Preparations for the Marriage of the Lamb Part B

 

As the wedding day draws near, all hands are usually on deck to ensure all things are ready and are put in their appropriate places. There is an unusually long hours of calls or discussion with people, peers, family and loved ones to properly ensure there is no loose end. Almost usually, the 24 hour day seems shorter than it has been regularly known, so slipped over itinerary will forcefully be concluded the following day if possible.

In certain parts of the world, it is ethically and/or nationally permissive that the wedding in itself is 'shouty.’ ‘Shouty' in this context means that it allows people to come to the wedding in their tens and hundreds. This could necessitate the designing and printing of the invitation cards and wedding program which requires a whole lot of logistics in executing.

The main preparation centers on the bride and the bridegroom and also their families to a significant extent.  But the bride and the bridegroom have a whole lot to prepare for by making themselves ready for what lies ahead. This preparation exercise could require months to undoubtedly show that these two are ready. In like manner, we will be looking into Matthew 25 and/any other scriptural text that reveals to us what the preparation process really is.

Permit me to highlight three things I’m sure you are quite familiar with. In this 21^st century wedding settings, it is believed that the bridegroom (that is, the husband to be) awaits his bride considering a church setting. But in the marriage of the Lamb, there are things to remember. They are:

1. The bridegroom is ready, as the wedding is ready.
2. The Bridegroom comes for His bride.
3. The bride has to make herself ready.

Anyway, that was just a little diversion into what we might later emphasis. What then is our emphasis as regards Matthew 25? Let’s dive into it. I’m sorry we will necessarily have to take a long reading so that we can see all that the Holy Spirit will be unveiling unto us.

 Matthew 25:1-13, it reads, “[1]then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. [2]And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. [3]They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: [4]But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. [5]While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. [6]And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. [7]Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. [8]And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. [9]But 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. [10]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. [11]Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. [12]But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. [13]Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

Let’s draw out a few points from the above scripture and then we go into the preparation process in Toto. Points to note are:

1. There are ten virgins. These ten are the eligible brides waiting to meet their bridegroom.
2. All ten had lamps and some had extra oil(signifying the Holy Spirit).
3. Five were wise and the other five were foolish.
4. The differentiating factor is whether or not they have oil in their vessels aside their lamps.
5. The bridegroom will definitely come.
6. The moment or hour the bridegroom will come wasn’t nor will it be revealed to His bride.
7. Trimming of lamps is necessary at His arrival.
8. Those that were ready went in with Him.
9. The door will be shut thereafter.
10. Be watchful. Let’s limit it to these ones.

The Preparation Process

The very first necessity is to be His chosen. These ten as seen in the above text were His eligible chosen ones fit to go in with Him to the marriage. These ten were chosen not because He was being partial or segmental or having a sense of spec as we human do. These ones were chosen because they met the requirements of which it wasn’t of themselves.

The next necessary preparation process is having a burning lamp and extra oil enough to keep it lit until He comes. The burning lamp here is not necessarily ones prayer life but I strongly believe it is referring to our faith. You remember Luke 18:8 that says “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” Romans 1:17 says “for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” And Hebrews 10:38 reads “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

The last two scriptures reveals that the burning lamp is our faith and work of faith. The extra oil in the above text implies the Holy Spirit. The practical and experiential workings of faith is executed by the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, neither the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ nor the believing and the confession of faith will amount to righteousness and redemption. It is of great importance to have both. Just as you can neither lit a lamp without oil nor can you make the oil burn without a lamp at least in this context.

Another preparation process is the trimming of lamps. It therefore say to us that we “should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Also considering what 2 Peter 1:5-9 which says “[5]and beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6]And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7]And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. [8]For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9]But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.”

The above scripture tells us what we need to add unto our faith. Meanwhile, there could likewise be things that have crept into our walk of  like the Galatian church, we must get rid of those things. And lastly, we must consciously remind ourselves that He’s coming again soon and ensure we are always ready to meet Him.

Thanks for reading.