ARE YOU AWAKE?

I read a devotional recently titled: The Test of His Coming. To sum it up would be to say that when Jesus arrived on the scene the first time not many people were in the right heart and mind to recognize who he really was. After reading this devotional my mind went directly to the few who were waiving palms around Jesus as he was riding into Jerusalem on the donkey. Can you see this picture! To understand the picture is important. On that day of arrival, very few people recognized that Jesus was indeed the Messiah that all the prophecies were pointing to in the major prophet’s writings. It’s obvious that these people were reading their bibles and were waiting and watching for the prophecy to unfold. I imagine that these people were familiar with the heart beat of the word of God. How else could they be at the gate worshipping and praising Jesus as King already, especially if he was on a donkey? Yes, they recognized Jesus by all the miracles he had done for the 36 months prior, but because they were in the word watching and studying and putting the signs together they were at that very special place; the place where Jesus rode into Jerusalem. I often ask myself and I ask you also: Would we have been one of those at the gate welcoming Jesus as the Messiah, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, as the Long Expected One? Or would we be at church, eating dinner at home, at the local bar, or living in sin? Whatever the case I hope we would be quickened to be AWAKE so we could see where we really needed to be which is at the gate with a palm and a voice proclaiming his praise! Something inside me says we can answer that question now and it’s dependant upon how we are preparing and expecting for his second coming. You see we are now in the same scenario awaiting Jesus’ second coming as the people were in Jesus’ time awaiting his first coming! And now our minds should flash to the story of the Ten Bridesmaids in the gospels. If you don’t know this parable please work to understand it, because it reveals the heart and mind we must be working for in these last days before Jesus returns.

Matthew 25

Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids

1 "Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids* who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.3 The five who were foolish didn't take enough olive oil for their lamps,4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil.5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 "At midnight they were roused by the shout, `Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!' 7 "All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps.8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, `Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.' 9 "But the others replied, `We don't have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.' 10 "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, `Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!' 12 "But he called back, `Believe me, I don't know you!' 13 "So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.

Are you AWAKE? Is your Lampstand trimmed with OIL? If you are not careful and proactive to study the scripture and know its heart beat in context the world we live in today will speak in your ears loudly, flash in your eyes brightly, and will fill your other senses completely drowning out the urgent call to prepare yourself for your Bridegroom. The time is nearly hear when Jesus will ride into this world again. Let’s be AWAKE and TRIMMED with OIL for the Long Awaited One. Do not let your heart be moved or shaken when the things Jesus warned of begin to shake this world. Only let your heart be moved by Jesus Christ through the Holy Bible and the Holy Spirit.