Matt 25:1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But 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. 10And 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. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Those who think we will all "meet on the way up" regardless of obedience, regardless of our faith, regardless of our respect for the Word might be in for a rude awakening. The Lord is not playing here as evidenced by His statement "I know you not." For those who are slow, that's called the cold shoulder. He is saying I don't know you and the door is slammed in their face. Its eerily similar to the other bone chilling scripture here:
Matt 7:21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
I don't know how people can read these words without trembling. The difference between Matt 25 and Matt 7 is in Matt 7 He tells them He never knew them, in Matt 25 He tells them now He doesn't know them. Two people tell each other "I love you" and one goes away only to come back and find the other one moving on with life, with no expectation, no anticipation for the arrival of the beloved. That's a problem that translates to "Okay, I don't really know you after all. I thought you loved me?"
What did the Lord say about those who love Him?
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And what command did He give us over, and over, and over again? Watch for my unexpected return:
Matt 25:10And 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. 11Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Luke 21:34And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the
angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.
33Take ye heed, watch and
pray: for ye know not when the time is. 34For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave
authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter
to watch. 35Watch ye therefore: for ye
know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at
the cockcrowing, or in the morning: 36Lest coming suddenly he
find you sleeping. 37And what I say unto you I
say unto all, Watch.
He could not have been more clear, watch for His unexpected return continually (which
includes today and tomorrow etc).
grace and peace
