tares” (the world who profess to be Christians) as well as “wheat” (the Saints born again by water baptism in the Name of the Lord and the Holy Spirit) in the kingdom of God; but please be aware that there is wheat and chaff in the Kingdom of God. I am of the belief that the 10 virgins represented the wheat and the chaff  because the tare are self proclaimed Christians who have been begotten by the word of God but never came out of the birth canal. The chaff is the Saint who has been born again filled with the Holy Spirit, who walks in carnality and comes against the word of God with their pernicious ways bringing havoc against the doctrine of Christ, and his church in the spirit of rebellion. Please notice what the word says about the chaff… Mat. 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.Psa. 1:1-4 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.   But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Hence we read of these ten virgins, that “five of them were wise, and five were foolish.” These are the true and the false, the genuine and the counterfeit (chaff),  and the real and the hollow as they profess Jesus Christ.

Saints this scenario will continue until Jesus the Bridegroom comes. The tare are not converted into wheat, nor are the foolish virgins converted into wise ones. No, never. The tares will be burnt and the foolish virgins (chaff) will be shut out and miss the rapture, and will appear before the white throne Judgment awaiting to be dispense into the Lake of Fire.

Saints all this will be validated at the end. There were foolish virgins found when the Bridegroom appeared. You may ask why are there so many foolish virgins and wise ones in this parable, if all were brought to the knowledge of what it entailed to maintain the oil in their lamps. The parable of the ten virgins teaches, beyond all questions, that when the bridegroom comes, there will be foolish virgins on the scene, and clearly if there are foolish virgins, all of them cannot be fully converted to the saving of the soul;  because they did not embrace the spiritual maintenance deemed necessary to keep the oil WITH THEM!  GOLDEN NUGGET!

But let us look a little closer  at these foolish virgins. Their history is full of admonition for all the saints. It is very brief, but awfully comprehensive. “They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them.” There is the outward profession, but no inward reality, no spiritual life, no unction, no vital link with the source of eternal life; there was no union with Christ. Wow!…There is nothing but the lamp of profession, and a dry wick of an notional nominal head belief. Lord, please help us to take this walk and spiritual warfare seriously!

This is peculiarly solemn. It bears an tremendous weight upon the vast mass of baptized and spirit filled believers which surround us in this present age; where there is so much outward semblance, but so little inward reality. All appear to profess to be a Saint, under the guise of Grace. The lamp of profession may be seen in every hand; but how few have the oil in their vessels, the spirit of life in Jesus Christ; where the Holy Spirit  is to dwell in their heart and lead them. Without this, all is utterly worthless and vain. There may be those who are of the very highest profession; those of the most orthodox creed; those who may be baptized in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; those who receive the Lord’s supper, those who are Sunday School teachers, those who are ordained licensed minister in various organizations; and those who may be of all the aforementioned. Yet they do not have one spark of divine life, not one ray of heavenly light, nor are they linked to Jesus Christ our Lord. GOLDEN NUGGET!

My brothers and sisters there is something peculiarly awful in the thought of having just enough religion to deceive the heart, deaden the conscience and ruin the soul; just enough of an religious experience to give it a name; while dead at the same time. Hence when the Bridegroom comes, their eyes will be opened, but it will be too late.

Saints please notice something specifically about the foolish virgins. They seem to be very like the wise ones. An ordinary observer might not be able to see any difference, for the time being. They all start out together. All have lamps, and, moreover, all turn aside to slumber and sleep; the wise as well as the foolish. All rise up at the midnight cry, and trim their lamps. Thus far there is no apparent difference. The foolish virgins light their lamps, i.e. the lamp of profession which is lit up with a dry wick of a lifeless, notional, nominal faith; which is a worse than worthless thin fatal soul destroying delusion! For the word states: 2Th. 2:7-11  For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

My brothers and sisters this is a powerful distinction and a broad line of demarcation which is revealed with appalling clearness. “The foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are going out.” This proves that their lamps had been lit, for if they had not been lit, they would not of been able to go out. But it was only a false, flickering, transient light. It was not fed from a divine source. It was the light of a mere lip profession, lasting just long enough to deceive themselves and others. Their light went out the very moment when they needed it most, leaving them in the dreadful darkness of eternal night. The word of God will always validate itself;  Mat. 7:16-20  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?   Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Notice their statement “Our lamps are going out.” What a terrible discovery! “The Bridegroom is at hand, and Our lamps are going out. Our hollow profession is being made manifest by the light of His coming. We thought we were all right. We professed the same faith, had the same shaped lamp, the same kind of wick, but we now find to our unspeakable horror, that we have been deceiving ourselves, that we lack the one thing needful, the spirit of life in Christ, the unction from the Holy One, the living link with the Bridegroom. What shall we do? O ye wise virgins, take pity upon us, and share with us your oil. Please, do, for mercy’s sake, give us a little, even one drop of this all essential thing, so that we will not perish forever.”

Saints this is all utterly vain, for no one can give their oil to another. Each has just enough for themselves.  A man can give light, but he cannot give oil. The latter is the gift of God alone. “The wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you” but go ye rather to them that sell and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage; and the door was shut.” It is of no use looking to our Christian friends to help us or prop us up. There is no use in going here and there to lean upon a holy man, or some eminent teacher; we need and should value the oil. We cannot do without it. Where are we to get it? Not from man, not from the church, not from the saints, not from our Apostolic fathers. We must get it from God; and He, blessed be His name, gives it freely. “The Gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” GOLDEN NUGGET!

But  mark it is an individual thing. Each must have their own. No one can believe, or get life for another. Each one must get it for themselves. The link which connects the soul with Christ is intensely individual. There is no such thing as second hand faith. A man may teach us religion, or theology, or the letter of scripture; but he cannot give us oil; he cannot give us faith; he cannot give us life. “It is the gift of God.” This precious little word, “gift.” It is like God. It is free as God’s air; free as His sunlight; free as His refreshing dew drops. But, as a pastor I repeat and always with solemn emphasis say, each one must get it for themselves. Psa. 49:7-9 “None can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him that he should still live forever and not see corruption. For the redemption of their soul is precious and it ceaseth forever”.

Saints I earnestly beseech you to think seriously about these things. Think of them now! Think how unspeakably dreadful it will be to find your lamp of profession going out and leaving you in obscure darkness of an everlasting night. How terrible to find the door shut behind that brilliant  and glorious train of the Bride (the Church) which will go in to the marriage; but yet be shut in your face! How agonizing the cry, “Lord, Lord, open the door unto us!” How devastating and how crushing will be the response, “I know you not.”

My beloved brethren and sisters in the Lord, wake up! Let every soul be roused. Let us shake off the sloth and the slumber of worldly ease and self-indulgence, let us rise above the withering influence of religious formality and lifeless routines, let us fling aside the dogmas of false theology and Socratic mind sets derived from our personal ungodly opinions with rebellious mindsets; and let us go forth in the Holy Spirit, so that He can  guide our minds and the affections of our heart to meet our Bridegroom. May these closing solemn words of this Golden Nugget come with fresh power to our souls, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour.” May the language of our hearts and our lives be, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” This is why I’m “Striving to have and Thriving to Maintain a Perpetual JESUS MINDSET” what about YOU? God Bless, and have a “JESUS DAY”