READY FOR JESUS – READY FOR REVIVAL
Here’s a story to teach you something about how to relate properly to the kingdom of heaven – that is Jesus’s kingdom – not heaven after you die, but the operation of heaven in the world today.
Matthew 25v1-13
It’s like ten bridesmaids who took their oil lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were wise and five were foolish.
Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil along with them.
But the wise ones took oil in their containers with their lamps.
The bridegroom took his time and they all became drowsy and went to sleep.
In the middle of the night a cry arose, “Look! The bridegroom is coming! Go out to meet him!”
Then all those bridesmaids arose and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish ones said to the wise ones, “Give to us from your oil for our lamps are going out.”
But the wise answered, “Never! There wouldn’t be enough for us and you; but go rather to those that sell, and buy for yourselves.”
And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast – and the door was shut.
Afterwards the other bridesmaids came too, saying, “Lord, Lord, open the door to us.”
But he answered and said, “I’m telling you honestly, I don’t know you.”
Watch out then, because you don’t know the day or the hour in which the Son of man is coming.
Bridegroom Lessons:
1. Jesus has revival already planned.
2. Jesus will come to us.
3. Jesus is taking his time.
4. Jesus has our active involvement in mind.
5. Jesus will decide your place in it all.
Foolish Bridesmaids Lessons:
1. Take the long view.
2. Beware of inappropriate dependence.
3. If you do not prepare, you will not fulfil.
4. Good work done at the wrong time can be fruitless.
5. Don’t miss it. Be in time.
Wise Bridesmaids Lessons:
1. Jesus being longer than expected does not mean he is not coming.
2. Get all the Holy Spirit resources you can to use for however long it takes.
3. You don’t always have to be “doing” something.
4. Work on having yourself ready for Jesus with something to use for him when he comes.
5. You have a personal responsibility to be ready in fellowship with other like-minded people.
Holy Spirit Lessons:
1. It is dark but we each have a lit torch.
2. The Holy Spirit has already got us on the move.
3. There may be a long wait after the first call but the need for immediate action after the second.
4. The Holy Spirit prefers half to be fully ready rather than everyone half ready.
5. Look out for the signs. Listen out for His call.