A  Bride Prepared      

The Door is Closing…

Let us take very careful notice of Christ’s words spoken to the foolish virgins because His words are for now – and they are for us!   “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes.”  (Mat 25:13)  The ironic thing is that these words are meant as an urgent warning to us – so that we will not be foolish virgins, as others who have already missed out on the wedding supper!  It is too late for some – but it is not too late for us!

Could it be that much of the Church of God is not heeding the obvious warnings that God is directing to His end-time Church?  Please realize that we face the same spiritual threats that endangered the first century Church.  “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”  (Jude :3)

Do not take it for granted that we already have the full measure of faith spoken of here.  It is clear that Jude is admonishing the brethren who should have been striving mightily to hold on to the original pure truth that was given to them.  They were the true Church, and they had lost the knowledge and the practice of the true faith they once held and cherished.  How could they have lost faith?  Can it happen to us?  Are we so arrogant as to presume that we are doing everything right – thinking we are spiritually rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing? (Revelation 3:17)

Paul warned against this kind of arrogancy.  “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”  (Romans 12:3)  The context of Paul’s warning is that we are all members of the one Body of Christ.

Like so many in the Church today, those early brethren had ceased living up to the moral excellence that true faith demands of us.  And so it is happening again today with too many brethren only warming a seat at services and going through the motions.  They are the five sleeping virgins of Matthew 25 who lacked oil for their lamps.  They are not exercising God’s Holy Spirit in their day-to-day activities.  That is the very reason that God exhorts us today to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.  Faith demands action!

Time is Short

“While the [foolish] virgins went to buy [oil], the Bridegroom came; and the [wise] virgins that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut. [The door is permanently closed.]  Afterward came also the [foolish] virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  But He answered and said; truly I say unto you, I do not know you.”   (Matthew 25:10-12) 

When Christ returns, the opportunity to be firstfruits will have elapsed.  It will then be too late to prepare to meet the Bridegroom.  Make no mistake about it, now is the only time to prepare.  When the end comes upon us, will we be firmly founded and rooted in Christ and able to withstand the final trials?  Could it be that the door is about to close on us?  We know that an acceptable faith among the brethren will be rare indeed.  “When the Son of man comes, shall He find faith on the earth?”  (Luke 18:8) 

Could it be that Jesus finds little faith when He returns – due partly to the lack of spiritual meat the brethren are receiving?  “Faith comes by hearing, [good sermons from the Bible] and hearing by the Word of God.”  (Romans 10:17)  God describes the final spiritual famine as one in which the brethren do not even know what they are missing.  “You say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”  (Revelation 3:17) 

We live in the very last days.  The time of the marriage supper is very close.  Jesus Christ will soon knock.  “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”  (Revelation 3:20)   But the Scriptures are clear – many of the Church brethren will be spiritually unprepared to meet the Bridegroom at the time of His return.  Jesus says that His return will catch some of the saints – possibly half of the brethren – unprepared.  Verse 13 is a warning given in love, “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man comes.” 

Why does God call them foolish virgins?  It is because they foolishly believe that they have it made.  In their spiritual slumber, they do not remain vigilant until the return of Christ.  They are not doing what it takes to have a Christian relationship with their Creator God and their fellow brethren.  They assume that they are prepared, or they think that they can get ready at the last possible moment.

A Spiritual Relationship

How could Jesus possibly say to the five foolish virgins, “I know you not?”   The answer is that they take for granted that they are just as entitled and prepared to marry the Bridegroom as the five wise virgins, who have a truly spiritual relationship with God. 

It is not only the members who fall into this deceptive trap.  Ministers are just as likely to consider themselves to be the elite – perhaps more so.  Some think, “Because of my rank and years of service, I am uniquely qualified and closer to God.”  Many came into the Church when there was an over-emphasis on church government and hierarchical authority over the members.  With all due respect, much of the ministry thought of themselves very much like European royalty – not subject to the same rules as the rank and file.  Yes, those in the first resurrection will be royalty in the Kingdom of God, but now is not the time to practice or exhibit a holier-than-thou elitism. 

Those “privileged” ministers would not be seen in public until they were well coiffed, manicured, and in their three-piece suits.  This is not being critical – that is just the way it was, and still is for some.  You might say, “What is wrong with that picture?”  What is wrong is that Jesus taught and exhibited just the exact opposite!

The Bride is a Servant

Contrast that depiction of the well-groomed ministry with the factual picture of Jesus Christ; without His coat, on His hands and knees, washing the disciple’s feet as an example of how ministers should be servants.  “[Jesus] rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself... and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded… For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”  (John 13:4, 15)   “For who is greater, he that sits at meat, or He that serveth? Is it not he that sits at meat? But I am among you as He that serves.”  (Luke 22:27)  Jesus set aside His glory and power to come to earth for the purpose of serving mankind. 

Jesus lowered Himself from God the Father’s presence – and lower than the angels – even lower than mankind.  He became the servant of mankind to save us.  And, He said that we should do the same!  Unfortunately, Satan’s mind-set of being totally unwilling to lower himself to serve, prevails all too often with self-serving mankind.  When Satan realized that he would be subservient to men – he rebelled and fell from his first estate as one of the covering cherubs over God’s throne (Jude :6, Ezekiel 28:16).  Are we able to lower ourselves beneath everyone – in order to serve as Jesus gave us example?  Do we even understand what the foot-washing entails?  There is a deeper meaning in the foot-washing than humbling ourselves for a few minutes down on the floor.

The Bride Washes Feet

The meaning behind the foot-washing ceremony is so important that Jesus made it a requirement for our salvation.  The foot-washing symbolizes our renewed commitment to walk in the newness of life that we made at our baptism.  And more than that, God also requires us to help other brethren to be clean before Him.  When a brother or sister has strayed and allowed a serious sin to enter their life – we must serve them by going to their spiritual rescue – no matter what it takes – that is laying down our lives for the brethren. 

How do so many miss that clear lesson?  Even those who speak of servant leadership continue to perform in the same old ways.  In contrast to Jesus’ positive example for us, why does so much of the ministry continue to believe that it is necessary to put on an air of preeminence and sophistication?  Is it more important to maintain that pretentious appearance than to follow Christ’s pattern of humble service?  Jesus’ example was to lay aside His true preeminence and become the lowest servant – even laying down His life for us.  “Jesus Christ, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant.”  (Philippians 2:6-7) 

This is not a new revelation – almost every one of those ministers would say that they understood that concept of serving.  It is just that they insisted on serving from a position of superiority.  That is specifically what Jesus taught against!  “[Jesus] sat down, and called the twelve, and said unto them, If any man desires to be first, the same shall be least of all, and servant of all… Whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all… For even the Son of man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  (Mark 9:35, 10:44-45) 

Over and over, Jesus taught His disciples that they were not to be the ones catered to, but rather that they should dedicate their lives to the self-sacrificing service of the brethren.  Sadly, even after so many years, some in the ministry still twist Jesus’ words, and conclude that they are better able to serve so many more from their high positions of dominance.  Their lofty perch places them in a rather awkward position to teach the ordinary “lowly” brethren.  Ministers can be foolish virgins, too. 

But, learn to serve and love one another, we must – ministers and brethren alike!  Jesus did it.  So must we.  That is why God the Father has called us into His Church at this time.  “For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.”  (1 Peter 2:21)  Are we able to lower ourselves to be servants of all?

Chapter 5: Bone of my Bones and Flesh of my Flesh